Ring in the New Year in Prague’s Malá Strana quarter

Whether you countdown at home or are looking for a magical night out, a reconstructed 13th-century Augustinian monastery makes for an unforgettable location to say goodbye to 2022 and a perfect setting for ringing in 2023 with champagne or a quiet morning-after brunch.

The New Year’s Eve celebration at the Augustine Hotel in Prague’s charming Malá Strana quarter is ideal for cocktail lovers and connoisseurs of fine dining, as well as party goers looking for an elegant event to ring in the New Year. 

The festive evening begins in the historic premises of The Refectory bar with a cocktail reception, starting at 6 p.m. The premises of the bar conceal many monastic secrets, including a carefully restored baroque fresco from the 18th century depicting archangels – Michael, Gabriel, Raphael and Jophiel – with a burning heart pierced by an arrow at its center, symbolizing the Augustinian order. Signature angel cocktails give the experience a heavenly dimension.

Following the cocktail reception a five-course dinner accompanied by champagne is served accompanied by live music to further the festive mood.

Dinner begins with a delectable foie gras appetizer. A first-course plate of oysters, beets, Oscietra caviar as well as the traditional horseradish, which is always a part of Czech New Year's Eve celebrations, complements a second course, Terina z Perlička, consisting of winter truffles and chestnuts with plums. Kambala fish and delicate saffron nibs round out the third course followed by a dinner of lamb loin, with artichokes, herb tarragon, black garlic, and morel sauce.

End the meal on a decadent note with dessert in the form of Paté Choux with chocolate ganache, acai, whiskey, and pears.

From 10 p.m., the party will move to the premises of the former St. Thomas pub, where a saxophonist and DJ will add to the lively atmosphere. A midnight toast with luxury Perrier Jouët champagne, is followed by traditional lentil soup, sausages from local farmers and hand-made pretzels. 

The price for the full-length program, including the five-course dinner and a bottle of champagne, is 7,900 CZK. Those who’d like to opt only for the midnight celebration in the St. Thomas pub can do so for CZK 1,800 CZK. 

Those who spend New Year's Eve in the comfort of their own home, but would like to mark the occasion in a more low-key manner can attend the New Year's Augustinian Brunch, on Jan.1 from 12 p.m. Czechs believe that what you do on the first day of the year will have an impact on the rest of it, so why not start it with a lavish meal?

The feast also incorporates lentils, another must-eat on Jan.1, which are said to bring prosperity to those who consume them. Appetizers consist of potato salad with traditional Prague ham, roasted pumpkin, tuna, sushi, lentil or sausage soup, and a selection of cheeses from local farmers with caramelized nuts. To lighten the menu, a wide range of salads are prepared, including Caesar salad with octopus, and greens with eggs or Italian mozzarella.

No brunch at Augustine is complete without the renowned Augustinian eggs Benedict, grilled salmon, wild boar stew or traditional Czech “Kuba,” a barley risotto with forest mushrooms.

Sweet offerings include pancakes with mascarpone and candied fruit, buns with poppy seeds and cottage cheese, fresh fruit salad, strudel with pumpkin, and passion fruit panna cotta or chocolate and tangerine mousse.

The brunch offers a wide range of all-you-can-eat buffet options. A package with unlimited consumption and soft drinks costs 1,600 CZK, one with a bottle of prosecco costs 2,200 CZK, and a package with unlimited consumption of luxury champagne is available for 3,200 CZK.

To make a reservation contact concierge.augustine@luxurycollection.com or call +420 266 112 242.