Dublin or Prague

[canuck]

My wife and I are going to Portugal in April for a few weeks. While we are in Portugal, we plan on flying to Paris for a few days as my wife has always wanted to go to Paris. I'd like to fly from Paris and spend a couple of days in a good beer city before flying back to Portugal. I've narrowed it down to Dublin and Prague. For those that have been to ether (or both) of those cities, what would be your preference, and why? I was originally leaning towards Dublin, but still can't make up my mind.

[GuingesRock]

The pub atmosphere and the Guinness in Dublin are both legendry. Not been to Prague. Also there wouldn't be a language barrier. Irish music in the pubs would be great too.

[CorneliusAlphonse]

Hmmm might spend a day in Prague next week but I've never been to Dublin do I still won't be able to compare

Will you still be spending time on Paris? Might be able to make some reco's (eg go to a franprix and spend 5€ to buy a bottle of read wine some chevre and a baguette - it is not a beer city)

[canuck]

The pub atmosphere and the Guinness in Dublin are both legendry. Not been to Prague. Also there wouldn't be a language barrier. Irish music in the pubs would be great too.

That's pretty much the reason why I've been leaning towards Dublin. But Prague looks extremely beautiful and seems to have much more to do and see......along with lots of great beers. I dunno, I just can't decide.

[canuck]

Hmmm might spend a day in Prague next week but I've never been to Dublin do I still won't be able to compare

Will you still be spending time on Paris? Might be able to make some reco's (eg go to a franprix and spend 5€ to buy a bottle of read wine some chevre and a baguette - it is not a beer city)

Cool, if you happen to spend any time in Prague while you're over there Liam, definitely post up your thoughts on it.

I'll be spending three nights in Paris so any recommendations there would be greatly appreciated.

[akr71]

... But Prague looks extremely beautiful and seems to have much more to do and see......along with lots of great beers. I dunno, I just can't decide.

Prague does have a reputation for being one of the most beautiful cities in the world. A buddy spent a couple weeks there and said beer was $0.10/glass at the pubs. Granted that was in the 90's...

[gyorke]

I was in Prague for the first time two weeks ago. It was a work trip so I only saw the city in the dark but it was an amazing city. There is a lot of history in the city and lots of things to see. They had a Christmas fair going on with outdoor vendors, roast pork cooking on open fires and hot wine and mead for sale. Bought a cup of nice hot mead for $2 CDN to sip at while I wandered around the old city. The old city has a lot of tourist shops, practically every shop actually but for me it was not overwhelming and blended into the background. I ate only at brew pubs and the beer was great and diverse. The most expensive prices were at a touristy place (but still lots of Czechs eating there ) U Fleku, http://www.brewnosers.org/forums/viewtopic.php?t=4457 beer was about $2.50 CDN a pint. 3 beers, a tasty shot of mystery liqueur and a plate of food too much for a healthy eater was about $28 CDN. I was told Beer can be bought in the grocery store for as little as $0.20 CDN a can. I did tire of the Czech food by the end of my trip but there are a lot of international options if you need a break. Not speaking any Czech was not a problem for me. Everyone seemed very nice and welcoming. Cash is king, hotel accepted credit cards but everywhere else seemed to deal in cash. It wasn't a problem though, lots of bank machines downtown. They do smoke in restaurants there but it seemed to be isolated to the bar area. Taxi's notoriously over charge but although I got a long tour of the city in from the airport the price still seemed reasonable. The guide books recommend negotiating a price up front and using particular companies. Once in the city I walked and took the Metro everywhere.
Prague has the romance of a very old European city while having a great beer culture, seems like a win for everyone. It is now a place I hope to return to.

[canuck]

Andy/Gordon, thanks for your posts. Gordon, have you been to Dublin as well by any chance?

[gyorke]

No I haven't. This was my first trip to Europe.

[John G]

To me both of these cities are one dimensional beer towns (Pilsener in Prague and Stout in Dublin). If you are seeking a "beer city" with respect to selection and beer culture, Brussels would be my first choice - it's close to Paris too. However, any city is probably better for beer than Paris (although Istanbul was pretty poor for beer choices too). Just my 2¢

Prague and Dublin are great places to visit but not on my top city list as beer stops.

[canuck]

In general, Belgian beers aren't my favourite, which is why it's not one of my choices. I definitely want to visit Brussels, but it's not my top choice for beer places.

