“No party can last forever.” The owners of the LGBT+ friendly club The Pitch want to bring Prague’s gay venues together through shared vouchers
Prague’s club scene is changing, and according to venue owners, music and alcohol alone are often no longer enough. Visitors are looking for an experience, a safe environment and a place where they can meet people with whom they share common ground. This is precisely the principle on which The Pitch, on Ječná Street in Prague – run by Miky and Emanuel – is based. They do not want to position the venue solely as a gay club, but as an inclusive space open to LGBTQ+ people and other communities.
However, the journey from the initial idea to opening their own club was not an easy one. Miky and Emanuel had to find suitable premises, embark on an extensive refurbishment, and gradually realised that attracting people to the new venue was by no means a given. In an interview with LUI, they discuss the transformation of nightlife in the wake of the pandemic, Generation Z, the safety of queer visitors, collaboration between Prague’s clubs, and why the future might lie in greater collaboration between them.
How did the idea to open The Pitch come about in the first place? What led you to it, and how did the two of you team up?
Emanuel: I came up with the idea about three years ago. At the time, I’d just got out of a relationship and had two spare tickets for a stand-up show by Jimmy Carr. I hadn’t seen Miki for a while, so I got in touch to ask if he’d like to come along with me. During the interval, I told him I’d been thinking about opening my own bar for quite a while, and I asked him if he’d like to get involved with me.
Miky: I was also drawn to the idea. I knew how other bars and clubs operated, and it sometimes struck me that some places were constantly packed, even though they didn’t offer particularly high-quality drinks or service. I thought that if we had a slightly better design, friendlier service and a higher-quality menu, it might work. Back then, we were perhaps a bit naive in thinking that a good venue and a bit of advertising would be enough to automatically fill the place.
But apart from The Pitch, you both had – or still have – your day jobs. Is that right?
Miky: I do. I work as an IT specialist, so The Pitch is a side project for me. My main role there is as an investor, and I look after the marketing and related matters. But when there’s a need to lend a hand, I naturally help out directly at the club as well. Some Saturdays or Sundays simply fall by the wayside because of it.
Emanuel: I’m mainly in charge of the club’s day-to-day running, the staff and basically everything from A to Z. Alongside that, I also help out at another company, where I work in HR.
How challenging is it to open a club like this? I imagine it’s not just about the capital, but also, for example, finding a suitable venue.
Emanuel: We spent about three quarters of a year looking for the right place and were at a loss for quite a while. Miky then found two venues that looked promising, but when we took a closer look at them, we both agreed we’d rather steer clear of them. For a while, it even looked as though we’d scrap the whole idea. But then Miky found out that this space at Ječná 12 was available, and we came to have a look.
Had there been a bar or club operating on these premises before you?
Miky: This place has quite a long history as a club. Venues have been operating here since at least the revolution, perhaps even earlier. According to documents we found in the archives, the whole building was granted planning permission sometime in the 1930s. Even back then, there was a café at the front and an orchestra used to play at the back.
Later on, a whole host of clubs came and went here. For example, there was Sparring, Melody and X-Bar. Probably the best known was the Rodeo Bar. It was precisely its former popularity that was one of the reasons why we decided to take over this space and try to breathe new life into it.
Emanuel: The problem was that the owners changed quite frequently, and each one only made temporary alterations to the space. The various alterations overlapped, and it was clear that many things had been done simply to make them work for a while. That’s why we practically stripped the entire front section back to the floor.
So the refurbishment must have significantly increased the original costs of opening the club.
Miky: Definitely. What’s more, we came across various unpleasant surprises during the refurbishment. To this day, for example, the acoustics aren’t quite finished, and there are still plenty of things we’d like to tweak or improve. We’ve got loads of ideas.
From the outset, however, it was essential for us that the electrical system, the final building inspection and all the necessary permits were in order. We therefore had the electrical wiring in the front section completely stripped out and redone. We even physically removed the floors ourselves, which was quite a challenge.
At first, we thought we could use the original bar. Gradually, however, we realised that it wasn’t in good condition and that there were problems underneath it, such as with the drainage. In the end, we decided it would be better to remove everything and build a new, clean bar. I think guests can tell when drinks are being prepared in a new and well-maintained environment.
