JJ Murphy’s

Its a bit hard to review this bar. On my first visit I had 16 friends all Irish living in Ireland in town for the weekend who fancied a late night drink after dinner and as the hotel we were staying at is basically around the corner from here we ended up in JJ Murphys. I’m not one to frequent Irish bars while on holiday but when you have a group this size finding seating together isn’t easy. so I took them here in November and this became the end of night bar for us for 5 nights. On my third trip to Prauge about 6 weeks later I again needed a late night spot that was a bar not the Czech restaurant bit where they are disappointed your not ordering food at midnight etc., if you know what I mean???
I didn’t like the place at all in November even though I was here 5 nights in a row and even though there were 16 of us who drank a lot and the house was happy for the trade, I just didn’t like the vibe.
On my most recent trip there was a new bartender. Brian from Scotland. Anyone who has ever worked in the hospitality industry will know a good barman can set the tone of a pub. Friendly and good at his job it was a good night. It wasn’t packed by any means actually it never was when I was there but between Brian, Gabby and Nicole they were all great. I’ve worked this industry for over 28 years so I don’t say that lightly. Credit where its due. Hopefully they will stay as the last time I was there the bartender was … I cant even remember him really which says it all.
The only other review in English on here is the worst I’ve ever read which prompted me to write this. I always think that an establishment should define itself as either a bar that serves food or a restaurant that serves drinks. This is in my opinion a pub that serves food. I’m not sure Id ever be going to an Irish bar for the culinary experience and really if I was crazy hungover as she said she was then a greasy burger and chips with a decent pint might have sorted me out not followed by apple pie and ice cream and more beer??? and my last bit on the last review «good looking guys» was she slagging the ones she found off??? did she coming looking for Irish men and they didn’t meet her standards??? or perhaps she didn’t find any and was disappointed? In any event, its Prague. the city is full of stunning locals and every nationality on the planet so I hope she found her eye candy, and Ill defend my country men here, what they might lack in looks or height they mostly make up in personality, charm and wit.
Here is my little curiosity Ill say rather than ask if the manager is perhaps colour blind or too cheap to change the menu??? The black & tan in JJ Murphy’s uses the wrong recipe. They serve a half & half under the name of a black and tan. A black and tan is an ale on the bottom with Guinness on top which the colour scheme in itself should be a giveaway. Not so it seems here, I did ask the bartender about it and he said that’s the way the «Irish» manager said its made. The Black and Tans (Irish: Dúchrónaigh) were a force of Temporary Constables recruited to assist the Royal Irish Constabulary (RIC) during the Irish War of Independence. The Black and Tans became infamous for their attacks on civilians and civilian property. A half and half on the other hand is a larger with Guinness on top or a Black Velvet which is … oh this is exhausting, Ill shut up now.
The pub is grand, the staff are nice, the toilets are clean. Its over priced for Prague but all Irish pubs are over priced, it makes you feel like your in Ireland because nothing is cheap here and by here I mean Ireland because yes, I’m back home for now. Still missing Prague though and would I go back to JJ Murphy’s? yes of course I would as long as the staff are still as good as the ones they have now.
Would I advise students on a budget to go there ??? No, Id advise them to drink around the corner for ¹⁄₃ of the price.
Id like to add that bartenders only make about 4 euro an hour in Prague and the waitstaff 2 or less so it is expected that you tip on average 15% or more. Ive read some reviews saying they never tip. Its expected and its how they make their salary.

I had to add this restaurant just so I can tell you to NEVER go to it!
When my friend, a Canadian who’s lived in Prague for quite a while, suggested we meet here on a hungover Sunday morning — I thought, wow Malostranske Namesti, isn’t that really touristy? But she said it wasn’t anything special but they had good hangover food and good looking guys. So what the hell, why not.
Now also keep in mind that my standards for food when I’m hungover are very, very low. We’re talking warm coke and dry toast low. So if you give me something warm, greasy, and bready, I’m pretty much in heaven.
SO I ordered the burger.
WORST.
BURGER.
EVER.
I can barely explain the consistency of the meat, which seemed to be some kind of mixed meat patty that had been frozen in the wake of WWII. Now I said my standards were low, but for 300czk, I don’t want to play the «is this meat or isn’t this meat» game. (see pics)
For some reason, I just couldn’t let it go at that. I mean it’s Sunday. I’m with my friend. I’m hung over. I’ve got the whole day ahead of me. And I’ve just realized that our definition of «good looking guys» are like the difference between America and Canada — looks the similar from the outside, but put them together and they are so so different. So I ordered apple pie. I mean APPLE PIE.
Question: How can you mess up an apple pie?
Answer: serve something made about a week ago and definitely not on the premises. charge a fortune and throw some vanilla ice cream on it because then the customer might not notice how bad it is until halfway through when the ice cream is gone.
I looked at the website so I could refer directly to the price of my pain, but alas, no prices. There’s a reason for that I guess. So in conclusion, if you hate someone, send them to JJ Murphy’s.