Prague

One of Europe's top tourist destinations, the beauty of this city — and its inhabitants — make it a must for gay adventurers

The capital of the Czech Republic, Prague is an architectural gem. With a millennium of history carved in stone, the "City of 100 Spires" is a fairytale-like wonderland on the Vltava River. Originally five separate towns, Prague’s historic center has eye-popping sights around every corner.

Prague has by far the largest, most stylish, and most international nightlife for gay people in Eastern Europe. And make no mistake about it, Czechs do like to party. Often as strikingly handsome as guys in Bel Ami videos, they're an outgoing, uninhibited, and refreshingly forthright people.

Venturing just a bit off the beaten path can lead to some surprisingly exotic encounters. Outside the tourist areas, you'll find fewer places where people speak anything other than Czech. But find a common tongue, or improvise a new one over a few beers, and you'll have some truly engaging experiences.

Sexual conformity is far less common here. The straight and gay worlds are more integrated, so bars, cafes, and relationships are far less likely to be labeled one way or another. While there have been same-sex registered partnerships since 2006, this year will see the city's first gay pride celebration, August 10-14, 2011. Rainbow flags are rarely displayed, but public spaces here remain places where people aren’t afraid to strike up a conversation with a stranger. With a modicum of courtesy you're unlikely to offend anyone by taking an interest in them, sexually or otherwise.

 

Getting here

Prague's Ruzyne Airport, the country's main international gateway, is about 10 miles northwest of the city center. Taxis to the center can be pricey, around $35 to $40. Shuttle buses and municipal buses are cheaper options.

The main train station, near Wenceslas Square, has connections with most major European cities. The trip to or from Berlin takes just under 5 hours. See the Czech Railways website for services.

Getting around

Most of the businesses catering to gay travelers are near four Metro stations, all on the green line: Mustek, Muzeum, Namesti Miru, and Jiriho z Podebrad. Above ground, trams go most everywhere in the city, and single-trip or one- to five-day pass tickets can be purchased at Metro stations or convenience stores. Many of the trams have night service after midnight, and departure times are listed at the stops. Check the DPP website for route and fare information.

 

Currency and Money

The local currency is the koruna, or crown. The country plans to adopt the euro in 2015, but until then many shops and restaurants happily accept euros. ATMs are a common sight in Prague, so you can easily get cash, and credit cards are commonly accepted most everywhere.

 

Media,  information, resources

Websites GayGuide.net, Honilek.cz, PragueGayCity, and Prague4You each has lodging information and gay guides to Prague.

Absolute Prague, Prague Saints, Gay Stay Prague and Mysteria Apartments have accommodations information in English, tours, transfers and more.

Antonio Tours are two personable young English-speaking guides, Antonio and Thomas, offering walking or car tours, day and night, that include Prague and the Czech countryside.

 

Bars, Cafes, Restaurants

Many bars are open until 4 or 5am. When handed a drink ticket be sure not to lose it, or there's a stiff penalty charge.

Angels Cafe (Vinohradská 30) basement cafe and live music bar to warm up for nearby dance clubs; straight-friendly, decent prices.

Bar 21 (Rimska 21) stylish cafe cellar bar on gated alley. Laid back, cool place to meet new Czech friends over inexpensive beers, open early from 4pm, also has art exhibitions.

Cafe Cafe (Rytirska 10), sidewalk tables along Old City pedestrian street attracts gay couples for tasty afternoon pastries and coffee, by walls with celebrity photos.

Cafe Faux Pas (Vinohradska 31) open weekdays from 8am for hearty breakfasts, and until 10pm with Czech fare. Near the dance clubs, with bar,  WiFi.

Café Muzeum (Mezibranska 19), just above Wenceslas Square, small and casual, good conversation place to meet locals around cafe tables, inexpensive beer.

Cafe Nordica (Zlatnicka 10), a bit of Scandinavia with sandwiches and good breakfast daily from 9am.

