Unmasking the Absinthe Trap for Tourists

🌟 Unlock Prague’s Hidden Gems! Join our Patreon community for 30+ exclusive maps with local tips on cheap eats, craft beer, and more: Patreon.com/HonestGuide 🗺️👍
Honest Guide 📸 / realhonestguide
Janek 🎤 / janekrubes
Honza 🎥 / honzamikulka
Facebook 👥 / honestpragueguide
The music used in this video 🎵 bit.ly/HonestMusic
Need to boost your videos? 🎬 bit.ly/HonestFilmmakersAssets
0:00 Locals don't drink absinthe
0:51 What makes a good absinthe
2:42 How to drink absinthe properly
5:42 Burning absinthe?
8:26 Where to drink a good absinthe?
10:12 Czech Word
Thank you for your support!
Janek Rubeš & Honza Mikulka, Prague based journalists
#HonestGuide

[@skjelm6363]

What an honest barkeeper!

[@garrysekelli6776]

Seems like a solid chap.

[@killingtime8612]

In line with this channel 😊

[@lukasolsz]

Honest? He said you would not have hangover. You will have a very loud hangover

[@skjelm6363]

@@lukasolsz well its not a hangover - you are sick af with a migraine from hell - but it is not a hangover

[@internationalparam]

@@skjelm6363 what a subjective statement

[@burkeiowa]

This looks much better for the Absinthe-minded tourists, compared to what the absent-minded tourists get in the touristy areas.

[@freakishuproar1168]

Heh, "absinthe-minded"... :3

[@JandyCZ]

I see what you did there. Good one, sir. :D

[@michaelantosch9888]

Good to see that you can actually get the REAL stuff in Prague (but avoid the fire at all costs!)

[@bakerzermatt]

I don't understand why you would want to drink absinthe in Prague. It's a Swiss drink (from the Swiss-French border region), why would anyone go to Prague for that? Go to Prague for beer (and other Czech drinks I'm not familiar with).

The region were Absinth comes from is "Val de Travers" to be exact. Very nice place not only to drink but also to hike like in "Ceux du Van"

[@asellandrofacchio7263]

Why not? It's just a f. King liquor! I drank scottish whiskey in Tokyo and many places in Prague serve Italian bombardino. What's the problem there?? Stop gatekeeping.

[@britt-sen]

If you enjoy it, have it. Absintherie has a decent selection.

[@richbulena8847]

It became a thing back in the 90s because the Czech Republic was one of the few places where it was legal at the time.

[@jean-emmanuelrotzetter6030]

Agree with the last sentence. But the history of absinthe is older than its success story that started late 18th century in a Jura region that now is part of Switzerland. Extracts from the absinthe plant were used already in ancient Egypt 3'500 years ago, then by the Greek, Romans with alcohol. After the beginnings late 18th century in Neuchâtel mountains region, main production moved still in in Jura mountains region in France (Pontarlier mainly), became popular in France and french speaking part of Switzerland. So successful that excessive usage lead 1908 to a total interdiction in Switzerland, 1915 in France. A substitute based mainly on anis then became a popular (Pernod, Pastis) Some 20 years ago, production of absinthe was allowed again with regional protected trade marks in Switzerland and France. But Czech beer is IMHO to be preferred to absinthe - not only in Prag, not only in Czech Republic but wherever available.

[@rothn2]

I love absynthe and have it at my local French place in a drip almost every weekend. I always get a reaction like "really?" from the waiter. But I very much enjoy it. And yes my favorite is clear but I thought it was supposed to e green. It happens to be from Switzerland. My life makes sense now!

[@sakeebkamal3472]

This channel doing a great job for Czech tourism! Honest Guide rocks!

[@lucky666strike]

As someone from the swiss region where absinthe originated from (Switzerland Jura, Muriaux) I really liked your video, thank you and greetings 🎉

[@dkdebest]

absinthe was orginated from pakistan. not swiss, swiss have only smelly fish in a can

[@Derminatorable]

Wow, I was at this "Absintherie" probably 15 years ago?! It was great then but it has changed the decor for good. Now it looks very pretty.

