Prague's Manifesto Market opens its second branch in Smíchov, but it won’t be there long

A new branch of Manifesto has opened in Prague’s Smíchov district, next to the National House Smíchov (Národní dům na Smíchově) on náměstí 14. října, a short distance from the Anděl metro and tram hub.

While
the official launch isn’t until July 24, it was already welcoming
the public July 19. It will be open daily
from 11 am to 10 pm. Aside from food and drink, the space will offer
cultural events such as concerts and films.

This is the second location, like the first the one between the Florenc bus terminal and Masarykovo nádraží, is cash-free, with all of the vendors accepting debit or credit cards instead. It also is revitalizing a disused space on a temporary basis.

The location will be in operation only until National House Smíchov starts a planned renovation in about six months. Another new location should open in its place in 2020.

“More
music, more good food and more drinks —
and we can’t wait to share it with all of
you! This district deserves it. So come with us. Share, chat with
friends and lets start a new era in Smíchov, together,” the
organizers said on Facebook ahead of the opening weekend.

Manifesto
runs fully on green energy, coming from solar, wind and water
sources. It is also a smoke-free venue, and dogs must be on a leash.

The
focus of Manifesto is
on food and drink. The Smíchov
location has two bars, six restaurants and
a pool. The beer bar is operated by Pilsner and Vinohradský pivovar
and a “bubble bar” is by Le Valmont. The eateries are Miska by
Zátiší, Yazu by Sasazu Alebrijes – Cocina Mexicana, Faency
Fries, PokeHaus, and The Craft: Cheese & Steak.

People
are encouraged to eat at the venue, or take food away and have a
picnic in one of the local parks. There are benches in the adjacent
náměstí 14. října, and
parks such as Portheimka, Dienzenhoferovy sady and Kinského zahrada
is close walking distance.

For the design of the space, Manifesto worked with the duo Chybik+Krištof. The water surface they included acts as a mirror reflecting the surrounding buildings.

“We have in mind a summer oasis in the middle of the city featuring a refreshing pool – similar to our installation at the Milan Expo which became a hit of the international fair. For winter, the layout will change again,” Ondrej Chybik of Chybík+Krištof said.

Manifesto
has also initiated a new collaboration with Ameba Production, which
is behind Rock for People and other events. Ameba will curate free
music nights and at least one ticketed monthly concert.

The
original Manifesto won a prize for Retailer of the Year 2018 for Best
Customer Experience. It is the first fully cashless place in the
Czech Republic, thanks to a partnership with Mastercard.

Manifesto
has been initiated by Martin Barry, a landscape architect originally
from New York, and his design-focused nonprofit organization reSITE
which has a mission to improve the quality of life in the urbanized
world.

Plans
for an international expansion of the Czech-born innovative concept
are underway.