How to Order Beer in a Czech Pub like a Local
So, you’ve found yourself in a Czech pub. The tables are sticky, the air is buzzing with conversation, and the waiter is already marching towards you. Heart rate rising? Don’t panic, ordering beer here is less about perfect Czech and more about confidence and rhythm.
Don’t Raise Your Hand like You’re in School
First rule: you don’t chase the waiter. In a proper hospoda, the waiter will spot you even if you just tilt your empty glass ever so slightly forward. These guys have a sixth sense for thirst. If you start shouting “Excuse me!” across the room, you’ll get the same reaction as if you just spilled your beer: collective disapproval.
Don’t raise your hand like you’re in school
Just Add prosím and You Are Good to Go
In English, you might say: “Could I possibly have a half-liter of lager, please, thank you very much.” In Czech pub reality, that’s overkill. The shorter, the better. Point at your glass, say Jedno pivo! and you’re golden. The magic word prosím is nice to have, but trust me, the waiter will not be offended if you skip it once your face is familiar.
Hospoda Menu
No Czech pub visit is complete without něco k pivu — salty, hearty snacks that make every beer taste even better. From pickled cheese to fried potatoes, these are the true soul of the Czech pub table.
Jídlo / Food
nakládaný hermelín – pickled cheese
utopenec – pickled sausage
škvarková pomazánka – Pork crackling spread
klobása – sausage
chleba – bread
brambůrky – chips
Pivo / Beer
malé pivo – small beer (0.3 l)
velké pivo – large beer (0.5 l)
točené pivo – draft beer
Jiné nápoje / Other drinks
víno – wine
voda – water
kofola – Czech cola
The Dance of Another Round
Here comes the fun part. In most pubs, you don’t need to order your second beer. The waiter will just bring it. Seriously. Unless you stop them, they’ll keep lining them up until you’re under the table. That’s why Czech has a brilliant shortcut: Ještě jedno. It’s the local equivalent of a “keep ’em coming” button.
Cultural Insights
The Beer Economy: Beer is often cheaper than water. Yes, really.
Communal Tables: Don’t be shy if someone asks to sit with you. It’s normal to share a table with strangers.
Rituals: Don’t forget to say Na zdraví! (Cheers!) and clink glasses while making eye contact.
How Not to Drink Forever
Now, what if you’re done? You can’t just sneak out. You’ll still be charged. Instead, put your coaster on top of your glass. That’s the Czech full stop. And if you feel like flexing your language skills, say Už si nedám. Translation: “I won’t have any more.” Waiters love it because it’s clear, polite, and they can finally stop chasing you with beer.
Ještě jedno pivo?
A true story
Once I was in a pub in Žižkov, and a tourist at the next table proudly announced in English: “No more beer for me!” The waiter didn’t understand a word, nodded anyway, and five minutes later another frothy half-liter landed in front of him. The guy looked betrayed, but the rest of us just grinned. That’s how it works here: until you actively say stop, the beer river flows.
Ordering in a Czech pub isn’t about perfect grammar. It’s about joining a ritual. Keep it short, keep it clear, and always respect the coaster rule. Do that, and you’ll fit right in with the locals.
Want to learn all the phrases, grammar hacks, and cultural secrets of the Czech pub? Grab my Czech Pub: Survival Vocabulary sheet and never feel lost in a hospoda again!