Emanuel: Basically, we took what was left here, cleaned it up, repaired it and tried to breathe new life into the whole space. The renovation took place gradually, though. Every time we finished one part, something else would crop up that we wanted to change or improve.
Among other things, The Pitch also focuses on the LGBTQ+ community. Why did you decide to target this community in particular?
Miky: I might put it a bit differently. We don’t see The Pitch as purely an LGBTQ+ club, but as a community bar and club that’s open to different groups of people. I lived abroad for a long time and saw how different communities naturally came together there. It might have been, for example, Czechs or Slovaks organising their own events, wanting to meet up regularly and get to know new people.
So we decided we’d like to create a space for people who have a community around them and want to have fun together, chat or get to know one another. The LGBTQ+ community is, of course, part of that, but it isn’t the only group we want to reach out to.
So would it be fair to say that you’re more of an LGBTQ+ friendly venue than a club focused exclusively on one community?
Emanuel: Put simply, we’re an inclusive club. We don’t want to exclude anyone. We’ve organised events here for Ukrainians, Kazakhs, the Romani community and other groups.
We try to offer them a space, because in other clubs they often face high hire charges or a compulsory minimum spend that’s unrealistic for them. Then they have no choice but to organise events outdoors or in unsuitable conditions. We’d much rather they could be here, where they have privacy and can enjoy the event in safety. We’ve really enjoyed our collaboration with various communities so far, and it gives us a real sense of fulfilment.
So you rent out the venue to private groups, but you also organise your own regular events. What does your day-to-day running look like?
Miky: At weekends, we mainly use this large club space. During the week, it’s usually just the front bar that’s open. We’re closed on Sundays because we need to get some rest too.
We organise several regular events. Some are more successful than others, and some have gradually established themselves as standalone brands. For example, our collaboration with Wendy Adkins, who specialises in travesty and drag performances, has worked really well for us. A friend of mine came up with the name ‘Twink Party’ for one such event. It’s slightly provocative, but not offensive. People in the target audience immediately understand what sort of evening it is, whilst others don’t give it a second thought.
The event was very well received for a while, and some guests returned regularly. They appreciated, for example, that the club isn’t as overcrowded as some other venues, that we serve good drinks, and that they can have a good time here. We therefore want to continue with queer events, particularly around the time of Prague Pride. In the autumn, however, we’re also planning more evenings aimed at other communities and types of audience.
Have you noticed a trend amongst young people of going to clubs less often than before? There’s often talk of Generation Z spending more time on social media and meeting people through apps.
Emanuel: I can’t say whether that’s true in general, but Covid certainly had a major impact on the club scene. When we opened the venue, we perhaps had the slightly naïve expectation that people would immediately take to the new club and start coming in droves. The reality was more complicated.
The pandemic hit people both financially and mentally and changed their habits. When I was younger, I used to go out to have a laugh or pop into a pub at practically every opportunity. These days, that’s not so common, and it’s clear that pubs, for example, are suffering significantly as a result. At the same time, however, we feel that the situation is gradually changing again and people are returning to venues.
This is also linked to the claim that Generation Z drinks less alcohol. Have you noticed that young guests are ordering non-alcoholic drinks more often?
Miky: It depends on exactly who we classify as Generation Z, so I’d rather not generalise too much. In my view, Covid has once again played a major role. During the pandemic, people got used to house parties and meeting in small, private groups. Of course, they still wanted to see each other; they just tended to meet in private rather than in public venues.
Gradually, though, they started going out again and meeting other people as well. Birthday parties, for example, are going very well for us at the moment. A group of forty or sixty people who all know each other will turn up. I think it’s precisely this type of close-knit group of friends that may have formed more strongly during the pandemic.
At the same time, a club or bar isn’t just about alcohol these days. Above all, people want an experience. They want karaoke, dancing, table football or other forms of entertainment. Alcohol is just one part of the evening, not its sole purpose.
For younger guests, price is also a factor. Alcoholic drinks are expensive, and students often opt for cheaper alternatives. Some young people socialise outdoors with drinks bought from a shop, so they aren’t even our direct clientele. On the other hand, we also attract young working people who already have some experience and, conversely, prefer higher-quality drinks or better types of alcohol. So it’s not simply a case of an entire generation giving up drinking. Rather, the way people enjoy themselves and what they’re willing to spend money on is changing.
