Pubs

Besides being the center of extracurricular activity, hospody are the best places for a fulfilling, inexpensive meal and a true Czech experience -- not to mention the beer. Food selections are typically the same: svícková, gulás, rostená na rostu, or breaded fried hermelín cheese (smazený sýr). Reservations aren't usually accepted, though, so you'll usually just have to show up and hope for an empty seat.

Sports, Spuds & Suds -- The Sport Bar Prague-Zlatá Hvezda (tel. 296-222-292), on Ve smeckách 12, Prague 2, is about 3 blocks from the top of Wenceslas Square. Here you'll find lots of big screens, decent bar food, and sports action -- with local prices. A half liter of beer costs as little as 35Kc. It normally closes around midnight, but will stay open late for big games.