Prague Tankovna Pubs

Discussion in 'Europe' started by Chinon01, May 12, 2012.

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  1. Chinon01

    Chinon01 Initiate (0) Jan 23, 2007 Pennsylvania

    I have some questions regarding tankovna pubs in Prague:

    1) How common are tankovna pubs in Prague?
    2) What's the variety of beer like?
    3) What's the food like?
    4) What's the best time to arrive.
    5) Is there an obvious difference in the quality of the beer at tankovna versus non-Tankovna pubs?

    Thanks
     
  2. cagiva650ca

    cagiva650ca Initiate (0) Feb 12, 2009 Canada ()

    On my travels to the Czech republic I have only visited one tankovna pub. U Medvidku is a Budvar tankovna pub. A great place. Lovely beer. Good Czech food (beer icecream!). They also have a small brewpub on the premises brewing five or six of their own beers.
    http://www.umedvidku.cz/

    Na zdravi!
     
  3. mike004

    mike004 Initiate (0) Sep 12, 2005 England

    I would guess there are maybe 20 tankovna pubs in or near central Prague.
    Most tankovnas serve tank Pilsner Urquell, but there are Budvar, Kozel and Gambrinus versions.
    The beer is fresh and much better than the non-tank PU.
    Food depends on how up-market the pub is.
    Try this site for pubs in the tourist area: http://www.praguepubs.co.uk

    My favorites in the centre are U Rudolfina, Andel, U Cerheho Vola
     
  4. herrburgess

    herrburgess Grand Pooh-Bah (3,053) Nov 4, 2009 South Carolina
    Pooh-Bah Society

    U Medvidku was always my first stop of the night when I went to Prague. Back in the early 1990s you could get half a duck with dumplings for $3 and a half liter of fresh Budvar for $0.30. Frequently "started" the night with 4-5 of the latter.
     
  5. Chinon01

    Chinon01 Initiate (0) Jan 23, 2007 Pennsylvania

    I know this is an older post but my trip to Prague was rescheduled to this March. I have a question or clarification on "Andel". There are at least two pubs w/ "Andel" in the name. Would you have the full name or better yet the address of the "Andel" you are referring to? One had a bowling alley in the basement.
     
  6. patto1ro

    patto1ro Pooh-Bah (1,998) Apr 26, 2004 Netherlands
    Pooh-Bah Society

    U Cerheho Vola is a great pub.

    But my personal favourite, for no logical reason, is U Rotundy. It's like a step back into the 1980's. They only sell one beer, Staropramen 10. Last time I was there I walked past the bar without even looking at the barman and sat down in the other room. A minute or so later he put a half litre of beer in front of me. We hadn't even exchanged looks, let alone words. That's what I call service.
     
  7. mike004

    mike004 Initiate (0) Sep 12, 2005 England

    That's the one, with the bowling alley. Right opposite Andel metro.
    All tankovna pubs have a sticker on the front door. The sticker shows a stainless steel tank. You can view the tanks in some pubs.
     
  8. Chinon01

    Chinon01 Initiate (0) Jan 23, 2007 Pennsylvania

    Thanks. And I found out today (duh) that Staropramen has a brewery in Prague. Is it worth a visit?
     
  9. mike004

    mike004 Initiate (0) Sep 12, 2005 England

    Not really. The main brewery tap is just a short walk from Andel.
    While you are in that area, try Pivnice Jamajka and U Buldoka. A couple of pubs offering non-Prague beers. There is also a tankovna opposite Buldoka, as I recall.
     
  10. Chinon01

    Chinon01 Initiate (0) Jan 23, 2007 Pennsylvania

    Headed over later this week. My 'must sees' are as follows:
    1. U Rudolfina (Pilsner Urquell Tank)
    2. U Cerneho Vola (Kozel Tank)
    3. Beograd pub (Krušovice Tank)
    4. U Jindrisska Veze (Gambrinus Tank)
    5. Pivovar U Tri Ruzi (Brewpub)
    6. Plzeňský Anděl (Pilsner Urquell Tank)
    7. U Medvidku (Brewpub and unpasteurized Budvar)
    8. U Fleku
    9. U Zlateho Tygra
     
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  11. herrburgess

    herrburgess Grand Pooh-Bah (3,053) Nov 4, 2009 South Carolina
    Pooh-Bah Society

    Nice list. Numbers 7, 8, and 9 were always stops on my rounds back in the day. Only got into U Zlateho Tygra twice -- both times got seated at a small two-top table right near the bathrooms. U Medvidku and U Fleku are, despite being on the well-worn tourist path, great places to lose a few hours in. I wish I could remember the name of the old-school, communist-decorated place (laminate table tops, stark lighting, and insanely cheap Urquell)...it was just west of Nam. Rebubliky near the street called Masna, IIRC. Either way, enjoy. Will be hard not to!
     
  12. kot1967

    kot1967 Aspirant (257) Sep 12, 2012 Russian Federation

    2ST
    4)...?
    Spring of course:slight_smile:
     
  13. Chinon01

    Chinon01 Initiate (0) Jan 23, 2007 Pennsylvania

    Still in Prague. So far I've reached:
    1. U Jindrisska Veze
    2. Pivovar U Tri Ruzi
    3. Plzeňský Anděl
    4. U Medvidku
    5. U Zlateho Tygra

    Outstanding beer and beer culture everywhere. But the food is average at best. Complete review when I return.
     
