5 Budapest bars specializing in Czech beer

1/5

háček

This newcomer to downtown Kertész Street, háček is a brand-new establishment on the Budapest beer scene, and it’s named after the diacritical sign used in the Czech language. The classic, brown wooden floors and the sizeable black-and-white portraits adorning the interior clearly suggest that this is a pub with an authentic feel. The locale isn’t particularly spacious: the downstairs area has about half a dozen tables, but there’s a gallery upstairs.

The freshly launched pub currently serves a mere four beer varieties (Svijany Máz, Svijany Rytíř, Svijany Weizen, and Svijany Kněžna), but the owners are planning on doubling the selection in the near future. Out of the four beers available at the moment, our favorite was a fragrant brew called Rytíř with 5% alcohol content. A mug of beer is priced between 590 and 750 forints, and the menu also includes an assortment of delicious snacks. Warm dishes offered in hearty portions, such as Hermelín, the ultimate staple of Czech taverns, are an integral part of the cuisine here.

háček
Budapest 1073, Kertész utca 48
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2/5

Hrabal

Bearing the name of the world-famous Czech author, this is perhaps the most well-known Czech pub in Budapest. The bust of Bohumil Hrabal stands by the door to welcome customers to the popular locale, which swears by the same brown-dominated interior as háček. Shots from Closely Watched Trains and Cutting it Short enhance the genuine Czech vibe. There’s plenty of room at the front, next to the entrance, but the space gets tighter and tighter as you make your way toward the stairs leading up to the gallery.

The spread looks absolutely promising, with eight draft beers and 35 bottled varieties being sourced from breweries in Nymburk, Liberec, Třeboň, Nová Paka, Pardubice, Žatec, and Černá Hora. If you’re looking for something out of the ordinary, try the green ale: it might look startling at first, but it tastes just like the traditional version.

Hrabal
Budapest 1088, Rákóczi út 11
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3/5

Jaromir 68

With several watering holes named Jaromir around Budapest, this one on Csengery Street, by the bustling intersection of Oktogon is a fine example of a real Czech beer bar. The name was inspired by Jaromír Jágr, the most successful Czech ice hockey player of all time. The superstar athlete, who rose to fame as the player of the Pittsburgh Penguins in the 1990s, is still active in the National Hockey League at the age of 44(!), and wears jersey number 68 in honor of the Prague Spring. Whether he’s ever been to any of the establishments bearing his moniker is unknown, but we’re sure he’d not be disappointed if he dropped in for a pint.

Thirsty guests visiting the cozy cellar pub have six draft beers and 25 different suds in bottled form to choose from. The beers on tap are produced by Dudák, and are sold at a price of 500-650 forints per mug, while the bottled items come from several smaller breweries, including Bernard, Chodovar, Svijany, and Rohozec. Feeling famished? Go for any of the classic Czech beer snacks or the even more classic Hungarian grilled sandwiches, which are served at the bar by members of the Jaromir crew, who always don tops with the number 68.

Jaromir 68
Budapest 1074, Csengery utca 62/B
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4/5

Cech In

Type this name into your search engine, and you’ll also get multiple hits: you can check in both on Lázár Street in District VI and Lónyay Street in District IX. Continuing the sports theme, it would be logical to assume that one (or both) of these pubs is named after Petr Cech, the Czech goalkeeper of Arsenal, but that’s not the case. Out of the two, the locale found on Lónyay has been open for a mere year. Wood is the primary interior design element here as well, but the overall effect is much lighter. Out of all the places on our list, Cech In boasts the biggest upstairs area, which can comfortably accommodate several groups.

Cech In serves six kinds of beer on tap as well as eight different tipples by the bottle, all of which are available in the 550-650-forint price range. Our top pick was the unfiltered ale named Ježek, but our firm favorite, the sour-cherry flavored beer of Rizmajer, is also an impeccable choice, especially in the summertime. The menu is quite versatile, featuring the compulsory savory snacks and traditional Czech pub grub.

Cech In
Budapest 1093, Lónyay utca 34
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5/5

Bohemia

Situated near Rákóczi Square Market Hall, on Déri Miksa Street, Bohemia may be small (you’re practically already standing by the bar when you enter the door), but it’s also surprisingly diverse in selection. In addition to the four draft varieties (Novopacke, Kumburak, Konrad, and Pardubicky Porter), the tavern has a supply of no fewer than 40 bottled brands. While you wait for your turn, you can pass the time by browsing images from Cutting it Short on the wall, which will evoke a feeling of déjà vu if you’ve ever been to the above-mentioned Hrabal. When choosing your seat for the evening, keep in mind that the pub can get pretty crowded, and ventilation is not the best on the gallery.

Apart from the wide array of beers, Bohemia also woos visitors with its cheap prices: you can buy a mug of your drink of choice for as little as 450 forints, and ordering food won’t break the bank either; for example, Hermelín costs 600 forints. If you only try one thing here, go for the dark Pardubicky Porter.

Bohemia
Budapest 1084, Déri Miksa utca 1-3
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