In brief
In an effort to attract "refined" tourists and maintain public decorum, Prague authorities have banned the organization of night-time pub crawls by travel agencies.
Prague, known for its exquisite architecture and lively nightlife, is now taking a firm stand against organized night-time pub crawls. These excursions, often targeting foreign stag and hen parties, will no longer be permissible between 22:00 and 06:00 local time (21:00-05:00 BST). Deputy Mayor Jiri Pospisil expressed his desire for the city to be a hub of "refinement and respect for shared public space."This move comes as part of a broader trend seen in other European cities, like Amsterdam, aiming to deter disruptive tourists. Noise, safety, and cleanliness have been the primary concerns for Prague's City Council. Councillors highlighted the negative impact of drunken gatherings on the city's image and the heavy demand they place on public resources.Significantly, the central Prague One district, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, expressed support for the new regulation, with mayor Terezie Radomerska emphasizing the need to curb street noise. Enforcement will be the responsibility of local police, addressing what some residents, like Stepan Kuchta, describe as chronic disturbance caused by these nocturnal activities.However, Prague Pub Crawl, a prominent organizer of these events, criticized the ban as a populist move, arguing it deflects from deeper issues like insufficient law enforcement personnel. Tourist statistics reveal the city received around 7.4 million visitors last year, and despite cheap local beers, Vaclav Starek of the Czech Association of Hotels and Restaurants anticipates minimal impact on business. According to him, the ban targets disorderly pub crawls, not individual patrons.
