Clubs and live music - The Rough Guide to Prague - page 296

Partying into the small hours is a key element of the Prague experience for a dedicated
minority of visitors. The city has many late-night drinking holes (see pp.186-192) and
plentyofdanceclubs,butwherePraguereallyexcelsisinitssheervarietyoflivemusic
venues.Runningthegamutfromquirkytotacky,thesehostarangeofevents,including
DJnightsandlivegigs-anythingfromCzechreggaetothrash,withasurprisingarray
of world music bands, some big names from the US and UK and a good crop of home-
grownjazzperformers. Thereisalsoasmallbutwell-established gayandlesbianscene
in the city.
ESSENTIALS
Licensinglaws Notethat,becauseofPrague'sstrictmusiclicensinglaws,clubsinresidential
districts (and that includes much of the city centre) are under constant threat of being closed
down, so don't be surprised if some of those listed here have fallen by the wayside.
Prices Drink prices in clubs and venues are inevitably higher than in pubs, but the hike-up is
usually relatively modest and entry to most late-night places is rarely extortionate.
Listings To find out about the city's up-and-coming events, check the listings sections in
Prague Post and keep your eyes peeled for flyers and posters.
Tickets To buy tickets in advance, try one of the agencies such as Ticketpro, which has
branches all over the city, with outlets in the Staroměstská radnice (Old Town Hall),
Staroměstské náměstí, Staré Město (daily 9am-7pm; ticketpro.cz ), as well as at Rytířská
31, Staré Město (Mon-Fri 10am-6pm), and in the Rokoko pasáž , Václavské naměstí 38,
Nové Město (Mon-Fri 9am-2pm & 2.30-8pm).
< Back to Clubs and live music
LARGE LIVE VENUES
Kongresové centrum Praha (Prague Congress Centre) 5 května 65, Vyšehrad kcp.cz ;
metro Vyšehrad; map . Revamped (but still very ugly) 1970s concrete monstrosity used for
the old Communist Party congresses.
Lucerna Štěpánská 61, Nové Město lucpra.com ; metro Můstek; map . Without doubt the
best venue in Prague, a gilded turn-of-the-century ballroom with balconies, situated in the
Lucerna pasáž . The programme is a real mixed bag with anybody from Marilyn Manson to
local “bigbeat” bands.
Malostranská beseda Malostranské náměstí 21, Malá Strana malostranska-beseda.cz ;
tram #12, #20 or #22 to Malostranské náměstí; map . Malá Strana's old town hall attracts lots
of Czechs, because of its long history. The programme is a great mixture of rock, roots and
jazz. Cover charge 100-250Kč. Gigs usually start at 8.30pm.