Tour organizers speak out against ban on pub crawls in Prague

On Monday, the Prague City Council approved a ban on pub crawls, nightly tours of pubs and bars organized by specialized agencies, through a new regulation that will take effect once it is published in the Collection of Legal Regulations. Organizers of these pub crawls are protesting the decision.

The Prague 1 district, which covers the historical center of the city and is most affected by noisy, drunken tourists, was a major proponent of the ban. Local residents have long complained about the disturbances caused by these groups.

Prague Deputy Mayor Zdeněk Hřib (Pirates) said the proposal was discussed with the Prague 1 District Town Hall, the Prague City Tourism municipal company, and representatives of licensed tour guides, who will still be allowed to operate between 6 a.m. and 10 p.m.

“The guides had no objections to the ban at all," added Deputy Mayor Jiří Pospíšil (TOP 09).

Expats.cz reached out to the owner of a well-established Prague pub crawl agency, which has operated in the city for 14 years, to get their reaction to the new law.

“We feel that getting rid of organized pub crawl tours after 10 p.m. – their sole job is to keep people quiet on the streets and help enforce local laws by working with the police – will make things worse overall,” they said.

They also commented: "Sadly, the mayor and city officials don't seem to care about cooperation. They are only interested in scoring political points by passing an amendment that will make the city less safe and actually more noisy."

The ban was achieved by amending the city’s market regulations, which govern where commercial activities can take place. The amendment prohibits the “touring provision of services,” which includes pub crawls, except for guided tours operating between 6 a.m. and 10 p.m.

The city justified the ban based on the negative consequences of pub crawls, including noise disturbances, increased trash in public spaces, and the need for greater security enforcement. The City Council also cited concerns about Prague’s reputation, noting that the regular presence of groups of intoxicated tourists negatively impacts the city’s image.

A Prague representative for two of the UK’s leading stag and hen party providers also spoke with Expats.cz.

“It’s a bit of a half-hearted ban,” said Simon Old. “Whilst they [Prague politicians] are well within their rights to try and curb anti-social behavior, people will just do their own pub crawls or do them earlier on," he added.

“Being a destination that has profited for years on its reputation for being a bit of a party city, it seems like they’re trying to have their cake and eat it with this new law. I don’t think it will deter stags and hens from heading to Prague at all," he concluded.

The Prague Pub Crawl agency, a separate company affected by the ban, also criticized the decision. In a statement, the agency argued that its clients spend minimal time outside and are instructed by guides to remain quiet after 10 p.m.

Those who do not comply are removed from the tour. The agency also pointed out that the last venue on their tour is visited at midnight, with the event concluding by 12:30 a.m.

“The ban is merely a populist move to cover up the city management’s inability to address real issues, such as the lack of municipal police officers to enforce nighttime peace,” the agency said in its statement.

Prague 1 has long dealt with the challenges of "alcohol-related tourism,” particularly with young foreign visitors who come to the city to drink. The district also faces general problems related to overtourism.

According to the Czech Statistical Office, 7.4 million tourists stayed in hotels and guesthouses in Prague last year, a 25 percent increase year over year in a city with a population of 1.3 million.

While its vibrant nightlife and party culture contribute significantly to Prague's appeal as a tourist destination, Prague continues to fight the unhealthy effects related to alcohol-related tourism.

Recently, the tragic death of a British man during a stag-party trip has highlighted the need for responsible tourism practices, which Prague is now trying to implement.