Take an armchair visit to a unique brewery, pub or other intoxicating venue that has a story you’ll love.
Golden Tiger:
Do you believe in Yin and Yang? I specifically mean “the concept of dualism, describing how seemingly opposite or contrary forces may actually be complementary, interconnected, and interdependent in the natural world, and how they may give rise to each other as they interrelate to one another.”
Yesterday I wrote about a pub (The Brick Store Pub) started in 1997 that was transformed and elevated by creating a large cellar of vintage beers for its customers. If you missed the article, go read it here: https://firkinbeer.com/20…/…/12/brick-store-pub-virtual-tour/.
Today’s story presents a pub located in a building that has carried the symbol of a walking tiger since 1702. The pub serves only one beer, served as fresh as possible. And this opposite business model has proven so successful that the bar is a landmark in its country and has even hosted heads of state, including the U.S. President. The pub (located in Prague, Czech Republic) is named The Golden Tiger (in Czech, house U Zlatého Tygra).
The walking Golden Tiger emblem on entry door.
This iconic pub is located on Husova Street in Prague’s Old Town and is one of the oldest pubs in the center of the city. The Golden Tiger was the second place in the entire capital to serve the renowned Pilsner Urquell beer. Read my article about Pilsner Urquell’s brewery here: https://firkinbeer.com/…/…/07/plzenzky-prazdroj-virtual-tour/.
Serving Pilsner Urquell at The Golden Tiger.
When Bill Clinton visited the Czech Republic in 1994, Czech President Vaclav Havel took him and Madeleine Albright to The Golden Tiger to show them a “real” Czech pub. The press reported that President Clinton enjoyed three beers and a schnitzel, and that he skipped his regular jog the following morning.
Czech President Vaclav Havel, U.S. President Bill Clinton and Madeleine Albright at the Golden Tiger. Photo used for educational purposes.
Popular with locals, The Golden Tiger opens from 3 to 11 every day. When we visited, my wife and I arrived about 15 minutes before 3 and a line formed behind us quickly while we waited for the pub to open. Once opened, The Golden Tiger was filled within about 10 minutes.
The Golden Tiger is a certified server of Pilsner Urquell, so the beer is fresh, on draft and delicious. If you haven’t consumed Pilsner Urquell fresh and on draft, then you really haven’t had Pilsner Urquell.
Pilsner Urquell plaque indicating The Golden Tiger is a certified server for their beer.
Seating is community oriented so you are bound to meet someone. We met a nice Polish couple from Krakow that were just in Prague for the day (Prague is about a 4 hour drive from Krakow) and quickly established new friends.
Community seating
When served your first beer, the waiter puts a small slip of paper at your table with a mark. Each time you get a new beer, another mark is added. You basically don’t need to ask for another beer because as soon as your glass is empty another one seems to almost instantly appear. How do you stop this flow of beers? Fold the paper in half.
Card Open – Bring beer as soon as my glass is empty! Card Closed – I’m done!
The Golden Tiger is a fantastic place to visit but I suggest you get there early. Don’t be surprised if you make some new friends.
Na zdraví!
