Here's how to become a Lokál star

Good beer and honest cooking

Lokál is a dream which came true – one of a Czech pub where regulars feel at home. In 2009 we opened Lokál Dlouháááá, and the others soon followed. Today we have nine locations – seven in Prague, one in Brno and another in Pilsen.
We serve beer that's fresh, right to the last sip, and real home cooking. Lokál is a place where good beer and honest food matter.

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"Our group is a little different each time, but the basics remain. The optimal number is up to fifteen people - if there are more, it's harder to fit into the restaurants," says Ondra, the leader of the party. They always prepare certificates, prizes and other essentials in advance, and they're ready to go. "The ideal and already proven route starts in Kunratice at Lokál U Zavadilů. We meet there for the opening ceremony. After that, the longest stretch without beer awaits us, but shops and petrol stations make up for that," laughs Ondřej.

The second place the group heads to is Lokál Korunní, where they usually manage to sit down and have a bite to eat. They recommend the excellent roast beef. The third stop is Lokál U Bílé kuželky. "Here you can also sit on the pavement in front of the pub. Then we continue to Lokál Nad Stromovkou, where we sit in the park for a change. It has worked well for us to go on the tour in the warmer months. We moved the date from March to April and it was a great idea - already nice and warm, but it's not too hot," says Ondra.

Their fifth stop is in Karlín at Lokál Hamburk. By then it's already starting to get dark and the group stands outside again, in the little park across the street. The sixth Lokál is Dlouhááá. "The location here is very problematic, but it's usually manageable," he remarks. They arrive at the last and home Lokál U Jiráta between 9 and 10 pm. The group is rewarded with a bottle of pear juice and congratulations from the staff.

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A diploma with a hangover

And what about the drinking regime? "We ideally have one large beer and one schnapps at each pub. The faster ones can manage more. We've added a box on the diploma for counting beers," says Ondra.

The route from Kunratice to Vodičkova Street is about 27 kilometres long. However, thanks to the many stops and refreshments, even less fit hikers can manage it and the route can be well spread out over the whole day. "In addition to a hangover, participants take away a souvenir in the form of diplomas and a badge or sticker. We give the diploma at the start and at each Lokál they add a beer stamp or sticker. So everyone knows how much they have overcome. Sometimes we don't finish, it happens..." concludes Ondra. If you want to see photos and videos from their tour, you can follow the Instagram page, Putování za pivem.

This text was originally published in Štamgast newspaper, available in all Lokáls.