[jeffsmith]

What about Munich or Bavaria in general?

[mr x]

In general, Belgian beers aren't my favourite, which is why it's not one of my choices. I definitely want to visit Brussels, but it's not my top choice for beer places.

This.

[canuck]

What about Munich or Bavaria in general?

I've been to Germany twice before, so was wanting to try a city that I've never been to before. By far, Munich has been my favourite beer city that I've been to.

[Houblon34]

I'm also flying to Dublin in July. If you end up going there instead of Prague, let me know if you find any cool spots I should know about (other than Guinness and Jameson, obviously... ). We'll be staying right in the Temple Bar area.

Been to Paris twice. Although it's not a beer city, it is most likely one of the most beautiful cities in the world.

[canuck]

I'm also flying to Dublin in July. If you end up going there instead of Prague, let me know if you find any cool spots I should know about (other than Guinness and Jameson, obviously... ). We'll be staying right in the Temple Bar area.

Been to Paris twice. Although it's not a beer city, it is most likely one of the most beautiful cities in the world.

For sure, I'll definitely post up some spots that I find if I decide to do Dublin.

I'm not expecting much beer wise in Paris, but am still really stoked about going there. We've been to the south coast of France but never Paris, and it's always been my wife's dream city to visit.

[chalmers]

I've been to both cities (Prague twice), loved them both. Preferred Prague, one of the highlights was when we went to Kutna Hora ( http://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kutn%C3%A1_Hora" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; ) to see the ossuary ( http://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sedlec_Ossuary" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;) and other church.

I'd go back to Brussels before the others in a flash, though. Not liking Belgian beer is like not liking Canadian or American beer: so many styles of beer are available, it's not just Abbey style or Lambics. But it's your vacation, not mine!

[Keith]

We've been to the south coast of France but never Paris, and it's always been my wife's dream city to visit.

Isn't Paris being a dream city to visit a requirement of having a vagina?

If I had my pick, I'd have to go with Dublin. It's on my bucket list, however with all the hype Prague has received, it is on there as well

I'm sure whichever you pick you will be happy. Possibly flip a coin?

[canuck]

So at this point, I am really leaning towards Prague. I want to have the airfares booked in the next few days so I've got to make a final decision soon.

[CorneliusAlphonse]

Not gonna be there before the 2nd or so, don't hold out on me!

[CorneliusAlphonse]

Unfortunately didn't get to spend as long there as I wanted to... Took the train after NYE celebrations At 430 am, got a couple hours sleep, got into Prague totally not wanting to drink beer. And all the hostels were booked up unless we wanted to spend 40€ each to sleep in a room with 16 others.

Heres the advice I can give:
1. Currency isn't euro, but lots of money changers in the touristy areas, just choose wisely so you dont get hosed
2. Language is more of a barrier - even though my French and German are poor, theyre good enough to understand most things in France/Belgium/Germany. Not so with czech, very little similarity. Again, shouldnt be an issue.
3. I saw this poster and thought I should post it... Why go to Dublin when you can get Dublin in Prague?

IMG_20140101_130146.jpg

[James]

I sort of stumbled upon this thread...a bit late I guess, but where did you end up booking to go to?

I spent some time in Ireland a few years back and have been longing to go back (I almost moved there!) A word about the weather though, Dublin would be extremely wet and cold around April but if you are going for the pubs and the drink, you can cozy up to a good peat fire in the pub with your pint. Prague might have better weather in April and may have a better beer selection (overall), I expected to find a better beer selection than I did when I was in Ireland (I assumed this due to it's proximity to Europe) but their main staples were generally what was offered with only a few brew pubs scattered here or there although it has been a few years and time may have changed that.

Generally I found Dublin to be pretty interresting - but it is just another BIG city much like Toronto or Montreal. The pubs were always full of friendly folks who would single me out as a 'come from away' and with "...isn't that an odd accent you have there..." would settle in for a good bit of craic. The best times the wife and I had there were spent in the pubs in farming towns on the outskirts of Dublin and the rest of Ireland (one pub in Connemarra was actually a general store that sold everything from pitch forks to candy bars - with a counter in the back that was the local pub). This is where I learned to properly drink Guinness; with a side car of whiskey. If it is Dublin you go to try the Connemarra Single Malts if you like whiskey, you can't appreciate a good peaty single malt unless you're sitting next to a peat fire drinking a Guinness with it...or some sugary tea!