I first learned about beer spas from Ania during dinner on our first day in Prague. Up until that moment, I had no idea such a thing even existed—so obviously, it wasn’t on my bucket list. Bathing in beer sounded utterly ridiculous—but also kind of intriguing. Beer spas actually originated in the Czech Republic, with the very first one opening in Prague in 1981. The next day, I couldn’t resist and called a few spots downtown. Most were fully booked, but one had an opening that afternoon, so I went for it.
Walking into The FIRST BEER SPA CHATEAUX PRAGUE, just a couple hundred meters from Hradčany Square, the first thing that caught my eye was a small oak beer keg in the middle of the lobby. I was immediately invited to sit and enjoy a tap beer—light, dark, or a mix. I went for the mix, savoring a unique flavor while nibbling on homemade beer bread with butter, as my room was being prepared.
Once escorted to my spa room, I realized I had the place to myself. The room featured a full bathroom with a shower, a straw bed for post-spa relaxation, and two original, handmade thousand-liter oak tubs. Next to the tubs were taps for unlimited beer throughout the hour-long experience. The hot water was already in the tub, and the attendant added a mixture of hops, barley, and possibly brewer’s yeast from a wooden bucket before leaving me to begin.
I changed into my trunks, cranked on the jets, poured a fresh mug from the tap, and sank in. That’s when it hit me—this would be far more fun with friends or family. The last fifteen minutes I spent lying on the straw bed, which felt a bit unusual but was surprisingly relaxing. After a few more beers, my time was up. I rinsed off, changed, paid roughly $80, and checked a truly unique experience off my bucket list—even though I didn’t know it existed to be on my list in the first place. Honestly, I’d love to do it again—but next time, I’m bringing company.
While I soaked in hops and barley, Sylwia explored the city nearby, and afterward, we met up at a Mexican restaurant to round out the day.
