B21 Cocktail Bar is one of the smallest cocktail bars in Prague 1. How do you turn this intimacy into an advantage? What can your guests experience that would be missed in a large bar?
The small space is our advantage. With only 16 seats inside, we offer an intimate and personal atmosphere where every guest meets directly with the creators of the bar concept, Karel or Charlie. We prepare signature cocktails almost in front of the guests' eyes and at the same time use local brands from our regions as the main ingredient in each signature cocktail. A visit thus becomes a personal experience, not an anonymous stop.
Minimalist mixology: what does it mean for you in the example of a specific drink?
Every ingredient in a cocktail has a clear purpose and none is superfluous. We work only with quality ingredients that we let shine, instead of complicated flavor combinations. Minimalism allows us to showcase the character of the Czech products used. For example, I can mention a cocktail from the Olomouc region, where we use Tosh gin, wine cordial, rhubarb, and a splash of absinthe – a minimalist and very popular cocktail.
APERITIVO runs daily from 4 PM to 9 PM – how do you define an “aperitivo” cocktail and how does it differ from the evening menu?
Aperitivo cocktails are lighter, fresher, and prepare the palate for the evening. The evening menu has a fuller, more robust profile. Aperitivo is about a pleasant afternoon transitioning into the evening with a small snack served with the cocktail in good company. For the Aperitivo offer, we have prepared different local brands than those in our permanent signature cocktail menu.
You serve small snacks for free with drinks. What do you prefer to pair seasonal aperitifs with and why?
We prefer to use Czech products from local producers as the main ingredient, which enhance the flavor of the drink and also connect to our regional concept. We most like to pair seasonal aperitifs in the afternoon menu with small snacks à la tapas, because when drinking, there is usually a desire to nibble on something as well.
You work with local alcohol and Czech distribution. Which domestic brands would you highlight?
We collaborate with Czech distilleries and small producers who represent and preserve the authentic character of the region – for example, the small Prague distillery Garage 22. They create excellent and also unusual products that collect awards at competitions outside our country, allowing us to mix unique cocktails. Guests even buy their bottles from us and take them as souvenirs.
When a guest says: “Give me something special,” how do you ask to hit their taste?
We find out their preferences – whether they prefer sweet, sour, or bitter, light or more pronounced flavors, or what they usually like to drink... Based on that, we recommend our signature cocktail that best matches their taste.
The terrace in the courtyard is just a few steps from the Old Town Square. How do you maintain the atmosphere of a “local” bar in a tourist center? And when is the ideal time to come if a guest is looking for a quieter environment?
We maintain the atmosphere with a personal approach, music, and our cozy environment – the guest is a part of our community and as I mentioned, not an anonymous customer. A quieter environment can be found right after opening or on weekday evenings. The garden is open until 10 PM, otherwise inside the bar always until midnight.
How often do you change aperitivo cocktails and what was your last “discovery” that surprised you?
We change the aperitivo offer several times a year based on the availability of ingredients. We focus on products that reflect the current season. The last discovery we included among the aperitivo cocktails is the apple concentrated liqueur Super Pomeau from the brand Landcraft. It ages in a barrel for a year and has a pleasantly apple aromatic profile. We have built a fresh cocktail around it.
What does “B21” mean and how did your taste and visual "face" of the bar come about?
B21 refers to our address and descriptive number. The flavors of the bar stem from our unique concept focused on the Czech Republic and the individual regions of our country. We have 14 regions and on the menu, there are 14 signature cocktails. From each region, we selected an ingredient that is produced in its territory and represents a specific region on our menu. From these ingredients, we subsequently created signature cocktails. We will take you on a journey through the Czech Republic like you have never experienced before.
One bartender tip for home mixing and one rule of bar etiquette that everyone should know.
The tip is simple – when using ice in a glass, always fill the glass with ice to the brim. With a smaller amount of ice, it melts faster and affects the taste of the drink. And the rule? Definitely take your time – a quality cocktail is an experience, not just a drink.
- Bílková 854/21, Prague 1
- info@allurehotelprague.com
- +420 725 160 116
- www.b21cocktailbar.com
