A buzz without booze: Prague’s top non-alcoholic beers and high-vibe hangouts

Prague has long held the crown as the world’s beer capital, but a quiet revolution is brewing in its famous pubs and vaulted cellars.

As "Dry February" (Suchej únor) kicks off, a record-breaking 1.6 million Czechs are putting down the pint glass—or rather, filling it with a sober alternative. For those navigating the city’s social scene this month, the days of settling for a sugary lemonade or a dusty bottle of basic non-alcoholic lager are officially over.

The shift is backed by some serious numbers. According to the Czech Beer and Malt Association, non-alcoholic beer now claims nearly 10 percent of the Czech domestic market, with production doubling over the last six years. In 2024, local breweries pumped out 1.6 million hectoliters of alcohol-free brews.

"Guests don't stay at home just because they aren't drinking," explains Tereza Pospíšilová, manager of Pult beer bar. "They know they can go out, socialize, and choose from a diverse selection."

Whether you're observing Dry February, driving home, or simply curious about the alternatives now available, here's where to find Prague's best non-alcoholic beer experiences.

The Lokál chain understands something crucial: going alcohol-free doesn't mean giving up the social buzz. Enter Červená, their house-made non-alcoholic shot. The base is dealcoholized wine enriched with herbal extract and a pinch of chili, delivering that gentle pungency that makes you feel like you're joining the toast, minus the hangover. Available year-round at all seven locations in Prague, it's served alongside Birell on tap.

"We notice that guests are willing to give up alcohol, but at the same time they do not want to miss out on some of the social rituals," explains Adam Utíkal, brand manager of Lokál.

This modern microbrewery has become a beacon for craft beer enthusiasts, and they're not leaving their sober friends behind. The Karlín brewery produces non-alcoholic versions of the increasingly popular sour beer style—tart, complex, and entirely alcohol-free. Dva Kohouti brings the same obsessive attention to detail to their zero-proof offerings as they do to their flagship brews.

The newly opened Skô restaurant in the Holešovice Market takes the Lokál concept of Červená and elevates it into a sophisticated long drink. They combine the herbal shot with Utopia vinegar (a blend of apple, orange, vanilla, and cinnamon) and grapefruit soda for a non-alcoholic drink just as thoughtfully composed as its boozy counterparts.

With 32 rotating taps and hundreds of bottles, BeerGeek in Vinohrady is Prague's go-to for craft beer enthusiasts. While known for their house brand Sibeeria and constantly changing Czech and international craft selection, they maintain a solid selection of non-alcoholic options.

This sleek beer bar in Vinohrady typically offers around five non-alcoholic beers, but cranks up its selection come February. Manager Tereza Pospíšilová makes a point of featuring Polish breweries, which she considers Europe's best in the non-alcoholic category. Expect to find adventurous styles like sour and pastry sour beers.

Housed in a restored 1894 brewery building in Vinohrady with stunning vaulted ceilings and porthole windows overlooking copper fermentation tanks, Vinohradský Pivovar has been a leader in Prague's craft scene since 2011. While they're famous for their unfiltered Czech pilsners and IPAs, they've embraced the growing demand for quality non-alcoholic options.

Non-alcoholic pairing has long been part of the drink offering at this Michelin-recognized restaurant in Old Town. "We don't create non-alcoholic drinks as a replacement for wine, but as a full-fledged part of the gastronomic experience," says general manager Marek Tříska.

Sommeliers work with cold-pressed fruit and vegetable juices, nuts, legumes, and process ingredients down to the last bit. One standout: a drink made from sage, apple, and roasted poppy seeds. "The apple forms the basis of the taste, the sage adds aromatics and the roasted poppy seeds give a slightly bitter aftertaste," explains sommelier Zdeněk Oudes.

One of Prague's pioneering craft breweries is finally entering the non-alcoholic game. The new location at Jiřího z Poděbrad will debut Matuška's first-ever house-brewed non-alcoholic beer, something the Broumy-based brewery has never tackled before due to pasteurization limitations.

With non-alcoholic beer already accounting for 10-15% of sales at their Hradčanská location, founder Adam Matuška recognized the demand was too significant to ignore. The new location is set to open mid-February.