Bonvivant’s Coctail Tapas Cafe

This adorable vintage bar popped up on my radar, and I found myself here on a snowy day earlier than I had planned. There were already people drinking in comfortable booths while soul music played gently in the background, and I talked to the bartender, who preferred to make something custom for me rather than present me a list. I told him I like spicy, not too sweet, champagne splash. He made me something with guava, chili and Grand Marnier with rose petals.

You will be extremely well-​looked after here. I was blown away by the bartender’s knowledge of cocktails, his attention to detail and his mastery of craft. Some in my group were being quite snobby about going out for cocktails at all in Prague, given that we live in San Francisco, where cocktails are quite high quality. Imagine their surprise when we showed up to BonVivant to experience a stellar, if subtle, saffron-​gin-​tini, a Bohemian Manhattan with house made celery bitters and Becherovka, and a perfectly tart, frothy amaretto sour.
There are lots of bartenders out there, and then there are bartenders who own the craft. [See, e. g, my friend Murray, of Zigzag fame.] This rising Czech star is the real deal. Go to Bonvivant and enjoy the delicate stemware, personalized recommendations and precise garnishes. Czech it out.

Staff are friendly and know what they are doing. Was recommended the Ladybird cocktail, which was very interesting and delicious and then had a Gimlet; also very delicious. Interesting combinations, but you can also order classics. Coming from Germany, the prices were amazing (about 6 euros per cocktail) for the quality. The entire bar also has a really old-​school classy vibe. Will come back when I’m in Prague again!

Notre QG du séjour! Le bar à tapas en bas de la maison où comment découvrir des coktails géniaux et une équipe de pro pouvant vous parler de coktail pendant des heures ! Un beau bar rempli d’alcools en tout genre, des serveurs qui doivent être sportifs pour secouer tout ça avec autant d’énergie ! Et le coup de coeur pour le coktail «Endless Summer» (dont juste le nom est parfait) aux fruits exotiques qui vous fait voyager avec ce qu’on pourrait confondre avec un jus de fruits ! De bons moments passés dans ce lieux qui à aussi l’air de proposer de bon petits plats!

This place is amazing. I was visiting my friends that live in Prague and every time I go I stop in a store called Leeda that is on the same street. After shopping we decided to pop into Bonvivant’s. Not sure what to order I told him how I felt, «Tired, thirsty and in need of something refreshing.“He then not only made the most delicious drink I had ever had to fit how I felt but did it while spinning shakers and pouring it behind his back. he topped it off by lighting fresh lavender on fire then rubbing the glass with it. It was perfect and exactly what I needed. We were so impressed we decided to stay and try another. Each drink he kept astounding us because it was always better than the last and we couldn’t understand how it was possible. It was comparable to eating at a Michelin star restaurant and every round they bring out has new and interesting flavors. Had the drinks not had alcohol I would have asked him to bring me anything he felt like making and stayed until I had tasted everything. This guys was born to do what he does. If you stop in try the white chocolate raspberry chili pepper drink, I am not sure it’s official name but it will make your day.

After speaking to a bartender at the Clover Club in NY I made it my focus to seek out all the best cocktail bars here in Prague and report back to her with my findings. The Bonvivant’s was my first stop only because Hemingway’s wasn’t open yet and while walking past their storefront it screamed of cocktails. Don’t get me wrong, there are a ton of, if not majority of the bars here say «cocktails» on their signs, however after going in and out of them it becomes painfully clear which ones are not skilled in the craft. Bonvivant’s is a true cocktail bar and whether it says it or not on the front it doesn’t have to. From the beautifully selected font that corresponds with their salvaged Art Deco bar and furniture to their red ties showing the upmost professional appearance in hospitality. There is no way a person can walk past and not know that they can get a badass classic cocktail. But can you? You goddamn right you can! Not only can they make a proper Last Word, they had no qualm in knowing of it’s prohibition Motor City origins. These are true cocktail geeks and very skillful artisans of craft cocktails. After scouring this town there are about 6 great cocktail bars and I mean GREAT fn cocktail bars. All of them have their different styles or ways and specific «flare» yet each and every one of them are truly top notch. Service has always been my gripe about Eastern Europe or anywhere abroad for that matter, and in my many trips over here I have always come back more appreciative of America’s hospitality, however I think they can now give us a good run for our money.

Perfect location close to the old town square, but just far enough away to be out of the tourist insanity.
It’s a tiny, intimate place. The bar has 4 stools and some standing room, then there are chairs and tables for maybe 20 people.
The bar is handsome and the cocktail menu has a lot of creativity. The «English Breakfast» martini has a great story and tastes grand, particularly if you like citrus in your martini.
They have tapas as well, though I didn’t eat so I can’t comment.
Bonvivant’s ranks alongside the AnonymouS Bar and the Hemingway Bar as my fave bars in Praha. Enjoy!