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Those who have called Prague home since the 1990s can lovingly recall its gritty post-revolution nightlife scene, where entertainment thrived in the city’s dark corners and underground caverns. Zlatý Strom emerged in this time of sweeping change and has transfixed party-goers ever since, proving legends never die—they just reinvent themselves.
Enticing locals to venture into the tourist-packed center for a night on the town can be a hard sell though. Can major renovations and Insta-worthy drinks keep revelers coming back for more? Zlatý Strom thinks so, captivating a new generation of clubgoers while still honoring the energy and legacy that made it a local icon.
Hidden beneath Hotel U Zlatého Stromu, just steps from Charles Bridge, the venue trades tourist gimmickry for signature cocktails, captivating interiors, and a compelling DJ lineup.
We wanted to preserve a sense of nostalgia for those locals who used to come here during Zlatý Strom’s heyday when the club scene was loud and evolving,” explains Štefan Novák, the club’s marketing and PR manager.
“Zlatý Strom has been helping shape Prague’s nightlife for more than 30 years,” Novák adds. “But we’ve moved beyond being ‘just a club.’ It is a new era, after all.”
From grit to glamour: The new Zlatý Strom
While its address may be along Old Town's most crowded streets, Zlatý Strom feels more like an insider’s secret than a guidebook attraction. “We don’t have a lot of signage,” Novák describes. “You really have to know where you are going to find it, but once you’re in, we want you to feel like you are home again.”
There is no entrance fee for the multilevel venue—a rarity for city center hotspots. The goal, explains Novák, was to give Zlatý Strom a feeling of exclusivity while being accessible to all, starting from the moment you walk in the door.
A psychedelic ceiling of upside-down flowers and greenery makes you feel like Alice in Wonderland in search of her first shot of Becherovka. Shimmery gold accents, crystal chandeliers, neon-lit surfaces, and plush leather-inspired finishes come to life thanks to Pavel “Pavka” Šíma, the creative force behind Black Angel’s Bar, another Old Town icon. Šíma’s trippy-meets-refined interiors set the tone for a memorable night out in an old haunt reimagined.
Craft cocktails meet Czech prices
An army of expert mixologists greets you at the bar with an innovative cocktail list, serving up signature drinks like the Becher’s Mai Tai, made with Havana Club rum, Becherovka, Amaretto Disaronno, lemon juice and passionfruit. It will only set you back 225 CZK, a well-mixed bargain in a part of town where cocktails can easily run you 300 CZK or more.
Affordable pricing leads to more fun, which is why the minds behind Zlatý Strom’s revamp keep offerings in line with “Czech prices.” Think a glass of prosecco for 89 CZK or a vodka shot for 65 CZK, along with special occasion splurges like a bottle of vintage Dom Pérignon at 8,990 CZK.
Underground entertainment without pushy tourists
The venue is famous for its “hidden bar” concept, a unique design approach that breaks the labyrinthine space up into various themed areas to explore.
Several lounges, each with its own distinct atmosphere and vibe, offer guests intimate spaces matching their party mood. From here, they can navigate to more boisterous areas, taking in pole-dancing shows and live DJ sets by a rotating cast of local spinners on different floors.
And if you get hungry? Head upstairs to the Zlatý Strom restaurant on the hotel’s ground floor, where you can fill up on homemade pasta, pizza, grilled meat and more. From pre-dinner drinks to post-midnight mingling (and late-night eats upstairs), Zlatý Strom is designed to be a one-stop nightlife destination.
“You really can begin and end your night here,” Novák reminiscences. “Just like in the old days.”
