Speak Czech with confidence in the most Czech place of all: the pub.
Watch the Full Video Explanation
If you prefer a visual explanation with more examples, watch my video below:
Greeting the Staff
When you enter a Czech pub or restaurant, it’s polite to greet the staff.
“Dobrý den.” = “Good day” (it is used throughout the day).
Check if the table you chose is reserved. Look for a small sign that says “rezervace” or sometimes “reservé.”
If the pub is busy or full, you can ask:
„Stůl pro dva?“ = A table for two?
„Stůl pro tři?“ = A table for three?
„Stůl pro čtyři?“ = A table for four?
Ordering Your Drink
The waiter might ask right you:
“Co si dáte k pití?” = What would you like to drink?
“Co si dáte?” = What would you like?
A simple response:
„Dám si pivo.“ = I’ll have a beer. (In many pubs, that’s enough if they have only one beer on tap.)
„Dám si malé pivo.“ – I’ll have a small beer (0.3 L).
Velké pivo = 0.5 L
Malé pivo = 0.3 L
Choosing a Specific Beer
„Jaké máte pivo?“ – What kind of beer do you have?
You might hear something like:
Plzeň – The classic Pilsner.
Kozel tmavý / černý – Dark (sweet) beer from Velké Popovice.
Radegast desítka – A bitter, dry 10° beer from Moravia.
Staropramen jedenáctka – An 11° lager from Prague.
You can order by name or degree:
„Dám si Plzeň.“ – I’ll have a Pilsner.
„Dám si Radegast.“ – I’ll have a Radegast.
„Dám si Kozla.“ – I’ll have a Kozel.
„Dám si desítku.“ – I’ll have a ten-degree beer.
„Dám si jedenáctku.“ – I’ll have an eleven.
„Dám si dvanáctku.“ – I’ll have a twelve.
Add “prosím” at the end to be polite:
„Dám si dvanáctku, prosím.“ – I’ll have a twelve, please.
Once your beer arrives
When the waiter brings the beer to your table, say:
“Děkuju/děkuji.” = Thank you.
“Díky.” = Thanks.
Wait for the foam to settle. Clink glasses with eye contact and say:
“Na zdraví!” = To your health!
When you’re ready for another round:
„Ještě jedno, prosím.“ – One more, please.
Paying the Bill and Leaving
When it’s time to go:
„Zaplatíme, prosím.“ – We’ll pay, please.
„Zaplatím, prosím.“ – I’ll pay, please.
„Zaplatím kartou.“ – I’ll pay by card.
„Zaplatím v hotovosti.“ – I’ll pay in cash.
Tipping tip: Leave about 5–10% if you want to stay in the staff’s good graces.
And finally, as you leave:
„Děkuju, nashledanou!“ – Thank you, goodbye!
„Díky, mějte se!“ – Thanks, take care! (More casual)