Prague Happy Hour -- Cheap Drinks Before 7 PM

Prague is already one of the cheapest capitals in Europe for a drink. Then happy hour hits and the prices drop further. Between 3 PM and 6 PM — sometimes extending to 7 PM — dozens of bars across the city offer discounted cocktails, wine, and beer that make an already affordable city feel almost unreasonably cheap.

The catch? Happy hour culture in Prague works differently than in London or New York. There are no neon signs announcing "2-for-1 specials." Most deals are listed on small chalkboards, buried in Czech-language menus, or simply known to regulars. We have been drinking (responsibly) across this city for years, and here is our guide to the deals worth seeking out.

When Is Happy Hour in Prague?

Most Prague happy hour deals run between 15:00 and 18:00 (3 PM to 6 PM), with some bars extending to 19:00. Unlike some cities where happy hour is a legally defined window, Prague bars set their own hours. A few things to know:

Weekday-only deals are the most common. Friday happy hours exist but are rarer — bars know they will fill up regardless.
Cocktail bars tend to start earlier (14:00 or 15:00) and end at 18:00 sharp.
Wine bars often run afternoon specials on open bottles — once the bottle is gone, the deal ends.
Beer is already cheap, so beer-specific happy hours are less common, but they exist — usually as a discount on premium or imported taps.

Insider tip: The Czech term for happy hour is simply "happy hour" — the English phrase is used universally. Some bars use "akce" (promotion) or "zvýhodněná nabídka" (special offer) on their menus or chalkboards.

Best Happy Hour Deals by Neighbourhood

Old Town (Staré Město)

Tretter's New York Bar (V Kolkovně 3) — One of Prague's original cocktail bars, running since 2003. Happy hour runs 15:00-18:00 with classic cocktails at roughly 30% off. A Negroni or Old Fashioned drops from the usual 250 CZK to around 170 CZK. The art deco interior is worth seeing regardless of the time.

Hemingway Bar (Karolíny Světlé 26) — Famous for absinthe and rum cocktails. Their afternoon special typically offers selected cocktails for 180-200 CZK instead of the usual 280-320 CZK. Check the chalkboard outside — the deal changes weekly.

Insider tip: Old Town happy hours are the hardest to find because many bars in this area cater to tourists who pay full price without asking. Walk one block off the main tourist routes — V Kolkovně, Kozí, or Dušní streets — and the deals appear.

New Town (Nové Město)

Anonymous Bar (Michalská 12) — Speakeasy-style bar behind an unmarked door. Happy hour 16:00-19:00 with 2-for-1 on selected cocktails. The mixology is serious here — the bartenders are competition-trained.

Cash Only Bar (Opatovická 11) — Despite the name, they now accept cards. Weekday happy hour from 15:00-18:00 with cocktails at 150 CZK — some of the cheapest well-made cocktails in central Prague.

Café Louvre (Národní 22) — Not a bar, but their afternoon wine deal is excellent: a glass of Moravian wine for 60-80 CZK between 14:00-17:00, served in the same first-floor salon where Franz Kafka and Albert Einstein once sat. The billiard room upstairs adds to the atmosphere.

Vinohrady

Vinohradský Pivovar (Korunní 106) — A craft brewery with a beer hall attached. Their afternoon deal runs 14:00-17:00: house-brewed lager at 39 CZK for 0.5L. For context, the same beer costs 65 CZK at full price. The pale lager is excellent.

Banditos (Mánesova 13) — Mexican-themed cocktail bar. Margarita happy hour from 16:00-18:00 at around 130 CZK. The rooftop terrace is one of the quieter outdoor drinking spots in Vinohrady.

Žižkov

Bukowski's Bar (Bořivojova 86) — Dive bar with character. All draught beer is discounted between 15:00-17:00. A half-litre of Kozel or Staropramen drops to around 35 CZK. The bar is dark, loud, and unapologetically itself.

Karlín

Můj Šálek Kávy (Křižíkova 386) — Primarily a specialty coffee shop, but their afternoon wine deal (a glass of Moravian white for 70 CZK between 14:00-17:00) is one of Karlín's quieter pleasures. Pair it with one of their pastries.

