Apotheka cafe bar — Restaurant in okres Český Krumlov

We had drinks here twice tonight, with friends from our tour group. The first time was great: tasty, inexpensive drinks, decent service. No complaints.

We went back later in the evening, after dining elsewhere, and had a very unpleasant experience. Drinks were still good, but the service was inattentive, impatient, and rude.

During our second round of drinks, after a few friends had left, the waiter put a "reserved" sign on one of our two tables, as if to say "we don't want your friends coming back.". Yes we're all Anglophone tourists, and yes there's a language barrier. The staff speak very little English. But we were not loud or rude or anything like that.

We asked why the sudden reserved sign, and the staff just looked away, then immediately starting talking to each other in Czech, while gesturing at our group. We felt very unwelcome, as if they wanted the tourists to leave. Soon after, our bill was dropped - unasked for. We got nothing but glares and cold hostility after that with no explanation. And this is after we had tipped, and quite well, too, on our first visit!

Clearly a place that does not welcome outsiders, as other reviewers have commented. If we had stumbled into the cool neighbourhood, where the hipsters go for "mixology", this could be explained. However, we were 95% of their business on a Monday night in a tourist trap, and apparently money and a good reputation mean little to the staff...

Out of a pure coincidence, we chose to try this bar and thankfully we did because it was perfect. Coctails are carefully crafted with precision, unique blends that create a festive aftertaste.

We first tried Basil Grande and Oak Negroni. Basil grande felt like you are inside a basil garden. The smell takes you to summertime. However the taste is quite different. There’s barely the taste of raw greenness. I’d totally recommend. Oak Negroni was rather sweet, tasteful, small sips with a small stop at the back of the mouth lets you fully explore the layers.

We ordered shepher’s pie to share. It was alright. Nothing special or out of the ordinary. Potato layer was thick, meat was barely there but the food is not our criteria here.

We went on with Chateau Balsam and Rum Old Fashioned. Chateau Balsam is way out of my classical choices but I enjoyed it very much. These creations separate themselves from the classics due to the aftertaste. It is to die for. Same goes for Rum Old Fashioned, too.

Staff were knowledgeable, they answered all of our questions, service was fast. We visited the bar at 15:00 so it was easier to find a spot. Taking photos is prohibited so we first asked the staff whether we could. They were kind enough to let us.

Interior is quaint, old-timey and nicely decorated. Music could be enhanced obviously. It was a nice experience and I’d visit this place again to try...

I would be happy to give it much higher rating as these guys behind the bar are doing really really good job like the best mixologist in any big city. Fantastic discovery for such a traditional place.

The reason I've given it a low rating is that by the time it came to payment I tried to pay by card (which is hugely accepted by most places I visited including pharmacies and grocery stores) and the host (girl) very impolitely told me not only they don't accept credit cards but that I would have to asked them before I made an order. We had a bit of conversation which left her with no tips and nil regret about not leaving them from my side. But it seams she totally out of understanding what hospitality means. Not listening to customers but telling them.

Would I return (if I'm not leaving tomorrow) - probably not because I don't like impolite people in hospitality business. So, be careful coming without cash - you may have some really unpleasant moments dealing with the situation.

Otherwise - fantastic concept who just employed wrong people and implemented...