Bars If you want to really indulge in the local culture, the best place to start is one of the city’s numerous bars, pubs, hospody – whatever you want to call them. The staple, of course, is the beer, which Czechs take immense pride in; indeed, it is generally agreed that Czech beer ranks as some of the best in the world. You’ll probably agree, too, as long as your pub of choice cleans out their pipes more often than they change the tablecloths. The level of service in most pubs varies from outright hostility to polite indifference. Don’t expect to have a lengthy conversation with the bar man, unless you’re fluent in Czech. Remember – this is not a service culture, and once you venture into a Czech hospoda, you’re on home turf…Their home, that is. Don’t expect to get the red carpet tourist treatment here. Most Czech pubs also serve typical Czech cuisine, most of which goes excellently with – you guessed it – beer. Indeed, there’s nothing like a good ol’ artery-clogging smažený sýr (fried cheese) or goulash with dumplings to absorb that foamy pint of Budvar, so try to forget about all that healthy lifestyle crap you were taught at home and join in on all the beer-swilling, chain-smoking fun. And if you want to do some real liver damage, sample large quantities of local liquors Borovička, Slivovice, Becherovka, or the old-fashioned favorite Absinthe.
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