Celebrity Cafe (Vinohradska 40) full-menu restaurant and bar, from 8am weekdays, 10am on weekends, one of few afternoon gay meeting places this side of town, beside Valentino Disco.

Erra (Konviktska 11), popular, inexpensive cafe-bar-restaurant on two levels in Old Prague, open 10am to midnight.

Friends (Bartolomejska 11), in narrow Old Town street, must-visit favorite with tourists and young locals. Periodic parties fill their dance floor. Fluid opening times, usually by 6pm, then until 5am on weekends.

Fan Fan Club (Dittrichova 5)  stylish cocktail bar and karaoke lounge for meeting friends before the dance clubs open from 5pm nightly; open bar in front, booth seating in rear bar.

FenoMan Club (Blanicka 28) warm-up, or after-hours bar and restaurant with DJ, near dance clubs, open 5pm to 9am or later on weekends for an evening steak dinner, or after-hours breakfast (from 3am). A bit of the old Stella bar vibe, young crowd.

JampaDampa (V Tunich 10) bar and dance club, most popular with younger women.

Kafirna U Ceskeho Pana (Kozi 13), one of Prague's oldest and most Czech gay bars, vistor-friendly, cozy with early-hours crowd.

KU Bar (Rytirska 13), trendy well-heeled mixed crowd in Old Town with eye-candy staff, good DJs, busiest on weekends.

Latimerie Club Cafe (Slezska 74), chic crowd, nicely designed bar with cafe.

Lehka Hlava (Borsov 2), or "Clear Head," innovative veggie/vegan restaurant in Old City, menu online.

Little Temple Bar (Seifertova 26), former Monty's, small bar, lounge, inexpensive beer, umbrella-shaded sidewalk tables by Temple Hotel. Many dancers hang and flirt here casually in early evenings, before starting work at Temple bar.

Piano Bar (Milesevska 10), mostly older Czech crowd, relaxed where everyone is made to feel welcome

Radost (Belehradska 120) vegetarian restaurant, wide variety, heaping-plate American-style weekend brunch. Relaxed Bohemian atmosphere, comfortable mis-matched furniture, English spoken, WiFi access.

Saints (Polska 32) cozy bar to start the night near the dance clubs. Comfy couches, friendly Engllish-speaking staff and clientel, free WiFi. Expats, tourists, and some Czechs who come to practice their English.

Srdce a Kamen (Trojicka 10) or Heart and Stone, cabaret club with star Vaclav Glazer, who keeps the old songs alive.

Silwar Cafe Bar (Jungmanovo namesti 21) opulent bauble of pink and silver at the Mustek end of Wenceslas Square, where gay and straight beautiful people go to drink and pose.

Strelec (Anglická 616/2) from 5pm, gay Czech beer pub, Czech food, popular with a fun crowd of middle-age guys, including bears and their friends.

Tingl Tangl (Karoliny Svetle 12), Old Town pub and Czech food restaurant known for their drag shows

U Rudolfa (Mezibranska 3), locals' favorite beer pub, mostly men of mixed ages, genial crowd, no English spoken.

 

Dance Clubs

Termix (Trebizskeho 4), popular gay dance club, lounge, small disco, darkroom off the men's room. Younger guys are sometimes casually 'commerical.' Wednesday to Sunday until 5am. Big night Wednesdays for Czech dance music.

On Club (Vinohradska 40), former Valentino, gay dance mega-club. Bars, cafes, three levels, summertime terrace, two discos, big lounge. Dancing to 5am, busy darkrooms, subterranean cruise labyrinth, stone caverns, younger guys sometimes come for money.

Radost FX (Belehradska 120) mostly-straight basement dance club with second Friday Lollipop gay disco night. 

Big dance clubs, usually straight, but with gay-friendly events from time to time include: SaSaZu (Bubenske nabrezi 360), and Studio 54 (Hybernska 38). See the website for the Decandance (Decadance.cz) promotions group.

