Prague to Ban Night-Time Pub Crawls to Enhance Tourist Experience
Prague is set to implement a ban on night-time pub crawls organized by travel agencies, aiming to reduce disruptive tourist behavior and attract a more sophisticated visitor demographic.
The authorities in the Czech capital have announced that organized pub crawls, primarily targeting foreign stag and hen parties, will be prohibited from 10 PM to 6 AM local time.
Deputy Mayor Jiri Pospisil emphasized the city’s commitment to promoting “refinement and respect for shared public space” as a priority.
Prague joins other cities in addressing issues linked to rowdy tourists, particularly groups from the UK. In 2022, similar efforts were made in Amsterdam to deter young British men from engaging in heavy drinking and drug use.
The Prague City Council has approved an amendment aimed at limiting “organized movements of tourists from pub to pub,” which have been identified as primarily responsible for disturbing the night peace in the city center.
This move arises from concerns about noise, safety, and cleanliness, as large crowds of intoxicated tourists have been reported to tarnish the city’s reputation. Local officials in the Prague One district expressed support, stating the change would diminish excessive street noise.
Mayor Terezie Radomerska of Prague One described the decision as “welcome,” reinforcing the need to address issues stemming from disruptive noise levels. The enforcement of this new regulation will fall to local law enforcement.
Council members have noted that the increase in disorderly conduct has resulted in “an excessive deployment” of cleaning and police services, straining city resources. Residents, including Stepan Kuchta, have voiced concerns about ongoing disturbances, citing chronic noise as detrimental to their well-being.
In contrast, some businesses that benefit from the nightlife, such as local pub crawls, criticized the ban as a superficial solution, claiming it does not tackle deeper issues like the shortage of municipal police necessary for maintaining order.
Despite the changes, Prague continues to be a popular destination, drawing approximately 7.4 million visitors last year. The city is renowned for its rich history and affordable offerings, with some local pubs serving beer at prices lower than bottled water.
Vaclav Starek from the Czech Association of Hotels and Restaurants welcomed the council’s decision, asserting that it would not negatively impact sales. “Nobody will be banned from going to a pub, but these nightly organized pub crawls are unnecessary,” he stated.
