Where To Go When Looking For a Bit Different Night Out

In Prague it´s almost impossible to run out of ideas for your free time. If you want to try something a bit special and for sure away from the tourists than try cinema. In Prague you can find most of the cinemas play their movies in original language. The good thing is that in some cinemas they let you drink local beer too.

One of the cinemas I would like to recommend you today is art-house cinema Svetozor, situated right in the centre thru the passage off the Wenceslav square. Kino Svetozor, as would locals says for cinema. First screening took place back in 1918 and since then it went thru few changes. Being also cabaret and after rebuilt to panoramic cinema to be years later famous Kino Automat. Now, some ninety years later, this art-house cinema is beautifully renovated with new interior and new opening times focusing on first-rate European and non-European films.

This is what the say about themselves:

“…Cinema Svetozor does not want to become a fort of intellectuals, however, it wants to present entirely artistic film production. The spectrum of art films is so wide that there is something in the programme for everyone. Cinema Svetozor then becomes a unique alternative to common commercial offerings.

Each week is accompanied by a premiere of one art film, one evening in the week is stipulated for the presentation of documentary films and one night for the presentation of minor and experimental genres such as animation, video art, net art, commercials, video-clips, short films etc…”

Kino Svetozor consists of following: The Big Screening Hall, designed for premiers of Czech and foreign art films. The Small Screening Hall designed to project documentaries and animated films with Czech subtitles and of Digital Cinema equipped with digital projector for digital screening.


In the cinema you can find also Café and Bar for those not came just to see film. Apart of Prague´s best beer Staropramen, you can also find their own named beer called The Lager Svetozor made especially for this cinema.


I hope this tip for this different night out was helpful and that you enjoy its atmosphere by watching some authentic film and sipping the best beer in Prague. Enjoy!

Contact address: Vodickova 41, Prague 1, Tel: 224946824 or click here for map
For their program visit their webite here.

When Public Holidays and Shops Opening Times

Shop opening times

Public holidays in Prague would affect some opening times of the shops and therefore is quite important you are aware of those to avoid any “shopping fever” disappointments. Shops are generally open from Monday to Friday from 8am to 6pm. Of course depending of what shops and where. In the center you can expect the shops to be open longer hours and working even on the weekend. Banks and post office would only open during the week so any posting or money dealing should have been done over the week. Most of the restaurants, clubs, bars and pubs will open longer hours and during the weekends as well. Normal business hours for most of the supermarkets are Monday to Friday from 9am to 9pm or even longer. On Saturday will only larger supermarket remain open. Sundays most of the supermarkets stay close, so make sure you do your necessary shopping before then.

Public Holidays

In Czech Republic there are not so many Public Holidays in compare to other countries. During the Public Holidays majority of all the shops remain closed for the whole day. Some pubs and even restaurants will be open mostly in the centre as well as some fast food restaurants and stalls. Bellow is details dates for most Public Holidays in Czech Republic so try to remember them or write them down to avoid shops being closed when you need them. Even on those days you can still find some of the smaller food shops opened called “Vecerka”. Those are night shops which stay open after normal business hours and where food and drinks can be bought.

National Holidays Dates

January 1^st – New Year´s Day

Easter Monday – dates for this change depending the Easter

May 1^st – Labor Day

May 8^th – VE Day

July 5^th – Christianity Day

July 6^th – Death of Jan Hus (Upaleni Jana Husa)

September 28^th – Czech National Day

  

What is so typical about Czechs?

Czech Republic as a country is well known for a few things. Ask any Czech guy and his or her response will be the same. Try it. Most will also say that Czech Republic has the best woman, some than add the best Ice Hockey team. Others will add glass and porcelain, classical music, opera or jazz. Some years ago some would also say Football. The last one is long time gone.
But what is that everybody will agree on? Something everybody from Czech Republic and experts from around the world would say yes to. As a small country in the centre of Europe the Czechs have this to be proud of. An it is the best in the world. See the video bellow for yourself.


 


Like it? Well here is one more funny good ad for czech beer.



 

Clubbing in Prague - second part

Last time I had given you some hint of where to go clubbing in Prague. To give you some more ideas of where is cool to hang out. I decided to add some more of the club´s names this time to make it a good choice for those of you who like clubbing, good music and some fun.

