The city of Prague has announced a ban on night-time pub crawls organized by travel agencies, in an effort to deter rowdy tourists and attract more refined visitors.
The new rule, which comes into effect immediately, prohibits pub crawls between 10 p.m. and 6 a.m. local time (9 p.m. to 5 a.m. BST), targeting organized tours often associated with foreign stag and hen parties.
Prague’s deputy mayor, Jiri Pospisil, stated that the goal is to make the Czech capital a place where “refinement and respect for shared public space are a priority.”
This move follows a growing trend among European cities, such as Amsterdam, which launched a similar campaign to dissuade young British men from visiting the Dutch capital to engage in heavy drinking and drug use.
The decision was made by the Prague City Council on the grounds of reducing noise, improving safety, and maintaining cleanliness in the city’s historic center. Councillors noted that the presence of large groups of intoxicated tourists has hurt the city’s reputation.
The central Prague One district, home to many popular bars and designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, has been particularly impacted.
Prague One mayor Terezie Radomerska welcomed the change, stating it would help curb the excessive noise in the streets at night.
The city’s police force will be tasked with enforcing the new restrictions, as officials say the rise in disorderly behavior has stretched local resources, leading to an increased need for cleaning and police services.
Some residents, like Stepan Kuchta, who lives in the affected district, have expressed relief. Kuchta told The Times that his health had suffered due to chronic noise caused by late-night revelry.
However, not everyone is in favor of the ban. Prague Pub Crawl, a company that organizes pub tours, criticized the city’s decision as “merely a populist move” that fails to address real issues, such as the shortage of municipal police officers to enforce peace at night.
Despite the controversy, the Czech Association of Hotels and Restaurants supported the ban, with representative Vaclav Starek stating that business would likely not be affected. Starek emphasized that while organized pub crawls would be restricted, individuals would still be able to visit bars at their discretion.
Prague, a city of 1.3 million residents, welcomed 7.4 million tourists last year. Many visitors are drawn by the city’s historical charm and affordable beer, which can be cheaper than bottled water in some establishments.
The new regulation aims to preserve Prague’s cultural appeal while mitigating the negative impact of disruptive tourism.