So far, we’ve mainly been talking about the younger generation. But do you also get older guests?
Emanuel: Definitely, and in fact, more and more so. Our collaboration with other venues in the area helps us. Some close earlier, and when their guests want to carry on having fun, they recommend us to them. We’re gradually managing to appeal to different age groups.
So the businesses in the area help each other out in this way?
Emanuel: Exactly. We were recently saying amongst the other owners that Ječná Street actually functions like a sort of small village. People from the different venues know each other, refer guests to one another and try to work together. It’s lovely.
When we were arranging this interview, you mentioned that collaboration is also taking place between individual gay clubs. How does this concept work?
Miky: The idea came from the owner of the Termix club, who I happened to strike up a conversation with. He suggested we could put our heads together and come up with something together.
I’d also seen a similar system in Barcelona, where it’s quite common. When a guest leaves one club, they can be given a voucher or a ticket for another venue. If they’ve had enough of the programme at one place, they don’t have to end their evening there, but can carry on somewhere else.
We thought we could give it a go in Prague as well. So far, we’ve trialled the system at two events and the guests’ reactions have been positive. Of course, not every event at one club appeals to the clientele of another, so we only use this collaboration when it makes sense. In the future, however, more venues could get involved, and a wider system of mutual vouchers could be established.
So for now, you’re mainly collaborating with the Termix club?
Miky: Yes. For example, we’ve linked up queer events such as our Twink parties. We also used this collaboration for Diva Night with Wendy. We always try to choose evenings where the audiences of both clubs overlap, at least to some extent.
Could this sort of collaboration between clubs help the Prague scene survive more difficult times? In Berlin, for example, there’s talk these days of a gradual decline in part of the club scene.
Emanuel: It’s also challenging for us that we’re located in the centre of Prague, close to big clubs like Duplex or Epic. Competing with them isn’t easy. We therefore believe that collaboration with other venues is a very good way forward. Not just between LGBTQ+ clubs, but also with venues that don’t directly target this community. If we could manage to create a wider network, it could benefit the whole of Prague’s nightlife scene.
Miky: It’s a win-win for the guest. They come to one club, have a good time for a while, but later feel like a change of scene. Thanks to the voucher, they can seamlessly carry on elsewhere and extend their evening. At the same time, they’ll remember that they got something extra at the first club, and might return there next time.
Of course, every venue must offer a quality programme, good drinks, friendly service and an atmosphere where guests feel at ease. No party can last forever. If people want to carry on elsewhere, I think it’s perfectly natural to offer them that option.
Looking ahead, I can even imagine a permanent pass valid across multiple clubs. With a single pass, you could visit several different venues in the course of an evening.
Are you planning a similar collaboration between clubs during this year’s Prague Pride as well?
Miky: I’ve also discussed this idea with the Prague Pride management. The organisers wanted to try out a similar concept last year, but at the time they didn’t have enough capacity to focus on collaboration with the clubs. This year, they’ve managed to integrate nightlife venues more prominently into the programme.
Last year, however, the clubs seemed to have been somewhat sidelined. Their programme was presented separately and wasn’t so closely linked to the rest of the festival.
Miky: I felt the same way. I think it was partly down to the problems the organisers were dealing with at the time, but I don’t know the exact reasons. This year, they’ve taken a slightly more commercial approach, which I think is fine. Prague Pride is a festival, and people want to carry on having fun after the main programme. Clubs are therefore a natural part of it, especially when, for example, the weather isn’t playing along.
This year, however, individual venues are setting their own entry fees. We have one price, Termix has another, and the other clubs are doing the same. If Prague Pride were to introduce a single festival pass in future, we’d be happy to get involved, as I think that would make sense.
It would be more complicated to distribute the ticket revenue fairly. We’d have to track exactly how many people came to each club thanks to the festival pass and how many visitors turned up independently or with friends. Technically, though, it could certainly be sorted out.
In recent years, there’s also been a lot of talk about safety, harassment and discrimination in relation to queer venues. Do you have specific rules in place, and do you train your staff on how to handle such situations?
