Pivovar Hotel: A Complete Czech Experience In Waco
Pivovar Hotel is Waco's first authentic Czech brewery, hotel, beer garden, restaurant, beer spa, and event space. Honestly, it's the first of its kind in the entire state of Texas...and most likely the whole region. You simply don't find an authentic Czech brewery, Lukr side-pour beer faucets, and goulash and pork schnitzel, all located on the same site as an adorable boutique hotel that offers a cozy place to stay with...beer baths? Yeah. You don't really find that very often.
Yet here it is in Waco, Texas!
Pivovar opened in 2021 in downtown Waco. If you're familiar with the Magnolia Market at the silos from Chip and Joanna Gaines fame, then you know the spot. Pivovar is right next to Magnolia Market. (Psst: Pivovar is an excellent place to stay if you're hoping to visit the Magnolia silos!)
If you're curious what Pivovar is all about, here's a comprehensive guide to the hotel, brewery, restaurant, and experience.
Introduction To Pivovar Brewery, Restaurant, and Hotel
Pivovar opened in 2021 as "a luxury experience in an authentic and unique Czech environment from start to finish." It's designed to be an upscale restaurant and hotel, but with a bit of a casual feel to it. Meaning, you don't really have to get dressed up to go here, and the entire family is welcome. But it's a step up from many of the other restaurants you might find in Waco.
It was designed to be a place where you can enjoy a crisp, refreshing Czech pilsner...but instead of flying all the way to Prague, you can enjoy it in a biergarten in the heart of Waco.
The restaurant is quite large, with a big open feel and a central bar. The brewery is visible to guests, seen through large glass windows. And the biergarten is also onsite, located on the back side of the building.
If you're interested in staying at the Pivovar Hotel, it's also located on site. There's a separate entrance for hotel guests, and an elevator will take you upstairs to 24 guest rooms.
Each floor of the hotel features two private beer spas, which each includes two copper soaking tubs. This is where you can enjoy a beer bath of hot water, bubbles, and beer yeast, which promises a whole host of wellness opportunities (but honestly is just mostly a relaxing experience!)
Handcrafted Czech Beers Brewed On Site
If you're just stopping by for a quick visit, the first thing you should prioritize is getting a pint of their Czech lager.
It's not very often that you find an authentic Czech beer like this...especially in a fairly new-to-the-beer-scene city like Waco!
What is a Czech beer?
Czech beer is typically a pilsner (after all, pilsners originated in the Czech Republic!), although there are other styles of Czech beer. Picture a light, golden-colored lager with a lot of foam, a light mouthfeel, and a crisp, refreshing finish. That's a Czech beer!
You can find a pilsner at pretty much any craft brewery in the United States, but it's not always a Czech pilsner. It has to be made with the ingredients and in the style of a Czech pilsner to be considered one. (Duh.)
And what makes Pivovar so unique? Well, one of the most interesting components of this place is the way their beer is served! If you look at the tap wall, you'll see that instead of normal beer taps, they have these fancy side-pour handles. They're the authentic way of serving these Czech beers, and they result in a big, rich, foamy pour.
Pro tip: you can ask for a "milk pour," which means they'll fill up about 50% of the beer glass with that delicious foam. It's like drinking a cloud of malty-yeasty-hops and it's completely yummy.
Try a flight at Pivovar!
They offer flights on the menu, so if you're not sure what type of beer you like, you can try all five beers at once. Here's what the flight includes:
Session Beer - the lightest, easiest drinker on the menu
Light Premium Lager - a delicious, balanced, light version of their premium lager. It's kind of like a light beer you might already be used to, but wayyyy more delicious!
Premium Lager - a classic pilsner. Perfection.
Vienna Lager - a bit more amber in color, so it's perfect on an autumn day
Dunkel Beer - their dark beer, but don't expect it to be a thick, syrupy finish. This dark lager is surprisingly light-bodied!
Traditional Czech Cuisine
Plan to stay for an entire meal, if you have the time. The food, ambiance, and service at Pivovar are all exceptional.
They strive to create a menu of authentic Czech cuisine...buuut, this is still central Texas and they know that there are people who just want a burger and onion rings. So there's stuff here the entire family will enjoy!
