Prague (Praha) Gay and Lesbian Travel

The birthplace of Martina Navratilova, Prague is widely considered the most GLBT-friendly city in Eastern Europe. Don’t be surprised to see some more explicit stuff than you’re used to; Prague is a center for commercial sex, and that attitude carries over to the GLBT scene. The gorgeous city is also notable for having a lesbian scene just as vibrant as its gay one. To find out more about GLBT establishments and organizations in Prague, czech out www.praguegayguide.net/.

Club Střelec, Žitná 51, Praha 2 (tel: 60 694 7673) This low-key GLBT hangout is so happy with the small set of locals it serves, it almost refused to be listed. A night at this ace hole-in-the-wall where students mix with septuagenarians could end over beers and traded stories or on top of the tables with an impromptu elderly strip tease. Ask the one bartender who speaks English for authentic Czech drinks like the Bloody Back, a combo of cherry liqueur and vodka drunk simultaneously from two separate shot glasses. But be warned, this pub does cater to seniors as well as students, so don’t go looking for too wild a time. Beer 17-31Kč. Mixed drinks 25-50Kč. Happy hour daily 5-8pm.
Valentino, Vinohradská 40 (tel: 222 51 34 91, www.club-valentino.cz) On weekends, this caterpillar of a gay club blooms into a beautiful butterfly when it adds two additional dance floors to its always-open dance basement and ground-floor bar. In such a huge club, you can tailor weekend nights to your type: get down and d-d-d-dirty on one of the three “floors,” bob yo’ brain to the beat with a drink at the bar, or, like Chill Bones Bill Bones Baggins, veg out on the patio with a pipe full of the Shire’s best tobacco weed. Heck—don’t even wait for the weekend. The basement dance floor shakes even when the full club isn’t open. Females regularly in attendance; straight gents, not so much. Full club only open F-Sa. No cover. Beer 19-80Kč. Mixed drinks 33-135Kč. Open daily 11am-5am.
Latimerie Club, Slezská 74 (tel: 224 25 20 49, www.latimerieclub.cz) Watch out for floating fish at this vaguely nautical gay bar that brings together a group of hip locals with fun foreigners. Perfect for travelers looking for more well-lit evenings, Latimerie isn’t a slutty, sweaty grind-fest; it’s just as animate, but slightly less sinister. That’s not to say the club doesn’t get wild—no printed closing time means the party goes as late as it’s bumping. Beer 30-50Kč. Mixed drinks 50-180Kč. Open M-F 4pm-late, Sa-Su 6pm-late.