Máj is what happened when two Czech brothers, Václav and Martin Klán, spent US$200 million and let their imaginations go wild.

Nine floors, of what was once a department store, have been transformed into a mix of shops, restaurants, bars, fairground games and a rooftop terrace.

The opening party was spectacular - everyone enjoyed live music by the Esteriore Brothers, complimentary games, drinks and food, including sashimi cut from a huge tuna.

Shops occupy Floor 1 (the ground floor), with a chandelier-covered food court and restaurants on Floor 2 - these include the first Five Guys US burger franchise and the second Popeye's US fried chicken franchise in the Czech Republic. There is also Mi Sushi, which advertises an à la carte/all-you-can-eat concept.

Floors 3 and 4 are a crazy mix of fairground games, arcade machines, pub games, bars and food outlets.

There is also a dance floor, where the Esteriore Brothers performed Sarà Perché Ti Amo during the opening party.

My prediction is that the floors 3 and 4 will struggle in their current form, which reminds me of the failed Disney Quest venture, to put mini theme parks into urban areas. It's a nightmare to maintain and repair all the various arcade games. I would guess at least one of these floors will become a sports bar. And that's fine - not everything will work as per the vision.

Floor 5 is a children's playground which extends onto an outside terrace.

Floor 6 is called 'Backintime' and opens later this year. This will be a journey to Czech history - let's hope this includes the DeLorean from Back to the Future. @Václav and Martin Klán - I can help with that.

Floor 7 is Heroes Park, a celebration of movie superheroes.

Floor 8 is a lavish bar/restaurant called Fly Vista, with the highest and longest bar in the Czech Republic.

Fly Vista has an outside terrace and steps up to a higher terrace (Floor 9), with amazing views of Prague.

No expense has been spared to realise the vision of Klán brothers, although it's hard to imagine how Máj will make a return on the investment. There's no doubt that many will criticise how Máj doesn't fit 'culturally' within Prague - but, they've taken a run-down store and transformed it into something amazing - at least it's not another Irish pub, stripclub or Thai massage place!

Máj Národní opens to the public on Monday 24th June 2024.

Máj Národní
Národní 63/26, 110 00 Nové Město
Prague, Czech Republic

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