What to order at Pivovar
Czech Fried Cheese - one of the most authentic starters on the menu, the fried cheese is a combination of brick cheese, smoked cheddar, and mozzarella, battered and fried to a perfectly crisp golden color. Served with the house-made Pomodoro (tomato) and tartar dipping sauce
Chilled Sausage Plate - another delicious Czech starter, and it's very easy to share! The sausage plate is served with three house-made sausages, beer mustard, and red onions
Czech Chicken and Barley Soup - served with half a pastrami and swiss sandwich
Traditional Pork Schnitzel - kind of like the schnitzel we've all tried before, but sooo much better! The meat is tender and flavorful, and it's deep-fried and served with the most amazing mashed potatoes on the side.
Braised Short Rib Goulash - a goulash is a soup, but this version is a bit more like a melt-in-your-mouth short rib that's been cooked in its own juice, resulting in a decadent meat dish with a hearty serving of mashed potatoes.
Curry-wurst - a classic! This house-made bratwurst is covered in a tomato curry sauce and served with french fries
Unique Hotel Experience
And if you've enjoyed the beer, you've dined on a full Czech meal, and you're still ready to experience more Pivovar, book a room at this gorgeous boutique hotel and stay overnight!
There aren't many boutique hotels in Waco, so Pivovar really sets itself apart by creating a unique, cozy, and inviting atmosphere for its guests.
They offer free parking in the adjacent lot, but no valet service. But that's ok, because the lot is literally a few steps away from the hotel door.
Upon entering, you'll be greeted in a small (very small!) lobby where you can check in, receive your key (and a ticket for a free beer at the brewer!), and find the elevator up to your room.
All of the hotel rooms are on the second and third floor of the building. There's a central "courtyard" window on each floor that looks down to the restaurant below. The rooms cover the perimeter of the building, so every room has an exterior-facing window.
Cozy And Inviting Atmosphere
The hotel rooms are luxurious with old world, Czech-inspired decor. The wood furnishings and dark green walls juxtapose with the clean white bed linens and cement floors for an interesting old world/new world mix.
Each room features a walk-in shower, a mini bar stocked with a few snacks and beverages, and a view of downtown Waco.
One thing worth noting about Pivovar is that it's directly adjacent to the train track. If you're sensitive to loud noises, this might bother you. However, after staying overnight, I can tell you that the sounds didn't keep me up at all.
Amenities include:
Bathrobes
Cribs upon request
Slippers
110-120 volt circuits
220-240 volt circuits
Air-conditioning
Cable television
Cable television - fee
Ceiling fan
Coffee maker
Hairdryer
LAN internet (wired)
Minibar
Wireless internet (WiFi)
Wireless internet (WiFi) - fee
Walk-In Shower
Spa Services Available
And finally, let's talk about the beer spa! The word "spa" is a bit generous, because the Pivovar spa experience is a glorified bubble bath. Photo Credits: Pivovar Website
However, the history dates back to more than 2000 years ago when beer baths were used to treat all sorts of ailments. But today, you can indulge in a bath at Pivovar simply for relaxation!
There are two copper tubs in each spa room, so you can do a "couples" beer bath (but everyone gets their own tub!) or just enjoy by yourself.
No, the tub isn't actually filled with beer. It's a hot bubble bath with a significant amount of beer ingredients added (mostly brewers yeast), and you're invited to enjoy a flight of Pivovar beer or a Czech wine flight during your bath.
Are there health benefits to taking a beer bath?
Well, simply relaxing and reducing stress is certainly a health benefit! We all carry so much stress in our bodies, so any chance to unwind and relax is incredibly beneficial to the body's nervous system.
But in addition to that, Pivovar suggests that a beer bath could provide the following benefits:
- Releases muscle tension and soothes arthritis symptoms
- Stress reduction
- Flushes toxins from the body
- Smoothes wrinkles
- Hydrates skin and cleanses pores
- Hops has antiseptic and anti-inflammatory properties
- Supports digestion and metabolism
- Improves blood circulation
- Calms irritated skin
Location In Waco, Texas
Among all the other wonderful things about Pivovar, the location in the heart of Waco, Texas is among the best of them! There are very (very!) few unique, local boutique hotels in Waco. And as the city is quickly growing and expanding, both in size and in mindset, the need for these beautiful overnight stays is growing. Pivovar fills the need for a beautiful, one-of-a-kind experience for Waco guests and locals.
WEBSITE | 320 S 8th St, Waco, TX 76701