Emanuel: We’re really strict when it comes to safety. We carry out thorough checks at the entrance and don’t allow weapons, pepper spray or larger containers, such as deodorants or perfumes, inside. In that respect, it sometimes feels almost like being at an airport here. We don’t want to take anything lightly, especially following incidents that have occurred in the past at other venues in Prague.
As for discrimination or harassment, all staff know they must keep an eye on what’s happening in the club and immediately alert security if they notice anything. Security staff are stationed in the main hall and in other parts of the venue so they can intervene quickly if a problem arises. We want everyone to feel safe here, regardless of which community they belong to.
Apart from the weather, what else determines whether a particular evening will be a success?
Miky: There are so many factors. The season plays a big part. The busiest months are usually September, October and November. Festivals such as Halloween also go down very well, because people want to come in fancy dress and experience a themed party with all the trimmings. New Year’s Eve is, of course, also a big night. Conversely, during the Christmas holidays, attendance is lower because people are spending time with their families.
It also depends on the type of event we’re organising. For example, after-parties following school-leavers’ balls work really well for us; we’ve had the club completely full on such occasions. For a regular club night, the key is, above all, a good idea and the ability to spot a trend that people are currently enjoying. Sometimes, for example, music from a particular era starts to catch on again because younger visitors are nostalgically returning to it.
People who have their own community around them also play a big role. These might be smaller influencers or simply prominent figures who bring dozens of friends with them. Put simply, people attract other people.
Of course, advertising, quality music and a good DJ are important. When someone who has their own following in Prague performs, it can have a major impact on the whole evening. We had an excellent experience with Anna Banana, for example. A huge crowd turned up that night and the atmosphere was brilliant.
Sometimes a discount or a special drink can help too. At Ukrainian events, for example, we offered drinks that guests are familiar with from their home country but which aren’t commonly available here in the Czech Republic. It went down very well, as it reminded them of home. It’s a bit like if someone abroad offered me Kofola or Czech bread – I’d probably want to go back there too.
So do you handle the club’s marketing yourselves?
Miky: We tried working with an agency as well, but it didn’t really suit us. Agencies often emphasised how professional and comprehensive their work was, but nobody could tell us what specific results their work would deliver. They weren’t able to estimate by how much they’d increase attendance or how many people they’d bring to an event.
At the same time, they charged very high fees for their services. In the end, we therefore adapted our marketing to suit our own resources and do it ourselves.
To finish off, I’d like to ask about what’s new. What are you planning at The Pitch, and how would you entice visitors who haven’t been there yet?
Miky: We also look for inspiration abroad. For example, I recently visited some clubs in Athens and was really impressed by the standard of production there. Greece may not be seen as the wealthiest country, but the locals certainly know how to have a good time, and the clubs there manage to create a truly impressive atmosphere.
That’s also why we’ve decided to invest in a high-quality light show. We believe lighting is a vital part of the club experience, and we want to keep working on it to make the production even more striking. That could well be one of the things that sets us apart from other venues.
Emanuel: We’ve also completely revamped the drinks menu and created some new signature drinks. Up until now, the front bar has served as a sort of laboratory for us, where we’ve been testing what guests like and what we can offer. When a drink proved popular and people kept ordering it, we added it to the permanent menu.
In future, we want to differentiate the front bar and the back club area more clearly. The name ‘The Pitch’ itself reflects our desire to listen to our guests’ ideas. For example, we have a ‘guest drinks’ menu where recipes suggested by our guests themselves can be included. If someone tells us they’ve had an interesting drink somewhere, we can give it a go. If it goes down well, it’ll appear on the menu.
Miky: We also want to focus even more on birthday parties. We’ve already hosted several large birthday parties here that were a great success, and we’d like to organise similar events more often.
If someone has a larger group of friends and wants to celebrate their birthday with them, we want to do our utmost to accommodate them. Our aim is to provide a safe space where guests can relax, have a great time and enjoy the evening just as they’d like.
So, if anyone reading this interview would like to organise a birthday party at The Pitch, how can they get in touch with you?
Emanuel: The easiest way is to contact us via our website. Interested parties can book a specific date, and then we’ll work out the details of the event together.
Miky: We can arrange music to suit your preferences, for example. If the guest of honour has their own DJ, we can provide the necessary technical equipment and facilities. We try to be flexible and organise the party to suit the specific group’s wishes.