  14. herrburgess

    herrburgess Grand Pooh-Bah (3,053) Nov 4, 2009 South Carolina
    Pooh-Bah Society

    Nice. And yea, the food is almost universally forgettable there. Now, back in the early 1990s when I was in grad school and on a budget, those $2 duck and dumpling dinners seemed pretty awesome. Hope you make it to U Fleku to try the beer (as mentioned, VERY touristy, kinda obnoxious service, and 0.4 l pours, but the quality of the beer makes up for it). Enjoy.
     
  15. Chinon01

    Chinon01 Initiate (0) Jan 23, 2007 Pennsylvania

    Ok trip is over and here is the full Prague report:

    1. Pivovar U Tri Ruzi (Brewpub) – Very much like an American brewpub in selection and atmosphere. Also non-smoking. Beer was very good; and w/ styles such as Scotch Ale, U Bock, Belgian style ale and a Vienna Red (w/ a hop bite) the beer is a nice switch up from the ubiquitous Czech pilsner. Did not eat. Would return
    2. Plzeňský Anděl (Pilsner Urquell Tank) – Bar and restaurant are separated by an outdoor court (which was closed for the season) Note: Restaurant area was non smoking from what I could see. Very average food but solid Pilsner Urquell. Lots of bad 80s music (e.g. “We Built This City“) and a bowling alley? Might have been better in the court during warmer weather. Would not return
    3. U Medvidku (Brewpub and Budvar Tank) – Typical Czech pub set up with dark wood tables and chairs and many locals. Three beers included a Budvar Dark, Budvar Light, and their house beer (Old Gott semi dark lager). All were quite fine. I’d never had Budvar Dark and enjoyed the prune-like, dry and mineral character of the beer. And their house beer I think is a must for beer lovers who visit the city; fruity, solid hop bite, dusty, almost like a wine. Food was average. Would return
    4. U Rudolfina (Pilsner Urquell Tank) – Just north of the Charles Bridge this typical Czech pub (dark wood and locals) was ok and nothing really to write home about. Poured a solid Pilsner Urquell and friendly service. Did not eat. Would not return
    5. U Cerneho Vola (Kozel Tank) – Did not visit.
    6. Beograd pub (Krušovice Tank) – Did not visit.
    7. U Jindrisska Veze (Gambrinus Tank) – Again typical Czech pub set up. Cheerful and smoky space. Gambrinus is a very light beer. Nothing really intrigued me about it. Did not eat. Would not return
    8. U Zlateho Tygra (Pilsner Urquell Tank) – A must visit to Prague. Very smoky, packed with locals (99% middle aged men), lots of energy and a wonderful pour of Pilsner Urquell. Felt like a genuine no frills Czech experience. Did not eat. Would return
    9. U Fleku (Brewpub) – Again a must visit (for beer lovers) if only for the history as the pub was founded in 1499. I little touristy and admittedly neither the food nor beer were mind blowing I still enjoyed the atmosphere seated chockablock with locals and tourists at communal tables. Would return
    10. Lokal Dlouha – By far the best food we had in Prague. Basically Czech pub food but elevated. Wife had pork neck with sharp coleslaw and garlicky mashed potatoes. I had the Hungarian Goulash. Deep flavors. Spot on good cooking. We also had house made sausage “Talián”, with horseradish, and housemade mustard and pickled Czech camembert for staters. Pilsner Urquell was tops as well.
     
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  16. herrburgess

    herrburgess Grand Pooh-Bah (3,053) Nov 4, 2009 South Carolina
    Pooh-Bah Society

    Awesome report. Good to hear your thoughts on places I have -- and haven't -- been. Sounds like you had a damn nice time.
     
  17. kot1967

    kot1967 Aspirant (257) Sep 12, 2012 Russian Federation

    :sunglasses: And...
    Zlý Časy
    Zubatý pes
    První pivní tramway
    ....too far from center?
     
  18. jazzyjeff13

    jazzyjeff13 Grand Pooh-Bah (3,841) Nov 6, 2010 England
    Pooh-Bah Society

    Cool report - it's nice to hear about someone else's experience in the city. I'll bear the info above in mind for the next time I visit....
     
  19. papagobrewing

    papagobrewing Initiate (0) Sep 8, 2009 Arizona

    While certainly not as old school as some of the places already mentioned I kind of like going to the chain of places that go by the name of the PUB, (Pilsner Unique Bar). There is one right close to the Charles Bridge. Food is a mix of Czech and Western food (which is good if you are travelling with someone not so adventuous). The thing I like about it most is the big screen monitoring where you can see how much everyone else in the bar and in all their other bars is drinking. http://www.thepub.cz/praha-1/?lng=en
     
  20. BeerGreg

    BeerGreg Initiate (0) May 17, 2013 Illinois

    I'm visiting Prague next week. Plan on using the above as a guide for my beer travels. Granted those will be few and far between, since the trip is a b-day gift to my (non-beer drinking) girlfriend.
     
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