By Clarke Bowling

Within the first hour of our initial orientation to Prague, the staff of our program offered one simple warning—beware of herna bars. Passing by these seedy looking establishments, it’s not hard to understand why. Whether they have flashing lights promising “Ruleta” or a more simple façade reading “HERNA NONSTOP” with a door leading to a subterranean playroom and bar, these mini-casinos with twenty-four hour bar service are attractive with their cheap beer prices and late-night hours, but are they really as unwelcoming as they seem?

A herna bar could be most likened to, perhaps, the diviest of the dives imaginable: smoke-filled air, a room full of slot machines (half of which haven’t worked in years), and a cast of drunken characters that seem to be as fixed to their location as the bar itself. Why might one want to stop into such an establishment, you may ask? Well, other than providing an intimate look at the local Czech character, herna bars often have the cheapest beer on tap in Prague—as low as CZK 20 for a half liter. However, coupled with some losses at the machines (which often have no discernible way of cashing out other than asking someone who works there), prices can end up averaging the same as a more reputable establishment…so watch out!

When ordering, watch your language. Of being an American in a herna bar, Daniel Witharna, an NYU junior in Gallatin, said, “The waitress didn’t speak English, but was really friendly…and another herna bar patron translated for us.” However, he said, at a herna bar near Osadni, “It was like a movie, as soon as we walked in everyone noticed us. It was really awkward and the longer we stayed, we felt more and more uncomfortable.” Another herna was even more abrupt: “We were turned down by one…that insisted we gambled before we bought beer.”

So, if you’re apt to try out the herna bar scene, just be aware of your position and try to be as inconspicuous as possible. One tip: if you think you’re up to it, try ordering drinks in Czech to strike a rapport with the waitress or bartender. It could help mark you as a foreigner living in Prague who is trying to learn the language and fit in rather than a loud, rowdy American tourist looking to make scene. If you think you find yourself more in the latter, stick to Chapeau Rouge.

Clarke Bowling is a sophomore at NYU.

Real Men Wear Kilts: The Real McKenzies are performing at Rock Cafe, Tuesday and Wednesday nights, February 9 and 10.

By Yevgeniy Levich

End of The Weak International MC Challenge: Modeled after New York’s long running weekly hip hop open mic of the same name, MCs from across Europe get a chance to show their stuff every second Tuesday of the month at Cross Club. Watch MCs from all over work to impress and enjoy Cross Club’s unique postmodern grunge atmosphere. Tuesday, February 9. Address: Plynarni 23, Prague 7, behind the Autoschool down the block from Nádraží Holešovice metro stop. www.crossclub.cz , http://bit.ly/cds0yW

Concert: The Real McKenzies: Formed in 1994, the band takes influence from their Scottish roots, mixing stylized folk with Scotch fueled punk rock sensibilities. The Canadian Celtic punks bring their unique brand of folk punk, turned down a bit, to the Rock Café for two nights of acoustic sets. Tuesday, February 9, and Wednesday, February 10, at 8:00 p.m. Tickets: CZK 250 for preorder, CZK 300 at the door; Limited availability. Purchase at Rock Café or www.ticketstream.cz. Address: Národní 20, Prague 1, next to Galerie Louvre. http://rockcafe.cz/.

Open Mic: The Royal Oak, an English style pub in Vinohrady, hosts a weekly open mic night every Wednesday with live music throughout the week. They also offer CZK 28 Gambrinus and reasonably priced harder liquor on top of some traditional English pub grub for you to sample. Wednesday, February 10, at 7:00 p.m. Address: Anny Letenské 18, Vinohrady, Prague 2. http://www.royaloakprague.com/

Art: Krištof Kintera’s A Bigger Problem Than Yours: An angel made of light fixtures and glowing bulbs, or a modern raven that speaks in ad slogans and news headlines, are only some of the installations you’ll see at Krištof Kintera’s newest gallery show.  Kintera, who recently worked with David Černý on “Entropa”, specializes in sculptures and installations made from refitted and redefined every day items. Runs until March 20.
Address: Jiří Švestka Gallery; Biskupský dvůr, Prague 1. http://www.jirisvestka.com/

Workshops at Muddum: Instead of doing the museum thing, you can always make your own art. Muddum is a community art space and workshop founded by the Club of Friends and Fine Arts in 2004. During their winter trimester they offer classes in sculpture, pottery, animation and crafts. Classes start daily at 3:00 p.m. Address: Kostelni 24, Prague 7. http://www.muddum.cz/eng/index.html

Yevgeniy Levich is a student at New York University, where he is studying journalism and economics.

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