With the school year coming to an end, stress among students and teachers is at a yearly high. All the while advice along the lines of  “Taking walks” “Eating Well” and “Deep Breathing” circulates. Personally, I find these tidbits over-circulated, naive, and most importantly boring. So in today’s edition of “Cheap Thrills Worldwide”, I will chart a course through the issue of stress the old school way, the way our grandparents dealt with it. Drinking. Vowing to take this schoolboy task seriously,  I have narrowed down the best bang for your-buck drinking spots for you and your friends. That way you can all blow off steam and celebrate with some well-needed Neo-Hedonic pleasure. So without further ado, let’s begin. 

1. Woodoo

Located at Bořivojova 69/1068, in  Žižkov Woodoo Is by far the cheapest and most spacious venue on our list. With weekly foosball tournaments taking place on Tuesdays, and plenty of raunchy videogame cabinets, Woodoo has a charm beyond its sub 50 Kč beer. (Kozel, Radagast). Long tables line almost every wall, accommodating groups big and small, and often having open spaces. When a group of friends and I have been pushed out of the center by larger gaggles, Woodoo has always been there to save the night. Though, I do recommend going early if you want something guaranteed for more than 3 or 4 people. 

2. Napa Bar and Gallery. 

Those who don’t revel in the sticky tables of  Žižkov dives, Fret not! A gem is located at Prokopská 296/8. With a reservable pool table in the back, a summer garden, and occasional book/cd launches. Napa walks the line between highbrow and affordability effortlessly. A selection of lesser know beers, with Ježek 11𝆩 being just under the 50 Kč mark line the menus. Cocktails themselves are a bit “Over Budget” for this list, with the cheapest being a Campari Orange at 110 Kč. Though a solid whiskey sour appears at 145Kč, and a rare but delightful Dark n Stormy for 140Kč. In conclusion, Napa gets my recommendation as a crowd pleaser for those groups that just can’t settle on a spot, while it gets beat out by others in terms of beer or cocktail focus, it certainly will have something for everyone. Even having coffee and non-alcoholic beers for those who prefer to abstain. 

3. Bukowskis

Speaking of cocktails and academics, how could Bukowskis not get an honorable mention? Located at Bořijovova 86, Bukowskis is the undebatable king between the lines of atmosphere and pricepoint. Beer prices are absurdly high here, but so are some of the customers. So I would recommend, taking a look at their specialty list, all of which are delicious and well under the 150Kč margin. My personal Favorites  would certainly have to be the NY Sour and The Godfather. If you haven’t been to Bukowskis yet, it’s certainly worth a shot. Though, I would recommend keeping in mind this place is cash only, has small tables, and is a quieter vibe.

4. ŽiŽKOVŠiŠKA

At the risk of potentially blowing up one of my favorite venues in the city, I would like to share this lovely live music bar. Located at Husitská 888/11, two big iron doors stand opposing the bus stop, only recognizable through the large Z handles. ŽiŽKOVŠiŠKA hides a foggy stage, often occupied by underground artists, jazzy amateurs, and open mic aficionados. While admission isn’t free, if the doorman likes your vibe and you tell them about your student status entry fees can be avoided or reduced to 50 Kč, and often come with a serving of vegan soup or a small entry drink. In addition to a bar with snacks and drinks, the venue is home to a pingpong table, a microgreen greenhouse, and a small little secret space I will let the readers discover on their own. Often crowded on weekends, I recommend keeping an eye on their website and planning accordingly. Note that this place is cash only, and has a very mellow tone to it. While in my opinion, it scratches the live music underground itch without the yucky frat bro energy that often accompanies other similar places, ŽiŽKOVŠiŠKA is who it hosts. So I implore visitors to keep it calm respectful, and resist the temptation to make a tik-tok of it. 

5. Branická Formanka

In terms of Prague 1 besides the notables of: Zazemi, Cafe Rybka, Popo, Jerico, and WAID there is a small old-school pub located at Vodičkova 696/26. Inside is a warm and very local atmosphere, be prepared to bust out your Czech and some coins and grab yourself a beer, while it sits directly next to Lokal, it serves its own beer on a tab at about 20% less than its neighbor. While I can imagine that a boisterous group of English speakers may catch some glances, a smaller group interested in experiencing some authenticity in the middle of Prague 1 will not be disappointed by this quaint tavern.  (Oh and of course, drafts are under 50 Kč

And with that, this month’s rundown of pubs to break away from our studies and work is complete. I hope this list helped everyone quench their thirst for freedom and excitement. Remember to be responsible and enjoy yourself, and let us know what you think of this list!