On Monday, the Prague City Council decided to amend market regulations to restrict organised pub crawls that disturb the peace during night-time hours, particularly in Prague’s city centre. According to the amendment, pub crawls will be banned in the capital from 10 p.m. to 6 a.m. to maintain night-time quiet.
“The amendment to the market regulations was initiated by the Prague 1 district, which faces numerous negative effects on public space, the local economy, and the social fabric as a result of these pub crawls. Larger groups of participants generate more waste and create higher demands on security, placing a disproportionate burden on city infrastructure, cleaning services, and the municipal police,” said Adam Zábranský, City Councillor for Property, Transparency, and Legislation.
Prague 1 is especially impacted by the so-called ‘alcotourism,’ where mostly young foreigners come to the city to drink heavily. The central district is also affected by overtourism, the overcrowding of the city centre with visitors. According to the Czech Statistical Office, the number of overnight stays in Prague hotels and guesthouses reached 7.4 million last year, marking a 25% increase from the previous year.
“I see the ban on late-night pub crawls as a step towards a calmer, safer environment for all residents and visitors of Prague. My goal is for Prague to become a place where civility and respect for public spaces are prioritised. This is in line with our long-term objectives for tourism and culture,” said Jiří Pospíšil, Deputy Minister for Culture, Tourism, and Animal Welfare.
Disruptive behaviour linked to pub crawls can negatively impact how the city is perceived by tourists, potential investors, and residents. In the long term, this could harm the region’s economic development. This change aims to mitigate these negative social impacts but does not affect the work of regular tour guides, with whom these measures have been mutually agreed. The municipal police will be responsible for enforcing the ban.
