Prague

Czechs tend to stay at one pub all night rather than bar-hopping the way tourists do — if you plant yourself somewhere and start talking to people, you'll have a much more genuine night than if you're constantly moving.

The river area has a whole scene built around repurposed boats and riverside structures that locals love in warmer months — follow the sound of music along the Vltava embankment rather than consulting a map.

If someone invites you to a 'wine bar' in Prague, don't expect a quiet sommelier experience — Moravian wine bars here tend to be loud, social, and go very late, and that's considered completely normal.

Vinohrady has a strong and very welcoming LGBTQ+ nightlife scene that spills naturally into the general bar culture of the neighbourhood — it's one of the most relaxed and inclusive areas to spend an evening in the whole city.

Svíčková or goulash eaten late at a hospoda is a completely normal and deeply satisfying end to a night here — Czechs don't really do the kebab-on-the-way-home thing, they just order food at the pub until closing.

Don't be surprised if a pub feels dead at the door but is completely packed in a back room or downstairs — a lot of the best local spots are deliberately hidden from the street, so always explore further inside.

Night trams are your best friend and run reliably through the whole city — learn the night tram map before you go out so you're not stranded or overpaying for a taxi at 3am.

Žižkov is the neighbourhood I always take friends who want a real Prague night out — it has more bars per square metre than almost anywhere in Europe and the crowds are almost entirely local, even on weekends.

Czech pub culture runs on unspoken rules — if a coaster is placed on top of your beer glass, it means you want another one coming. Learn this and the bartender will respect you immediately.

Avoid anything on or immediately around the Old Town Square after dark — it's almost entirely stag parties and tourist traps. Cross one of the lesser bridges and head into Žižkov or Vinohrady and you'll find where people actually drink.

The best underground parties and club nights are shared almost exclusively through word of mouth or local Facebook groups — ask someone you meet at a bar where they're going next, and just say yes. That's genuinely how it works here.

Locals almost never go out before 10pm — if you show up to a bar at 8pm, you'll be surrounded by tourists. Plan your night to start late and you'll find yourself in a completely different crowd by midnight.