Bukowski's Bar
Named for the American writer Charles Bukowski, this Žižkov bar at Bořivojova 86 has operated since 2011 and built a loyal following on craft cocktails, quality local beers, cigars, and a deliberately dark, slightly chaotic aesthetic. The bartenders are skilled and approachable. It's the kind of bar where countless emotional nights have actually happened, which gives the place a lived-in weight that newer bars can't manufacture.
What to Expect
A dark, character-filled cocktail bar with good drinks and bartenders who treat the work seriously.
Dark and self-consciously literary. Genuinely independent and genuine in character.
Jazz, blues, classic rock, eclectic.
None. Come as you are.
Cocktail drinkers, people who want atmosphere over ambiance, Žižkov evening starters.
Card and cash.
Price Range
Cocktails 180-280 CZK. Beer 60-90 CZK.
Cocktails €7-11. Beer €2.50-3.50.
Hours
Daily 7 pm. 3 am.
Insider Tip
Order a cocktail and tell the bartender what you're in the mood for. Ask about the cigar selection if that's your thing. Mid-week is quieter and better for conversation.
Full Review
Walking into Bukowski's feels like stepping into someone's idea of a perfect dive, except the cocktails are genuinely excellent. The space is deliberately dark, with low ceilings, mismatched furniture, and walls that carry the residue of a thousand late nights. It's small enough that you'll brush shoulders with strangers, which is part of the design. The bar itself is the focal point, lined with bottles and tended by people who clearly know what they're doing.
The crowd skews local and literary-minded, or at least literary-adjacent. Conversations run long here. Service is attentive without being hovering; tell the bartender what mood you're in and they'll build something around it. Evenings start slow and build gradually, with the room reaching its stride around 10 PM on weekdays and earlier on weekends. The cigar option adds a layer of old-world charm that fits the aesthetic perfectly.
Compared to the flashier cocktail bars in Vinohrady or Prague 1, Bukowski's trades polish for personality. It doesn't compete on Instagram appeal. It competes on whether you'll still be thinking about it three days later. The drinks are priced fairly for the quality, especially given Prague's rising cocktail costs elsewhere.
Mid-week visits reward you with quieter rooms and more bartender attention. Weekend nights can get tight, and the limited seating means standing is likely after 11 PM. If you're a smoker, ask about the cigar menu early in the evening before the selection thins out.
The Neighborhood
Zizkov remains one of Prague's most independently minded neighborhoods, packed with pubs and bars that resist the tourist drift from the center. Bukowski's fits this identity perfectly, drawing from the area's creative and slightly rebellious drinking culture.
Getting There
Tram stops Lipanska or Jiriho z Podebrad metro station are both within a 10-minute walk. Taxis from Prague 1 run about 150 CZK.
Address
Bořivojova 86
Where to stay in Prague
Compare hotels near the nightlife districts. Free cancellation on most properties.
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Blind Eye
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U Sadu
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