Changing of the guard

The couple behind The Royal Oak, Vinohrady's very own English pub, are packing up and moving back to England. But the pub will remain in operation with a new owner, Duncan Werry, a UK expat who has lived in Prague for several years.

Regulars will no doubt be happy The Royal Oak is staying in operation. However, a big part of the draw has been Gill and John Williamson, who attracted a steady and appreciative crowd. Both had previous lives, Gill as a nurse and John as a police officer. But after Gill found a short-term job in Prague, the couple jumped on the chance to run their own pub in a city they quickly fell in love with.

"We opened the bar together because we were looking for something to do that meant we could continue to live in Prague after Gill's job came to an end," John says. "Neither of us had poured a beer before the Oak. I think we provided hours of amusement for the customers as we struggled with changing barrels, overflowing urinals, customers stuck in toilets and a queue at the bar."

Despite the good times they've had with The Oak, the couple has new grandchildren back home and wants to spend time with them.

Over the past two years, they've created a full rotation of open-mic nights, live music acts, quiz nights, a chess club and "stitch and bitch." The bar attracted a full mix of Czechs and tourists, along with a steady base of expats.

"We seemed to provide a haven for some of the younger English speakers who would drop in early afternoon or late night for a quiet beer and a chat," Gill says.

Asked what she'll miss, Gill mentions the signature Czech liquor.

"Becherovka we have learned to love through repeated doses," she says. "We may have to introduce the principle of 'shots' into family life when we get back home."

Attracted by the element of community the bar has fostered over the past couple years, Werry plans to continue what the Williamsons started at The Royal Oak.

"Duncan has said that he feels the 'community links' are one of the things that appeal to him most about The Oak," John says. "He hopes to keep much of the bar as it is, but also over time to develop the kitchen and provide more food."

Cool brews

Zlý časy, the Nusle pub that pours more than 300 beers from all over the world, has opened a beer shop next door. Open from noon to 8 p.m., it offers the imported beers for takeaway at slightly cheaper prices. The bar offers more than 20 different beers on tap in rotation, with some nice surprises. Along with Czech microbrews, you can find American favorites like Sierra Nevada Pale Ale. Open Mon.-Fri. 11 a.m.-11:30 p.m. and Sat.-Sun. 5-11 p.m. Food options include beef tartare, beer sausage, chicken schnitzel and a wide range of daily specials. (Čestmírova 5, Prague 4-Nusle. Tel. 723 339 995)

Grill with a view

The Presidential Hotel will be hosting two "Summer Chef's Shows" Aug. 11 and 25, hosted by chef Milan Pešek on the hotel terrace. The menus include romaine salad with sour cream, yogurt, garlic and pepper piperade with bacon, roasted salmon fillet with rosemary, grilled Argentine tenderloin with fresh herbs and lamb chops in lemon thyme with honey and pine nuts. For more information, call 234 614 140.

Claire Compton can be reached at
ccompton@praguepost.com