Prague 1 wants to ban pub crawls to help curb late-night disruptions

Prague 1 is aiming to take additional measures to help improve the quality of life for its residents. Following a controversial late-night ban on cars through some streets in the city center, district leaders have called on the city to ban the pub crawls, Prague 1 spokesperson Karolína Šnejdarová tells Czech News Agency.

Pub crawls, which have become increasingly popular in Prague over recent years, involve groups of tourists moving from bar to bar, organized by specialized agencies. Residents in the city center have long complained about these organized bar tours, citing constant disturbances from groups of drunk and noisy tourists moving through the streets late at night.

“In Prague, these activities negatively impact public spaces, the economy, and social relations," says Prague 1 Mayor Terezie Radoměřská. "They tarnish the city's image as a cultured destination."

To enforce the ban, Prague 1 plans to use a market order, a city regulation that determines where commercial activities can take place. The city council must approve it. The amendment proposed by Prague 1 would prohibit the provision of itinerant services, including pub crawls, from 10 p.m. to 6 a.m.

However, guided tours with commentary would be exempt from the ban, meaning late-night cultural tours would still be able to operate.

Another proposal from Prague 1 addresses the issue of "umbrella sellers," who sell tickets for tourist buses despite a ban by claiming they are part of charity fundraising. The council argues that ticket sellers for tourist buses are exploiting this law. Prague city officials have yet to respond.

President Petr Pavel recently signed an amendment into law allowing municipalities to ban the promotion of such fundraisers through ticket or item sales in certain areas starting January next year. Prague 1 leadership suggests implementing this restriction throughout the entire heritage reserve.

“Banning certain types of fundraisers that use dubious practices can significantly improve the space of the Prague heritage reserve," says Giancarlo Lamberti, chair of the financial committee of Prague 1. "The behavior of some entities, typically umbrella sellers, is also unfair to those who follow the rules.”

Efforts by locals to fight tourism in crowded European destinations have made headlines this summer, with mass protests in cities like Barcelona. Prague has been specifically grappling with issues related to "alcotourism," where mainly young foreigners visit the Czech capital to consume alcohol, as well as over-tourism, with the city center becoming inundated with visitors.

Last year, 7.4 million tourists stayed in hotels and guesthouses in Prague, a 25 percent increase year-on-year, according to the Czech Statistical Office. This figure does not include additional visitors using platforms like Airbnb, whose stays may not be reported by property owners.