Discover why Jakubske Namesti and Na Stojaka in Brno are overrated spots with poor service. Expats, here’s where not to go next summer.
Summer is coming to an end, and the post we’re about to write is closely tied to it—so let this serve as a warning for next summer.
While what follows may also apply to locals, our main audience is expats in Brno. And to them, we want to highlight a place worth avoiding altogether. Yes, it looks charming, it has strong summer vibes with live concerts, and it’s incredibly central—just steps from Náměstí Svobody. But despite these advantages, it should be boycotted until the owners realize that something needs to change (mainly the staff—or at least teach them basic manners).
We’re talking about Jakubské Náměstí, one of the most popular summer hangouts in Brno (the square of all squares for summer nights). And yet, it is without doubt one of the most overrated places in town. The main reason? The staff at the two busiest venues on the square don’t seem to know the meaning of friendliness. In fact, more than once, encounters with them have ended in open arguments—whether at Jakoby or Na Stojáka.
Why You Should Avoid Jakoby and Na Stojaka
During the many years I’ve lived in Brno, I’ve spent countless summer evenings at both pubs—dropping tens of thousands of crowns there, often with groups of friends. Over time, though, I made a conscious decision to stop setting foot in either Jakoby or Na Stojáka.
The reasons are simple: arrogant, dismissive waiters who act like they’re doing you a favor, sighing at every order. And in the case of Na Stojáka, you can add endless queues for beer that’s decent, sure, but nothing more than your average good Czech lager. Considering you can get equally good (or better) beer just 100 meters away at Lokál U Caipa, often at lower prices, why put yourself through it?
Is it discrimination against foreigners? Honestly, I don’t think so. I’ve seen the same dismissive attitude towards locals as well. To be fair, poor service used to be a broader issue in Brno pubs and restaurants, but over the years I’ve seen major improvements—everywhere except on Jakubské Náměstí. Which is why these places don’t make the cut for expat-friendly bars in Brno.
The only partial exception might be San Giacomo. It was once worth visiting for a good pizza, but lately it’s been a disappointment. And anyway, it’s more of a wannabe Italian restaurant than a pub—and overpriced at that. (We’ll definitely write a future post about the best Italian restaurants in Brno.)
So here’s our suggestion:
If you’re just visiting Brno as a tourist, by all means, walk through Jakubské Náměstí—it’s a pretty square.
But if you live here, you can (and should) skip it.
Maybe, if enough of us do, we’ll finally see some real improvements in how customers are treated.
If you're interested in collaborating with us, feel free to share your suggestions, including those related to the places we review, or notify us about any events by sending an email to expat247@outlook.com.
