It is officially time to give up on supermarkets for your bottled beer needs in Prague. There are a number of specialty beer shops that carry a wide selection of beer from different brewers in a range of styles. These shops also bring with them friendly and helpful staff in an environment that gives beer the attention it deserves. Here, we will take a look at some of the best in town; there is sure to be one near you.
The funky little pivotéka (beer shop) known as Base Camp is on the Bubeneč/Letna border and is just a short walk from Letenské náměstí; this is one of my favorite bottle shops around.
Honza, the owner, is always willing to point out what’s new and what’s hot. I find Base Camp to consistently have some of the best prices on specialty beers in Prague, which makes it the perfect place to stop in for a few bottles to go with your evening meal.
Unfortunately, they do not have any taps at the shop, but all beers are kept cold and they will be happy to open any bottle and provide you with a glass. There are two large tables in the main room and one big community table in the back ‘Michael Jackson’ room (the king of pop, not the beer guru). Smoking is allowed in the back only.
Pivkupectví has been in business for over two years now, and is attached to the very popular Zlý Časy. This little shop has an impressive (and still growing) selection, fair prices, and a reputation for quality. Also, Mike at Odddog.cz has helped their selection of imports become unbeatable, with names like Mikkeller and Nøgne Ø. Dana behind the counter is friendly, knowledgeable, and ready to help in Czech or English. They do not have any taps in the shop, but they don’t need them when Zlý Časy is just 2 doors down. Pivkupectví is in the running for best bottle shop in Prague.
Pivní Rozmanitost has quickly made a name for itself, and for good reason. The selection is amazing, and keeps getting better. They carry a lot of hard-to-find imports along with some of the best Czech beers around, and all at very fair prices. They have also set themselves apart by offering interesting beers from the two taps they have in the shop.
You will normally find one beer from Pivovar Nomád (which stems from this shop), and one from another Czech cult brewery. For example, on my last visit they had the Falkon IPA from the very new Pivovar Falkon. For the home-brewer, Pivní Rozmanitost has brewing ingredients available. Stop in to see what’s on tap, and walk away with bottles you didn’t expect.
Pivovarský Klub is one of those places that has got it all. Great food, six taps upstairs and six downstairs serving an above-average selection of beers, and over 200 local and imported bottles to choose from.
Prices are a bit on the high side, but this clean, well run, non-smoking pub/bottle shop is a must-stop.
Operating for just seven months now makes Pivní Mozaika the newest bottle shop in Prague. I don’t make it out to Libeň very often, so I have to thank my friend Rex T. for the heads up on this clean, well laid-out shop with a fun browsing atmosphere. I always like when a shop has a couple of taps, and Pivní Mozaika comes through. Out of the two taps in the shop only one was flowing, pouring Primátor English Pale Ale. Primátor is a fine choice, but I feel a bottle shop should dig a little deeper into the well of Czech beers. Either way, this excellent little shop is here to stay.
This is another relatively new shop, less than a year old. They have a selection of Czech beers from 14 different breweries and a number of taps usually serving beers from Žatecky, Holba, and Zubr.
It’s great place to stop for a quick lunch (the outdoor seating area is very nice) and a few well-priced Czech beers; bottles are between 15 and 30 CZK.
Pivní Galerie was one of the first bottle shops in Prague, and now feels a bit out-of-date to me.
There is a dimly-lit room to the side of the shop with 6 tables, 2 taps, and beer snacks; smoking is allowed in this room. Pivní Galerie is a little pricey but worth a stop for a few bottles or beer paraphernalia if you are in the area.
This is an overpriced trap with a selection that lacks character, though in their 20 years of business they have proven their staying power.
9. U Pivní Lahve
Another newer shop that was at Lucemburská 30, but has seemingly, overnight, become a potraviny. I have not yet found where or if they are moving. If you know, please feel free to share the information. Or, you can watch their facebook page.
The specialty beer shops in Prague have added yet another new element to the booming beer scene, and each one is worth a visit. You never know what new beers you may find or what old favorites you will walk away with. As always, if I have left out your local or favorite pivotéka please share with us, and let’s keep the beer flowing.