Czech capital to ban organised night-time pub crawls

Prague is set to ban night-time pub crawls organized by travel companies to reduce disruptive tourism and attract a more sophisticated crowd. 

The ban will apply between 10:00 p.m. and 6:00 a.m. (local time), targeting pub crawls often arranged for foreign bachelor and bachelorette parties.

Deputy Mayor Jiri Pospisil emphasized that the goal is to make Prague a city where "refinement and respect for shared public spaces" are valued. This move aligns with similar efforts in other European cities, such as Amsterdam, which recently launched a campaign to deter young British tourists from engaging in heavy drinking and drug use.

The Prague City Council approved the restriction, citing concerns over noise, safety, and cleanliness. Officials claim that the behavior of intoxicated tourists harms the city’s reputation, especially in the historic center of Prague One, a UNESCO World Heritage site.

Local officials, including Prague One Mayor Terezie Radomerská, support the ban, noting that it will help reduce the negative effects of excessive street noise. 

The enforcement of the ban will be overseen by the police, with authorities highlighting the strain that disorderly behavior places on city resources like cleaning services and law enforcement.

Some residents, like Stepan Kuchta, have spoken out about the personal toll of constant late-night disturbances. 

However, not everyone agrees with the new regulation. Prague Pub Crawl, one of the companies that organizes these events, criticized the decision as a "populist move" that fails to address the root issues, such as a lack of police presence.