[@Michael-Rooney007]

Love the content and hohnesty in this!! Thank you!

[@Tyler2004durden]

I’ve been to Absintherie some years ago and had a really wonderful experience there. Besides trying real absinthe and enjoying the cozy atmosphere of the bar, spontaneously an opera singer, a bass player and pianist started playing and singing Czech songs. I warmly recommend the bar for anyone who is curious about absinthe. Oh, also… What made people hallucinate from drinking Absinthe in the past was because of the herb Wormswood, which is not found in today’s bottles, I believe, at least not in the same amount.

Wormwood is a basic herb for absinthe. Without a wormwood you get Anis drink. The latin name of wormwood is Artemisia Absinthium - from where the Abnsinthe drink got the name. So it MUST be inside :) And the amount is also roughly the same as in the past. The mistery about halucinating is a topic for another long discussion.

[@10jpmorgan]

@ That's what I've read about absinthe, too. Wormwood is actually poisonous, isn't it?

[@Tyler2004durden]

@ “There is a chemical found in wormwood-absinthe's primary flavoring-called thujone that's known to be a convulsant at extremely high doses.”

[@radekb.2953]

Haucinations had come from amount of Wormswood with combination of alcohol(80-90%+ I think?). It made - even after small portion consumed - huge halucinations and (self)destructive behaviour, quite often ended with death. Now by legal alcohol shouldn't exceed 70% or something like that.

[@JoeyRhubarb]

@@radekb.2953 No one hallucinated. It was a myth

[@Lwize]

Trdelnik, weed and absinthe - the Czech triple Koruna!

[@vaclav_fejt]

Aye, gone are the times when the three crowns were Bohemian, Hungarian, and Polish.

[@petershampshire]

All lived in harmony untill the Euronet cash machine nation invasion.

[@GeoRick]

Excellent video. Thanks, will check it out when in Prague.

[@beathrise629]

Kostka cukru is spelled exactly the same as in Polish ;) ♥ Luv your videos Janek!!!

[@acexprt]

One of the best videos on absinthe. Very accurate information.

[@sebastiank.908]

Thanks to you, your team and the barkeeper for the honest advices! :)

[@wifix3822]

I like how he asked how much , he didn't assume he would get it for free, getting scammed too many times protection mentality 👏👍

[@southernbreeze3278]

be surprised if was any expectation of him paying - the advertising here more than covered cost. the ask was for us, the viewers, I believe

[@0L1]

@@southernbreeze3278 Exactly

[@randomscenes5212]

Love this city and your videos 🤩

[@sara-vh7by]

fakt super video hoši . Moc se vám to povedlo:):)

[@HearBeyondMusic]

Nice Bar =D I‘ve actually been there last year, while looking for good absinthe. Was definitely worth it and I‘m going back there next week, when I‘m back in Prague! :D

[@kulman4295]

Prague streets: full of Absinthe that locals don't drink, full of Thai massages that are performed without oil and their clothes on that no local or Thai native would normally want, full of Trdelník 's that are actually rather Slovakian and locals also do not really eat or even know. I have been to Prague twice and to me it always feels like it is so artifically geared towards presenting something that tourists would consider as a "thing" to try here. I live in Vienna and we dont have this here and tourists are also more spread out across the city - in Prague they are all from the castle over the bridge to the old town, like a theme park. And here I also can't think of anything so massively "sold" that is also something that at the same locals would not consume, do or participate in. Still, Prague is a very nice city, it just has this super touristic vibe in the mentioned area

[@pedrostormrage]

8:22 "I absolutely love the sticker on your door" No wonder why you two are friends 😂

[@420POGCHAMP]

i dont get it

[@pedrostormrage]

@@420POGCHAMP The sticker meant "no trdelník", and it's a running joke in the channel that Janek's not a trdelník fan (or at the very least he doesn't like the fact it's advertised as a Czech thing, because it isn't - it's Hungarian).