Radost FX

Radost FX club hosts some of the best local DJ´s as well as foreign DJ´s. Club opens on Thursday, Friday and Saturday, Saturday being the best night. With it´s original programs, four bars, videoprojection and gogo dancers there is no way you wont have fun. Club is near the town´s centre (close to Vaclavske namesti - 15min walk) in I.P.Pavlova metro station. Apart of local audience there are many people form all over the world. Club itself is at the basement of the building and as a part of the property you have also a restaurant at the top. You can find styles of music anything from  House, Techno, Progressive House to Hip-Hop, Electro and Trance. Lots to choose from.
Adress: Belehradska 120, Praha 2, or click here to see on the map.
To see Radost FX´s program click here.

Ok and for those who like a bit of different style of music than Techno and House would find below club just right for them. Locals like to listen, what we call independent music, performed by local not necessary known artist, some having their first shot.

Palac Akropolis

                              

This club and Theatre will be more suitable to those like more alternative music. Club is organizing over 900 action of all sorts a year! Club has won a numerous awards in Rock music scene hosting well known local and foreign interprets as well as supporting starting or less know bands. This is guite a large club divided to a several rooms with bars and space to rock´n´roll (dance). Palac Akropolis is for people like a bit underground and alternative touch to a new scene of music. Club is a bit away from the center but not too far off just by the tall TV Tower which you can spot from almost everywhere in Prague. In Palac Akropolic you can choose from many of the music styles like Rock, BreakBeat, Deep House, Jazz, Drum'n'Bass, Reggae, Down-Tempo, Dub, Hip-Hop, Ska or Punk.

Adress: Kubelikova 27, Praha 3, or click on the map here.

For the club´s program visit their website.

                                   

Czech Republic´s : Rock for People...Festival destination # 1

Even though it seems that summer is far over, recording to summer festival program there is still a lot to offer. Another great summer full of festivals! This is really becoming destination number one within europeans countries. This summer we could see and hear some ot the best names in the music industry in many of the festival across the Czech Republic. 

One of them to definitely mention was Rock for People 2010. This festival is considered as the biggest and most popular outdoor event of the year 2010. With many stages playing various but mostly Rock music and with famous artist, it´s a must go festival. This year was held again, after succesful previous years, in town called Hradec Kralove, not far from Prague. People from all over could hear loud music, in this open air festival, duration of four days. Just see the names for your self: Tricky, Skunk Anansie, Prodigy, Dreadzone, Suicidal Tendencies, NOFX, Morcheeba just a few to choose from. Ofcourse there were so many locals bands playing to. Just some to mention out of many were: Skyline, Horkyze Slize, Visaci Zamek, Kurtizany z 25.Avenue, Wohnout, Plexis, Divokej Bill, Cechomor and many many more, making every sigle day of this great open air event so special by giving people various bands to choose from on each day.

You could buy tickets for 1900 KC which is about 73 Euros, but concidering how much music one could hear and in fact that this price included full four-day access, it was still very good deal. Already now I am so sure and won´t be just speaking for myself but for all who are plannig to attend next year too, that we all cant wait for the 16th year of Rock for People next year in 2011. 
For more details on Rock for People and some cool videos click here.

Where to go clubbing in Prague

Club Roxy

This is a must once in Prague. This club with it´s long tradition offers a good atmosphere with a good music every night and lots of residential DJ´s and independent bands play in there. Event which takes place on every Moday of the week called Free Mondays can offer some of the good alternative music without paying a penny. Club is in the basement and divided into two like floors, with two bars and large dance floor and podium. It´s great center location making this club popular not just with locals but as well with Foreigners.
Adress of the club: Dlouha 33, Prague 1, for map click here.
For their program click Roxy website here




Mecca Club Prague

This club offering good night´s full of house and techno music. Not located in the center but still short tram or taxi ride from the centre. Interior is modern with long bar. Most of the nights are free to entre but on some nights you will be asked to pay for the entrance. Two large dance rooms and good atmosphere  with good barmans and good music make this place well worth of visiting.
Adress of the club: U Prulomu 3, Prague 7, for map click Club Mecca
For their program click on Club Mecca website