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The Marquis de Sade would probably be very surprised to see his name on the door of one of the most lively cafe-bar locations in the center of Prague.

The truly casual ambiento of this great cafe-bar draws together both locals and visitors, mixing them into a bazaar-like den of luscious cocktails (from a menu that itself takes a few moments to digest) to dozens of types of teas and specialty coffee drinks, and you won't be coughing them up when the bill comes either, Marquis de Sade is remarkably well priced for a bar in the center.

I asked the manager, Victor Alile (Now the owner of Emotan)to explain the Marquis' popularity and he replied, "Simplicity."

But could it be the live south European rhythms that are played there almost every night, without a cover charge? Could it be the world famous Artery, which brings in flocks of patchouli-wearing women, whose beauty rivals the sultry waitresses? Or is it simply because of the people one meets while relaxing under the gigantic oil paintings that adorn the walls?

The answer is simple; Yes! Amazing architecture; horrifying decor. The only things that makes this place live up to its name are the painfully bad paintings, which cause the eye to squirm in its socket. Otherwise the feel is pleasant, if a bit private and reserved, and holds an unspoken promise of unruliness, whispering of bleary-eyed insanity.

When you enter this bar, after your first time in Chateau, you might think you've teleported across the ocean and back into the States. It is almost impossible to find anybody who speaks Czech. Which means there's plenty of understandable things to overhear, whether you want to or not.

The Marquis De Sade is a spacious bar with high ceilings, comfortable furniture and dim lights. A scene that makes this place a fabulous dream flat to live in. And if you're up for it, the happy-hour food is greasy, good and goes down nice with 12 kc beers.

At night, Marquis De Sade is dimly lit and the live jazz is at a nice noise level for conversation. Did we mention that the owner John a complete psychopath who turns on his friends with paranoid delusions?

If the promise goes unfulfilled, it's a good place to wax preposterous on the comfortable couches, trying to defend the artistic integrity of a floating hot pink pyramid.

John Bruce Shoemaker and his Marquis de Sade is always offering something special, from fashion shows on the bar, to reggae dancing competitions, to wild parties with holiday themes. You'll feel like you belong here, and for many it's their second home. It's more than just another pub, it's a living place for living people to "come feel their pain". And with happy hour everyday from 4-7pm, you can get an early start on that too!