[@Shambhusah1238]

Love to see u again 😊

[@Zombot012]

I'm a Bulgarian visiting my fav city in the world Prague three times a year and I have never tried absinthe in Czechia and I don't get how it got so popular with tourists there. I'll stick with the pivo, jeste dve piva, prosim! Also, I'd really like to find a nice bar beside Hemingway bar where they serve cocktails and it's a chill atmosphere so I can bring a girl there ^^

[@linogalveias]

black angel's is great and they know the drinks and cocktails

[@thisismagacountry1318]

Applebee's 😂

[@Zombot012]

@@linogalveias Thanks, will check it out!

[@michaelbrownlee9497]

It became popular because it was either in a Sherlock Holmes or Edgar Allen Poe novel and was banned back in the day because people hallucinated

[@MrGSilver]

By accident I actually went to this place and had the beetle Absinthe one. It was a great experience since the bartender explained everything in detail.

[@MrMax9200]

Świetny material! Dzięki temu kanałowi myślę nad wycieczką do Czech :)

[@user-wj1jl9wm4c]

Absinthe makes the heart grow fonder, for a better drink!

[@pingamalinga]

Thanks for the lesson.

[@GilesWendes]

Visited that place a few years ago, very pricey but brilliant cocktails. Loved it.

[@flatcube3706]

At 1:10. The guy didnt want to advertise other shops lol

[@user-rr3gb9yn2p]

Hi! thanks for the video, and additional thanks for the English content. Isn't here an address for the bar in description?

[@2MSecurity]

this was great 😄💪🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻

[@SorenBorgquist]

Nice video, as always. I'm going to Prague in 2 weeks. I won't be having any absinthe ... but I may have another look at the burger-video 😉😁

[@AmazingPhilippines1]

Cool! I bought a bottle of Absinthe here in the Philippines a few months ago and this is the 1st real info I found on how to drink it. Green "pretty" bottle attracted me to it.

[@KungFu_Batman]

I remember drinking absinthe in Brussels at this awesome bar called Floris Bar and it was the greatest drunk feeling! The experience itself was fun.

[@user-wi6ll6yn1f]

❤ Prague! Love from Greece!

[@DaweSlayer]

Efcharisto

[@user-hm9is5ke9i]

What fantastic place. I'll have to check it out next time I'm in Prague.

[@morriskeller]

Thank you forr the fun video:)

[@yateslawrence]

I love this place. The Czech and French absinthes are quite different - I like both. At the moment I'm preferring Czech macerated absinth, next week, who knows. I highly recommend this place! Excellent staff, wonderful atmosphere (but take plenty cash).

[@cysoun]

I'm from Neuchâtel, Switzerland where the modern absinthe is primarly made. I've been to the Absintherie in November 2023 and this place is legit! Plus, Jirka is a great and passioned guy. Their only downside is the price of a glass of absinthe since it 3 times more expensive than in most of our bars here in Switzerland. In the other hand, the Absintherie has a lot of interesting stuff and fantastic cocktails based on absinthe which are worth the price! Cheers!

[@donegaldan102]

Actually tired this bar in January. Really cool spot.

[@westernrider100]

Interesting video and thanks for posting. For the couple of times that I have had Absinthe, they have made me determined to stay with Malort, which is another wormwood flavored beverage.

[@cokentutes]

"You can drinking for whole day" Honest words, to live an honest life.

[@heidelbergaren5054]

On my way !

[@mobimaks]

I'm not a drinker, but after watching this video, I'm drooling 🤤 Also, love Hašlerky.

[@Drunktopus]

Another great video Guides. Some places to check out next time I am in town. Cheers!

[@the-o5202]

🤭 Drunk Janek for content. Awesome!

[@Mycr0bi]

Oh yeah finally. Drinking it like this and having a nice convo is way better. Plus the Bohemian way is hot. :D We also only have a few absinth bars in Hungary where those darker ones are present. Good places.

