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As you all know, and as you’ve probably gathered from reading my blog so far, my attention toward ‘emerging’ markets such as Central-Eastern Europe and the Balkans has been steadily growing in recent years. Just a few days ago, I traveled to the Czech Republic, where I was invited alongside several other prominent names in the bar industry as a speaker at the Bar Education Symposium—a highly anticipated event held in the Czech capital.
Prague is always one of the most beautiful cities in Europe, and my excitement to return, share a masterclass, and serve drinks to my Czech colleagues is truly unmatched.
Although the Symposium was wonderful and exceptionally well organized, and Prague’s cocktail bars never disappoint—as confirmed by international rankings featuring spots like Forbina, Alma, Hemingway, L’Fleur, and Black Angel among the top—what truly struck me was discovering new venues that I hadn’t had the chance to visit on my previous trips to the Czech Republic. If you walk beyond the historic center along the avenue leading to the National Museum, make sure to stop by the W Prague Hotel. Beyond the wonderful street-front café, you’ll find a small wooden door that leads down into Minus One cocktail bar.
Located literally underneath the hotel, a walk down the stairs opens into a warm and welcoming space divided into several rooms designed for different experiences: a intimate, cozy main bar; a spacious room dedicated entirely to seating; a dedicated lounge featuring delicious wines; and a much larger bar housed within a space that has operated as a pub since 1905. Here, Art Nouveau lamps and original wall frescoes contrast with an elegant, classy bar counter where I had the honor of guest-bartending during my evening shift.
But the journey didn’t end there… a few days before arriving in Prague, the event organizers welcomed us to another Czech city for a pre-symposium gathering. Located just under two hours by car from the German border, Karlovy Vary is a colorful, historic town in western Bohemia. Renowned for its more than 80 thermal springs, this town of around 50,000 residents sees an incredible annual influx of visitors, reaching approximately 1.3 to 1.4 million overnight tourists alone.
While the thermal baths are a core attraction, they aren’t the only draw: every July, the town hosts the Karlovy Vary International Film Festival—one of Europe’s most prestigious film events—where celebrities from around the globe come to accept the coveted Crystal Globe. Last but not least, Karlovy Vary is the birthplace of the famous herbal liqueur, Becherovka.
As you can imagine, the city center is a absolute gem filled with vibrant buildings featuring classic local architecture, high-end resorts, and luxury hotels. It was right here at the Grandhotel Pupp—one of the oldest hotels I have ever visited, celebrating 325 years today in 2026—that we were hosted for a few days to explore this wonderful city and have the privilege of serving its guests behind the bar. Becher’s Bar is an incredible cocktail bar located in the hotel’s oldest wing.
Descending a spiral staircase brings you to the lower level, where a magnificent long wooden bar, carpeted interiors, and comfortable seating for around 120 guests welcome a lively crowd every evening, toasting and enjoying the cocktail menu until 2 AM. Black-and-white portrait photography of cinema legends adorns the walls with striking artistic shots. Right there at that table, as Bar Manager Vítězslav Cirok shared with me, Johnny Depp once sat down with his guitar, singing and leaving everyone completely speechbound. While hotel bars worldwide often struggle to attract steady crowds, this team has mastered it.
The perception here—and confirmed in my chats with the staff—is that every single night the bar is packed with guests enjoying drinks and ordering cocktails from the bartenders, which is no small feat. Living in Italy, I’ve seen hotel bars thankfully return to serving both in-house guests and locals, but traveling around the world, I rarely see hotel bars as vibrant and full as Becher’s Bar at the Grandhotel Pupp.
Huge compliments to the team—you are easily one of the most exciting discoveries of 2026.
Here’s to great hospitality, to newly discovered destinations, and to those still waiting to be explored.
Diego Ferrari
Diego Ferrari 