Scouting for Prague’s best hidden café

By Olly Sullivan

It seems impossible to escape the hustle and bustle of Prague’s Old Town Square during the day, but in the manic centre lies a hidden oasis.

Behind an old brass door, and up a winding flight of stairs is Skautsky Institut – a small café run solely by members of local scout and guide groups.

Offering a range of hot and cold snacks, juices and coffees, the quirky café is the perfect place to unwind after watching the nearby Astronomical Clock strike the hour.

Also on offer are two local beers, as well as a small selection of wines, all without the high city centre price tag.

Jakub Ambrozek, 24, who works for the Skautsky Instut’s public relations department said he loves his job here.

“I’ve been involved with the scouts my whole life, starting when I was around nine-years-old,” he said.

“We were originally only volunteers, but now we have a small group of full-time and part-time staff, all of whom have been involved with the scouts or the guides for most of their lives.”

Although the cafe has mostly been funded by the Skautsky Insitut, a scouts organisation that was founded to preserve the national scout archives, they have also received EU funding.

“We’ve received 100,000 Euro funding from the EU, which has really helped us out,” Jakub explained.

Although the cafe is well tucked away, a series of YouTube videos by the ‘Prague Guide’ has seen the cafe gain lots of attention from tourists.

“Janek [the ‘Prague Guide’] has become a good friend of ours, he’s a regular in here and sometimes helps out behind the bar. It’s nice that it’s brought attention to us.” Jakub said.

Once you’ve got your drink, take a seat by the windows and look out onto the historic square with its packed out bars, and for once in Prague – enjoy the peace and quiet.