[@tadskyobakov4098]

I've been to this place! Had a great time here! Shout out to Milan, the former bartender!

[@kuukeli]

thank you

[@MrVickk]

My wife and I will be in Prague around April 23rd. Grab a drink with us.

[@John_Candy]

I made my own absinthe and drank most of the bottle in a sitting and did get trails and visual snow

[@daviddavid2890]

One of the hostels I stayed in when I first visited Prague nearly 20 years ago didn't allow absinthe because people were always making a mess with burning sugar, and spilling it everywhere

[@satanaz]

what about mentioning "absintherie jilská" on the description of the video? I had to go back and re-watch the begining to note down their name after not finding any mentions on the description of the video... Thanks for making the video thought! looks like a nice place to visit next time I'm in Prage!

[@lrrrofomikronparmaside8904]

Honestly better if self made, highly recommend it!

[@eviljigglypuff2254]

I thought it had an association w wormwood back in the day

[@Happy_Spatula]

I don't drink & am not able to travel however your videos are such easy viewing 👌

[@timbyrne914]

I’ve never thought of trying out in Prague, but it might be worth trying a decent Czech brand to see want it’s like.

[@BrigitteNolte-ln1ob]

I will visit this bar when i am in prague

[@donball9777]

been there it was a good fun bar with great vibe and music.

[@amandamoon9062]

Very interesting

[@flipster7746]

I went to prague few month ago. I passed in the Absinth in Mini markets because of scam . But this Barkeeper IS an honest man. Maybe I will Join His place

[@rogersimmons8788]

I thought it made the heart grow fonder!

[@Ozzymandius1]

It's available in the states too.

[@LaylaTow]

10:15 that „kostka cukru” sounded so polish. I know our languages are similar but that accent surprised me a lil bit :)

[@Steelers4life68]

Wormwood, had it in the states, minus wormwood.

[@valmarsiglia]

Yeah, only time I was in Prague was in 1993 and I don't remember any absinthe shops or bars.

[@ra-ge]

When you visit the Czech republic, it's the beers 🍺you must try. Definitely one of the best in the world and my personal favourite.🍻

[@MushrooMilkshake]

"Would you like absinthe? Well, do you like licorice? Oh course not no one does. You would not like absinthe."

[@SprayNpreyT]

beautiful bar

[@walroz87]

Some of my best benders have been w absinthe - never hallucinated not from the absinthe at least but its a great way to get greatly drunk if you like/love the anis/liquorice taste!

[@jesseebner7271]

Good craft beer on Prague is called Kolcavka Pivovar

[@radmarchand4751]

I’ve been here before. My wife and I came here on a whim one night. EXCELLENT stop.

[@TheWeardale1]

absinthe makes the heart grow fonder

[@reynard2ki]

There is a really nice Absinthe bar in Antibes, France that was frequented by Pablo Picasso. The decor is vintage and you feel transported back in time.

[@johncarr2333]

Absinthe rocks... Great place at Breckenridge.

[@karere1s]

I think I've been to this bar before! Great place!

[@jacobseal]

I love Absinthe. So good!! I will look up this place next time we visit Prague.

[@maxanderson8259]

Real absinthe is a delicious and expensive anise liquor. My local distillery St George Spirits makes an awesome absinthe based on the 1800s Pernod recipe.

[@Z_E_B_O]

5:45 It's more of a party trick. When I was in Vienna they had a really nice absinthe bar (one shot was about 8€ I believe) and it was so cool, they had so many different absinthes. The strongest I tried had 89.9%, but of course it gets diluted with water. I can only recommend Marilyn Mansons absinthe, which actually does whiten very nicely and has a nice taste (for absinthe lol) and it has 66.6%. The hallucinations I believe came from copper poisoning, which during the prohibition period was just hard to avoid when it was made in private. Also the more thujon the absinthe has the more you can feel that other feeling that doesn't come from the alcohol (which in the video was described as a powerful feeling, but can also be described as feeling floaty or light), which is in the wormwood and there are specific limitations on how much you are allowed to put into your absinthe.

