More and more Czechs are drinking mindfully – even when visiting pubs. A recent survey reveals a decline in alcohol consumption, with alcohol-free alternatives gaining popularity – a shift that is also changing the atmosphere in restaurants and bars.
The days of uncontrolled beer drinking in Czech pubs appear to be coming to an end – at least to some extent. A recent survey commissioned by the brewery Plzeňský Prazdroj shows that guests in restaurants and bars are becoming increasingly responsible with their alcohol intake. Two-thirds of respondents said they actively monitor their drinking habits – whether by alternating between alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks, snacking alongside their drink, or simply consuming less overall.
In concrete terms, this means: 48 percent of guests say they are drinking more slowly or drinking less overall. 47 percent deliberately opt for non-alcoholic alternatives from time to time, and around 28 percent counteract the effects of alcohol by eating a small bite. One in four regularly switches to non-alcoholic drinks during a night out.
According to Pavlína Kalousová, Head of Corporate Communications at Plzeňský Prazdroj, this development reflects a broader societal shift: “People’s lifestyles are changing. Many are more active and no longer see a restaurant visit purely as a drinking occasion, but as an experience. In that context, they’re choosing alcohol-free versions of their favourite drinks more often.” Sales figures back this up: while non-alcoholic beer accounted for just one percent of total sales twenty years ago, it reached twelve percent last year.
In fact, non-alcoholic beer has been booming in the Czech Republic for over a decade. In 2024, domestic sales reached a new record of 1.6 million hectolitres. At the same time, the per capita consumption of alcoholic beer declined: according to the Czech Association of Breweries and Malthouses, the average beer consumption in 2024 was 16 litres lower than in 2019.
This shift in drinking habits is also having an impact on the atmosphere in pubs and bars. Less alcohol often means a calmer, more pleasant environment – a benefit for patrons. Three-quarters of respondents said they felt more comfortable in places offering greater privacy and space for uninterrupted conversation – and tended to stay longer.
The survey also revealed some notable differences between the sexes: women regulate their alcohol intake significantly more often – in 66 percent of cases. Among men, this figure is 54 percent. One possible reason: men are more likely to admit feeling self-conscious when ordering non-alcoholic drinks in front of their friends. Age also plays a role: young adults between the ages of 18 and 39 are the most moderate group, with 63 percent reporting that they consciously slow down their drinking pace and limit their intake.
The trend towards moderate alcohol consumption shows that drinking culture in the Czech Republic is undergoing a noticeable shift. Less intoxication, more enjoyment – and a broader rethinking of habits that is already making itself felt in the hospitality industry.
