Let's Go Europe 2019. Harvard Student Agencies

Vinohrady crowd. Each burger has a juicy and tender patty between a warm and toasty bun, both of which are impaled with a giant steak knife instead of a measly toothpick. We found the tiger-prawn-topped Surf and Turf burger to be a revelation. The bathrooms are stocked with cotton wool and Q-tips, which may or may not come in handy for a less-than-clean backpacker such as yourself.

       i Burgers from 209Kč; wheelchair accessible

       NIGHTLIFE

       NEONE

      Bubenská 1477/1, Holešovice; 723 063 209; open F-Sa 10pm-6am

      Devoid of drunken tourists and trashy music, Neone is an electronic music lover’s dream and a British bachelor party’s worst nightmare. Originally created as a temporary venue, Neone was so popular amongst the more artsy and hip locals that it became a permanent fixture of Prague’s nightlife scene. Found at the bottom of Holešovice, the club occupies an unsuspecting, office-like building, identifiable by the façade’s green neon “N.” It draws the most cutting-edge electronic DJs and producers from across Europe, and mesmerizing visual art projections usually accompany their sets. With its DIY-attitude and communal feel, Neone is possibly the closest thing you’ll find to a Berlin-esque club in Prague.

       i Cover 130Kc; cash only, limited wheelchair accessibility

       CLUB ROXY

      Dlouhá 33, Stare Mesto; 608 060 745; www.roxy.cz; open daily 11pm-5am

      Karlovy Lazne, the five-story club next to Charles Bridge, is the symbol of the trashy side of Prague’s nightlife, and, unless you’re the kind of person who likes doing things “for the experience,” should be avoided. However, for those wanting to experience Prague’s mainstream clubbing scene without a tourist trap reputation and a 200Kč entrance fee, Club Roxy is a worthy alternative. Near the north of Stare Mesto, the club boasts a massive, techno/house-heavy dance floor and a crowd of tourists and locals alike. People of all ages flock here as if it’s Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade. If you like minimal entry fees and, by club standards, cheap drinks, you’ll have a lot to be thankful for.

       i Cover up to 250Kc, beer from 50Kc, wine from 45Kč, shots from 65Kč, cocktails from 95Kč; cash only, limited wheelchair accessibility

       CROSS CLUB

      Plynární 1096/23, Holešovice; 736 535 053; www.crossclub.cz; open daily 2pm-5am

      Cross Club evokes Optimus Prime deciding to go steampunk and, due to violating the sleek Autobot aesthetic, being subsequently broken down into his constituent parts, which were then sold to the villain from Mad Max and used to furnish a local resto-bar-club. Once you’ve figured out how to navigate the multiple floors of this labyrinthine complex, you’ll find it full of punks, hippies, locals, and tourists, all of whom are looking for something more alternative than Prague’s mainstream nightlife offerings. The music spans several genres and is blasted out of one of the best sound systems in the city.

       i Beer from 22Kc, cocktails from 66Kc; cash only; BGLTQ+ friendly

       KLUB UJEZD

      Újezd 422/18, Mala Strana; 251 510 873; www.klubujezd.cz; open daily 2pm-4am

      Klub Ujezd must be on a sea monster diet, because as soon as you step inside this bar, you see monsters. Sea monsters. The Loch Ness monster protrudes from the yellow walls, while other mythical creatures hang from the ceiling and coil around the light bulbs. Play some foosball, and shout your drink order across the steampunk-y barrier that separates you from the bartender, or venture down into the stone-cobbled basement where things get a little grungier. Regularly hosting live music, DJs, and art exhibitions, Klub Ujezd is one of the most beloved spots west of the Vltava River.

       i Beer and spirits from 30Kč, shots from 49Kč; cash only, limited wheelchair accessibility

       VLKOVA 26

      Vlkova 699/26, Zizkov; open Tu-Sa 8pm-3am

      The cool kids of Prague wouldn’t touch a lot of the bars and pubs in Old Town with a ten-foot pole. So where are the bars they touch? Well, of course, there’s Holešovice, but there’s also the even more local and residential neighborhood of Žižkov, in the heart of which you’ll find Vlkova 26. A minimal and candle-lit space, replete with concrete walls and leather couches, you’ll find an indie/hip hop/electronic-spinning DJ. During the weekdays, the bar is vibrant, but not crowded. But when the weekend comes around, Vlkova 26’s bar is full and the dance floor is FULL (Fun, Underground, Lively, Life-affirming).

       i Cocktails from 100Kc; cash only

       VZORKOVNA

      Národní 339/11, Nové Město; open M-F 5pm-3am, Sa-Su 6pm-3am

      In both the below street level-sense and the shabby and coolsense, Vzorkovna is an underground playground. You’ll pass a circle of swings suspended from the ceiling, walk through a brightly-lit room with three back-to-back foosball tables and leather seats nailed to the wall, eventually stumbling on a series of grimy rooms plastered in graffiti and strewn with antiques with the only source of light coming from the string of fairy lights snaking around the exposed pipes overhead. You’ll encounter shirtless punks, 20-something hipsters, bachelorette parties, and a comically large dog. The drinks aren’t half bad either. One bar specializes in craft beers served in mason jars while another brews tea.

       i Beer from 30Kč

      CZECHIA ESSENTIALS

       VISAS

      Czechia is a member of the EU and the Schengen area. Citizens from Australia, Canada, New Zealand, the US, and many other non-EU countries do not require a visa for stays up to 90 days. However, if you plan to spend time in other Schengen countries, note that the 90-day period applies cumulatively to all of them.

       MONEY

      Currency: Although Czechia is a member of the EU, it is not in the Eurozone and uses the Czech Koruna (Kc or CZK) as its currency. ATMs can be found in shopping malls, banks, and most public spaces. Avoid currency exchanges at airports and use ATMs instead. The best currency exchanges are those that advertise the “buy” and “sell” rates, which allow you to calculate exactly how much you will receive and don’t charge a commission fee. To find out what out-of-network or international fees your credit or debit cards may be subjected to, call your bank.

      Tipping and Bargaining: In restaurants, tips are usually not included in the bill, so it’s customary to tip 10-15% for good service. Another way to tip is to round your bill to the nearest 10Kč and then add 10% of the total. When you pay the bill, include the tip. A 10% tip for taxis is acceptable. It is not customary to leave tips on the table before you leave. Bargaining is only done in open-air markets or antique shops.

       SAFETY AND HEALTH

      Local Laws and Police: Czech police have a reliable reputation and you should not hesitate to contact them if needed. Be sure to carry your passport with you, as police have the right to ask for identification. However, police can sometimes be unhelpful if you’re the victim of a currency exchange scam, in which case it’s best to seek advice from your embassy or consulate.

      Drugs and Alcohol: If you carry insulin, syringes, or any prescription drugs on your person, you must also carry a copy of the prescription and a doctor’s note. The drinking age is 18. There is a zero-tolerance policy for people who drive under the influence, meaning that the legal blood alcohol content