Cocktail Happy Hours

Prague's cocktail scene has matured considerably. Several bars now rank among Europe's best, and their happy hour deals bring world-class cocktails within reach of a backpacker budget.

The best cocktail happy hours share a pattern: they discount the classics (Old Fashioned, Negroni, Daiquiri, Moscow Mule) rather than creating a separate "happy hour menu" of weaker drinks. This is a sign of a bar that takes its craft seriously — you get the same cocktail, just cheaper.

Expect to pay 120-180 CZK for a happy hour cocktail at a quality bar. At full price, the same drink runs 220-320 CZK. By comparison, a standard cocktail in London costs 800-1,000 CZK equivalent. Prague's full price is another city's discount.

Insider tip: If a bar's happy hour menu lists drinks you have never heard of — "Sunset Passion," "Prague Dream," "Golden Czech" — that is typically a sign the bar is clearing cheap ingredients. Stick to places that discount recognizable classics.

Beer Specials

Czech beer is already remarkably cheap by European standards. A half-litre of quality draught lager costs 45-65 CZK (roughly 2 EUR) at most local pubs, which would qualify as happy hour pricing anywhere else on the continent.

That said, a few beer deals stand out:

Lokál Dlouhááá (Dlouhá 33) — Tank Pilsner Urquell at 59 CZK anytime, which is cheaper than most pubs' happy hour price for the same beer.
Vinohradský Pivovar — Afternoon house lager at 39 CZK (see above).
Pivovarský Klub (Křižíkova 17) — Not a happy hour as such, but their rotating guest taps occasionally include rare Czech microbrews at introductory prices. Check the board when you arrive.
U Fleků — No happy hour here (the beer is 199 CZK and has been for years), but we mention it as a warning. U Fleků is a historic brewery and worth a visit for the building, but the pricing reflects its tourist status. Drink one for the experience, then head elsewhere.

Insider tip: If your hotel is outside the centre, ask the front desk which pub nearby has the best draught beer. Prague neighbourhood pubs — the ones with no English menu — often charge 35-45 CZK per half-litre. That is under 1.50 EUR. No happy hour needed.

Wine Deals

Prague's wine bars increasingly offer afternoon specials on open bottles and wines by the glass. The pattern is straightforward: the bar opens a bottle, offers it at a discount to move it quickly, and the deal ends when the bottle is empty.

Vinograf (Senovážné náměstí 23) — Afternoon glass specials on Moravian wines, typically 60-90 CZK. Bokovka (Dlouhá 37) — Rotating glass pours of small-producer wines at reduced prices before the evening rush. Café Savoy (Vítězná 5) — A grand café with an afternoon wine and cake pairing for under 200 CZK total.

For a more immersive wine experience, read our full guide to Prague's best bars.

Experience It With a Private Guide

A private walking tour is the best way to discover Prague's neighbourhoods — and the bars within them — at your own pace. Our Charles Bridge and Old Town tour passes through the streets where several of these happy hour spots are located, and we are always glad to share current recommendations.

If you prefer an evening that is already planned, our medieval dinner at U Pavouka Tavern includes unlimited beer and mead alongside a candlelit feast — effectively the oldest happy hour in Prague.

For a deeper look at Prague's nightlife beyond happy hour, read our nightlife guide.

See all private tours — just your group, no strangers.

Frequently Asked Questions

What time is happy hour in Prague?

Most happy hour deals run between 15:00 and 18:00 (3 PM to 6 PM) on weekdays. Some cocktail bars start as early as 14:00. Weekend happy hours are less common but do exist at select bars.

How cheap are drinks during Prague happy hour?

Cocktails drop to 120-180 CZK (roughly 5-7 EUR) from the usual 220-320 CZK. Beer happy hours bring pints to 35-45 CZK (under 2 EUR). Wine by the glass starts at 60 CZK during afternoon specials.

Is Prague cheap for drinking compared to other European cities?

Yes — significantly. A quality cocktail at full price in Prague costs roughly what a happy hour drink costs in London, Paris, or Amsterdam. Czech draught beer at standard pub prices (45-65 CZK) is cheaper than happy hour beer in most Western European capitals.

Prague Happy Hour — Where to Find Cheap Drinks Before 7 PM