 

Saunas & sex

Sex work is legal for those over 18 in the Czech Republic, and Prague has two comfortable nightclubs in which to meet young entrepreneurs, often students or workers looking for extra cashor new arrivals from countries further east. The clubs try to filter out the troublesome types, but to be on the safe side you should always agree on prices upfront and keep your valuables and your wits about you so everyone stays happy. Prague also has saunas, and sex clubs, and both of the big dance clubs have dark rooms, or labyrinth. See our map and listing section for links to all of them.

Alcatraz S&M Club (Borivojova 58) has a gay pub above their leather/uniform/rubber sex club, open daily. Dark rooms, video cabins, fetish areas, sling, cage, and showers. Thursday naked parties to 5am.

Drake's (Zborovska 50) across the river, large cellar bar and sex club, video booths, play rooms, stripper and live-sex shows, porn videos. Cover charges (free 18-25) good for 24 hours. They never close.

Escape to Paradise (V Jame 8), non-stop strippers from 10pm, almost or fully naked, solo, double, sometimes oiled. All dancers will entertainment privately at your hotel or snuggle (drinks on you), on comfy couches, as you watch the show.

Heaven (Gorazdova 11), the country's widest selection of DVDs for sale and rent, sex shop, darkrooms, naked parties, cinema, video cabins, on-site apartments, and bar.

Sauna Babylonia (Martinska 6), daily 2pm to 3am, Prague's largest gay sauna with steam, whirlpool, gay cinema, cubicles, fitness room, bar and massage options.

Sauna David (Sokolovska 44), somewhat older crowd, sauna, steam, whirlpool, internet, WiFi, movies, cafe, workout area, hot food cafe, private rooms, solarium, and SM-fist room

Sauna Marco (Lublanska 17), mainly Czech patrons, wide age range, steam and dry saunas, whirlpool,  bar.

Temple (Seifertova 32/3) basement bar, booth tables, plush couches, candle-lit lounge retreat. No-pressure atomosphere, guys take cues from eye contact or greetings. Naked dancers, shows from 11pm, also available for off-site pleasure.

Temple Hotel has rooms and suite for rent above the bar (separate entrance). Many Temple dancers live here sharing communal showers with guests, but private showers are available too. Their daytime Temple Coffee Bar is open to all.

Accommodations and tours

Guesthouses listed have gay British, American, Australian or German management. All speak English, and have staff who speak most major European languages. All can be counted on to help you find your way around the city, or the region. Look for other hotels in our lodgings listings and map section.

Daily Rentals Prague (Premyslovska 3; 420-721-329-228), gay-owned and operated, reasonably priced  fully furnished apartments, located close to gay districts, shopping and the sights. All with computer and high-speed connections, 600 channel satellite TV, kitchens, etc. In addition to English and Czech/Slovak, Russian, Ukrainian, Slovak and Romanian are also spoken.

Mysteria Apartments (Nekazanka 6; 420-776-777-994), central private apartments, studios to four bedroom penthouses, all budgets. Spectacular views, computers, internet; service packages. Advice on sights, restaurants, gay scene in 7 languages. Chauffer-driven airport transfers, guided gay tours around Czech Republic.

Prague Center Guest Residences, (gaystay.net/PragueCenter), four central apartments, 1- 3 bedrooms, most with free Wifi Internet; walk to tourist attractions and gay venues; helpful English-speaking gay hosts. Open all year.

Prague Saints (Polska 32) private apartments in and around the gay districts of Vinohrady and Zizkov, plus airport transfers and private gay tours around Prague and other destinations, day or night.

Ron's Rainbow Guest House (Bulharska 4; 420-271-725-664), six-room guest house near the center, comfortable, clean, moderately priced rooms. Long-time American expat provides welcoming introduction to all of his guests.

Villa Mansland (Stepnicna 9-11; 00420 774 239 807) gay resort hotel outside center with restaurant, bar, summer terrace, sauna, whirlpool, green tranquil garden, massage. Easy-to-meet young locals often hanging about.

And see...

Life is a Cabaret by Mircea Ticudean, from an article in Guide Magazine, for another perspective on Prague.