They stand out, as the likely lads wearing ‘I turned Philip Schofield’ did, so we want to keep the stag party revelry in Prague.
I’m one of those Brits, though not in that Pip tribute band, who has rolled down the Castle hill from Pilsener.
So I’m looking at the Praguers’ decision to place tramlines on the booze boys and girls in their city with a clear head.
Because let’s be straight which is something some boozed-up Brits aren’t.
Because while Czech cops will be out in force to disrupt pub crawls between 10pm and 6am.
With organisers violating it facing fines of up to 100,000 koruna (€3,983).
Fourteen hours should be long enough to give you that happy feeling.
Monks of the Castle
Such is the strength of the Czech beer too that you’ll not need nearly that long to gain the desired effect.
Now knowing to my cost from my own stag do back in Aberdeen 30 years ago it is advisory to line your tummy.
And that is exactly what Czechs do with their meaty hearty soups and stews.
Now if you want refuge from the Pip tribute band and their ilk then our advice would be to stay away from the centre.
And head uphill to the Castle.
And share your time with the monks of Strahov Monastery.
A beer habit
Founded in 1140, it has at its heart the church of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary.
And the rare Strahov Library with a number of medieval manuscripts, maps and globes.
The Baroque Theological Hall, the Classical Philosophy Hall decorated with frescoes, and the Strahov Gallery.
Probably not on the bucket list for your stag party organiser.
Strahov’s best kept secret is of course its bar/restaurant.
Where I was fortunate enough to get the guided tour of the in-house brewery.
And I assure you I was on my best behaviour, smiling and nodding vacantly.
Because I’d drunk through three courses of Amber, Dark and IPA.
Food with that
With the food in this country where more people drink per head of population merely there to soak up the food.
That food being fine beer onion soup, dark lager beef goulash dumplings or pork ribs in beer marinade.
And even for dessert with Strahov listing…
‘Beer or classic ice cream according to a daily offer – made by Angelato from our beer’.
Oh Brother!
Now because stag parties aren’t exactly known for their monastic abstinence you’ll be free to enjoy your fare here in peace.
And good spirits with the monks, plain-clothed, who for all their disciplines draw the line at drink.
And they know better than any its strength and the volume they can consume (a lot)!
The interior of the medieval wine cellar is also available all year round.
While in the summer you can use the outdoor garden V Ráji with a view of the monastery vineyard.
The quest for solitude
They advise too a stay at the Questenberg Hotel with a standard room/double bed for €107.46.
So that’s us sorted while you keep the stag party revelry in Prague.
By sticking to the new drinking hours and avoiding those bank-busting bills.
Ryanair flies to Prague from Britain and Ireland from €67.28.