Prague’s Jazz Venues Declassfied!

While the Czech Republic may be best known for Bohemian folk and classical music, it also has an incredibly strong jazz presence. Prague is the hub of jazz in the country, hosting the International Jazz Festival and several renowned jazz clubs. Throughout my semester abroad, I’ve made an effort to explore multiple different jazz bars and clubs, in search of the best one. Here are a few of the venues I’ve visited, as well as my recommendations if you’re interested in immersing yourself in the Prague jazz scene.

AghaRTA Jazz Centrum

For many, including TripAdvisor, AghaRTA is the #1 jazz club in Prague. About a five-minute walk from campus, the venue offers live jazz every night from 9–12 p.m. The venue, located in a 14th-century basement, prides itself on both its international artists as well as its local Czech jazz acts. It opened on September 29, 1991, the day after the death of one of the founders of modern jazz, Miles Davis (the club is named after his important album of the 1970s). Like the venue, each cocktail is cleverly named after one of Davis’ albums and is reasonably priced. It’s 300 Kč, about $15, for entry, and has a great atmosphere and intimacy.

My personal thoughts:

I saw jazz at least once a week this semester, and any time I couldn’t pick a venue, this was always my go-to. Their lineup includes a lot of repeats and is generally more limited than other venues, but I considered that a plus, as I discovered a few bands that I liked and watched them multiple times. I ended up watching Martin’s group (see his Spotlight) here multiple times and had an amazing time. AghaRTA never disappointed me, and will honestly be one of the places I will miss most in Prague when the semester ends.

Jazz Dock

Jazz Dock is a lounge bar for live jazz on the Vltava River. It’s a modern glass building, providing beautiful scenery of Prague at night. It’s also Professor Tony Ackerman’s favorite jazz venue in Prague.

“It has a great, varied lineup of bands, not all in the genre  of ‘jazz,’ but all interesting. The vibe, food, and atmosphere are all great,” he shared. They also have a real grand piano, unlike the electric piano at AghaRTA, which Professor Ackerman’s group prefers.

My personal thoughts:

This is probably the most beautiful jazz venue I have discovered while studying abroad, and the entry fee is quite reasonable, at only $7. When I went, I watched NYU Prague professor, Beata Hlavenková, perform her own jazz art-rock music. Each act I have seen there has been incredibly interesting and modern, but didn’t end up going there as much because on most nights you need a reservation to ensure you have a seat.

Jazz Republic

Jazz Republic is another leading jazz venue in Prague, offering jazz, funk, blues, dance, Latin, acid jazz, world music and fusion live daily. Based in a Romanesque cellar in Old Town, Jazz Republic has held many internationally famous jazz and rock acts, including Wynton Marsalis, Dave Brubeck, Toots Thielemans, B.B. King, and Sting. As soon as you step inside, you’ll see the signed posters and photographs that decorate the club and form its unique atmosphere. While music is played every night, the venue also doubles as a cafe during the daytime.

My personal thoughts:

A major plus: entry is free, which is nice when you’re discovering new artists and just wanting to try something new. The downside: the venue is quite popular, and the room where the artists perform is quite small. But even though it has been quite crowded every time I’ve gone, it is incredibly lively and interesting with reasonably priced food and beverages.

Reduta Jazz Club

Founded in 1958, Reduta Jazz Club is one of the three oldest jazz clubs in Europe. The club prides itself on a long tradition of hosting several jazz legends through the International Jazz Festival of Prague, which introduced Prague to stars like B.B. King, Duke Ellington and Herbie Hancock. However, their marketing is based on a triumphant past, yet they have a complicated present. According to many Czech locals, Reduta has become a major tourist trap, with an entry fee of 395 Kč on most nights.

My personal thoughts:

When I went to Reduta, I listened to “Tribute to World Legends: Louis Armstrong.” Like many, I’ve grown up listening to Louis Armstrong and recognize him as the single most influential person in the history of jazz. That being said, I was really looking forward to the performance and enjoyed listening to his most famous works, but the experience itself felt quite catered to tourists. Their lineup is undeniably appealing though, with upcoming shows such as “Tribute to the Queens of Jazz” and “Tribute to Great Pop Singers in Jazz.” However, if you’re looking to immerse yourself in the Prague jazz scene, I might recommend a venue that offers a different, more Czech-based lineup.

Fun Fact: Former U.S. President Bill Clinton played an impromptu tenor saxophone performance at Reduta in 1994!

Malostranská Beseda

Malostranská Beseda is a venue in Malostranské Náměstí that offers a variety of acts, including jazz. It has a 100-year-old tradition of supporting new and edgy artists. Famously, it has always been a free space to explore different genres other than the normalized pop music that dominate television and radio broadcasts. The venue is located on the ground floor of a cafe and restaurant that serves tasty food and quality beer.

According to Professor Ackerman, it’s usually necessary to reserve seats, but it is worth it.

 

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