Best Jazz Clubs in Prague: Reduta and AghaRTA

Prague has famous jazz clubs and a strong jazz tradition. The city hosts world class performers and also showcases local Czech musicians. Prague International Jazz Festival is famous and held annually in autumn. No need to wait for autumn because you can listen to jazz every evening in one of the Jazz clubs in Stare Mesto, Nove Mesto or Mala Strana districts. Famous Clubs are Reduta and AghaRTA. Alternatively go on a Jazz cruise: sail on the Vltava River while listening to jazz and your taste buds feast on a three-course Czech-cuisine meal.

Jazz Clubs in Nove Mesto

1. Jazz Club Reduta, Narodni 20, Nove mesto
Reduta Jazz Club is in the basement of a large building which also home to the historic Cafe Louvre. The stage is small and quite close to the audience. Try to get a seat near the front otherwise you may sit at an awkward angle. As there is no waiter service, you will have to get your drinks from the bar which is just outside the main room. Bassist Jan Arnet started the Reduta Jazz Club in 1957. Since then it has hosted some of the biggest names in jazz including Wynton Marsalis, Dave Brubeck and Chick Corea. At the end of the1980s, it becomes a centre where political and cultural persons meet, in anticipation of the Velvet Revolution. In 1994, Bill Clinton, who as an amateur player, participated in a traditional jam session.

Opening hours:
Bar: Daily from 7pm
Live Jazz: Daily 9pm-1am advance booking starts at 3pm.

2. Jazz Cruise, meeting place: Gate 2 under Cechuv Bridge. The name of the boat: Kotva, Prague Boats
Relax, sit back and listen to the sounds of classical jazz while you cruise the Vltava River. You will pass under Charles Bridge and see the outline of the illuminated Prague Castle against the skyline. This is an out-of-the ordinary experience: seeing famous Prague landmarks, like the Dancing House and Vysehrad Castle, while enjoying jazz music. Decide for yourself if you have drinks only, or indulge in authentic Czech meal. The music programme varies from traditional Jazz, Latin, Cuban, Brazilian and Ethno Jazz, to Swing and Blues. The boat is heated in winter and air-conditioned in summer. Have your dinner at a table inside or move to the sun deck.

Book here Jazz Cruise

Jazz Clubs in Stare Mesto and Mala Strana

1. AghaRTA Jazz Club, Zelezna 16, Stare Mesto
Located deep below street level in gothic vaults, AghaRTA offers live jazz every evening. While Jazz is the main theme, other musical styles come here to play. The stage is quite small the audience is squeezed in and sits close to the musicians. There is waiter service and you need not leave your seat. Arrive early so that you need not stand all evening. The crowd is a mixture of all ages and nationalities. The name AghaRTA was inspired by the 1975 album of the trumpeter, composer and bandleader Miles Davis. Each year during October and November, the club hosts the AghaRTA Jazz Festival.

Opening hours: daily 7pm-1am, live jazz from 9pm

2. Jazz and Blues Club Ungelt, Tyn 2, Stare Mesto
Jazz and Blues Club Ungelt is spread over two floors in an 11th-century vault but with 21st century comfort: fully air-conditioned. The brick walls are perfect for the acoustics. Live Jazz and Blues is on every evening and the musicians are Czech and international. The club has its own jazz pub on street level with a summer garden. The menu features a variety of Czech and Italian dishes, Czech and international beers, wines, spirits and cocktails including absinth Cocktails. Despite its prime location, just behind Old Town Square, prices are very reasonable.

Opening hours:
Pub/restaurant daily noon-midnight
Jazz and Blues Club daily 8pm-1am, concerts from 9pm

3. U Maleho Glena Jazz Club, Karmelitska 374, Mala Strana
U Maleho Glena is a small jazz club with high quality performer. Jazz and blues alternate throughout the week. If you are a jazz or blues (amateur) performer, pick up your instrument and join the jam session on Sundays. Drinks are served at the upstairs bar, a mixture of Czech and American design, which makes sense because the owner of the bar is American. Besides Czech beer, wines and spirits, this is one of the few places in Prague where you can enjoy draught Guinness. The jazz club is downstairs and can easily be defined as Prague’s smallest club. The musicians are a mixture of local Czechs, expats and foreign visitors. Musical styles include Modern Jazz, Be Bop, Rhythm & Blues, and Jazz & Blues piano music. Be early if you do not want to watch the performance standing at the back of the bar.

Opening hours:
Bar: Monday-Friday 10am-2am; Saturday-Sunday 10am-3am
Jazz Club: Daily from 7.30pm, live jazz from 9pm

Jazz Clubs away from the centre

1. Jazz Dock, Janackovo nabrezi 2, Smichov
Jazz Dock has a view, very unlike other Prague Jazz clubs. While most Jazz venues are housed under street level in the vaults of old buildings, Jazz Dock is on a pontoon in the Vltava River. Noy only its location also the programme stands out. The first concert starts early evening at 7pm and at 10pm another concert with a different band. Besides jazz there are rock bands and acoustic concerts. Singers theatre groups also give performances.

Opening hours: Monday to Thursday 3pm-midnight, Friday to Sunday 1pm-midnight-

2. The Loop Jazz Club, Weilova 2, Hostivar
Stylish jazz club in the Hostivar district is located in CNSO studios in disused waterworks. Part of the building now is home to The Loop Jazz Club. Direct linking up makes it possible to record concerts live. The club was an idea of members of the Czech National Symphony Orchestra. The Loop Jazz Club stages live performances of Czech and international artists.

Opening hours: on the day of the concert 8pm-midnight

Related article
Understanding the Jazz Tradition in Prague

Photos; wiki commons and Agartha