Drink Like a Local: Discover Český Krumlov’s Authentic Pubs!

Did you know that Czechs are the world’s biggest beer drinkers? With over 550 breweries and a brewing tradition dating back to the Middle Ages, beer is at the heart of Czech culture. In recent years, the true pub experience has started to fade as fewer locals visit traditional pubs. But is still some hope!

If you want to experience Czech beer culture the right way, you need to step beyond the touristy spots and drink where the locals drink. Venture outside the historic center of Český Krumlov and grab a cold pint in one of these authentic pubs. Here, you’ll learn to drink like a real Czech—no frills, no gimmicks, just great beer and a true local atmosphere.

1. Hospoda U Dušků – the most famous blue-collar pub in town. Opening hours from 8 am till 8 pm. As a teenager I´d drink there with my classmates, play chess and talk about philosophy, it´s a place where you can get local beer for 50 CZK and maybe also some beer snacks. This is my favorite place to go when I feel that my life is way too normal and when I want to experience something strange from a completely different universe.

2. Lahvárna – a pub located inside Český Krumlov brewery Port 1560. Here you can taste 3 local beers (ask for the flight to do the beer tasting), eat pretzels and drink with locals.

3. Pub club, also called “By the pissed-over linden tree.” – this club is about 10 minutes away from the center of Český Krumlov near to a communist housing project from the 1970s and 1980s. It´s a place where only locals go to talk about sport and where they complain about politics. Opens in the afternoon and serves not only beer but also beer snacks.

4. Barell bar – There are not many inhabitants of the town living in the very center but those few go very often to this bar. It´s a nice place with a pool and darts and probably the only one around where you can occasionally get Guinness on tap. They open late and close even later.

5. Museum Czech Underground club – it´s rather a drinker´s den than a pub. But it has a great atmosphere and the bartender Pingy is actually sort of legend in Český Krumlov – while young he won several orienteering races, after 1989 he founded the first private radio station in the town, opened several restaurants, built recording studio for his sons and went bankrupt so many times that he doesn´t even remember the number. The place is truly shabby but people here are really friendly (and quite drunk as well). If you want to experience an “underground” culture it´s a place for you.