[@jbmcdoogle]

I had absinthe in Olomouc back in 1994 and it was AMAZING! It was like taking a hit of LSD. My head floated off of my shoulders.

[@danielnapoli649]

It has been said that absinthe makes the heart grow fonder 😂

[@edwardkeselman5118]

I was there 2 months ago, it's really cool place. I tried the bohemian absinthe but I didn't like it as well. Still thought the place is really recommended if you never tried absinthe.

[@Martin-hb4il]

Makes me love being a Czech guy.

[@seattlegrrlie]

I once knew a guy who's family would send him good Absinthe from the home country (it's illegal in America). I love anise and it was delicious.

[@rysiekleykam]

As a Polish speaker I'm not surprised "kostka cukru" is spelled the same in Czech but I'm shocked you pronouce it EXACTLY like in Polish which is almost never the case.

[@themightyimp08]

@5:23 it's really good. By this point, it's only 20% alcohol, half the strength of a whisky. I really think he could have got a better idea of he didn't just moisten his lip with it a couple of times.

[@ianokay]

"they will explain us" means they will explain YOU, the person, so it's "explain (more) to us".

[@hoseja]

Jarred me too.

[@erbi3853]

Classic case of being confused by the Czech word order. In Czech, we don't use the preposition and sometimes it causes mishaps like this haha. Happens to the best of us 😅

[@susanyoung6635]

It's probably the time of year. It's kinda like me only being able to travel off season for free on American airlines and never around holidays

[@irfanhekimoglu2294]

So it’s like Rakı where you mix anise based alcohol with water and end up with a white drink in the end. Nice!

[@erzsebetkovacs2527]

It's because of the aniseed in both drinks (as well as French pastis). Raki with ice cold water is great.

[@matejmotuz108]

Some recomendation for a good bohemian absinthe (bohemian is the stronger , more potent style , while french is milder , la fée parisienne and pernod absinth are good examples ) ?

[@MichaelAndersen_DK]

Finally! Now what about showing us where to drink ales? I.e. beer that is NOT pilsner/lager.

[@linogalveias]

Vinohradský Pivovar, Strahov Monastery Pivovar, Dva Kohoutí....

[@doccolour]

The very first thing I did when I first visited Prague 20 years ago was have a shot of Absinthe in front of me. I've been drinking it ever since, though I no longer use fire or drink the touristy green stuff... except for the occasional B-52 shot.

[@streamtracker]

I had both styles at this bar. Both tasted good to me :).

[@koirasdilluminatioy3835]

visited this bar back in 2017 or 2018ish and it was totally worth it!

[@accademiaoscura7870]

Absinthe originates from Switzerland. It’s well known that Czech absinthe is cheap garbage that’s not made correctly. Real absinthe is never set on fire, and is served mixed with chilled water so that it changes color to a milky white/ light green. It is also an aperitif, that’s sipped.

[@kenofken9458]

All of the Czech Absinthe I've ever had was just slightly diluted grain alcohol with artificial blue or green dye, a strong fennel flavor and marketing spin which suggested you were getting something forbidden.

[@britt-sen]

Its is my fav liquor. We always pay a visit to absintherie when in town :)

[@telenikros]

i lived in Berloin 16 years ago and near where I lived, there was a Swiss bar that served Absinthe properly the distilled method for 5 euroes a shot, it was very good

[@michellemaine2719]

I was at a market in York recently, and they had chimney cake there. Looks like it's gaining popularity.

[@ondrejsoroka8170]

Like Old York, York? that is sad chimney cakes:o/

[@michellemaine2719]

@@ondrejsoroka8170 yup, good old York. They did refer to them as Hungarian at least.

[@burdnurd]

"you can drinking for whole day!" Quotes to live by.

[@Jotkah26]

What happened to becherovka ?