Hungary Nightlife

New clubs and discos are constantly sprouting up all over the city, and there is no district especially renowned for its nightlife. The bars offer something for everybody, from sleazy sex bars to calm cafés; and there is plenty of time to experiment - many bars are open until dawn, most close around 0400. Clubs charge Ft500-1000 entry and may ban those in shorts or track suits. The minimum drinking age is 18 years.

Bars: The Crazy Café, VI. Jókai utca 30, stocks over 100 types of beer and is popular with the young set, and open until 0100. Café Mediterran, VI. Liszt Ferenc tér, is open until 0200 and has a friendly atmosphere and attractive terrace that is packed in summer. Night and Day, VI. Andrássy út 46, draws an older crowd 24-hours a day as its name suggests. For those yearning to hear their native language spoken, the Irish Cat, V. Múzeum körút, provides relief, open until 0200 daily, it is often packed. Beckett's, V. Bajcsy-Zsilinszky út, open until 0200, is one of the few bars to accept major credit cards. This huge Irish pub draws the Anglophone business community, but most Hungarians are out-priced.

Casinos: Budapest has over a dozen casinos, mostly in the luxury hotels along the Dunakorzó. Anything but formal dress precludes entry. Credit cards are not accepted. The Casino Budapest Hilton, I. Hess András tér 1-3, is open 1900-0200, Casino Budapest Gresham, Gresham Palace, V. Roosevelt tér 5, is open 1400-0400. Las Vegas Casino, V. Roosevelt tér 2 and open 1400-0500, while the grand Várkert Casino, 1 Ybl Miklós tér 9, designed by Miklós Ybl, architect of the State Opera House, is open 1400-0500.

Clubs: Most clubs are open until at least 0300, many until 0600. The admission fee varies from about Ft300 to over Ft1000. Most do not accept credit cards and some do not speak English. Budapest bouncers often belong to the mafia so it is best to smile sweetly and pay the entrance fee.

The young and beautiful flock to E-Play, VI. Teréz körút 55, at the top of the grand Nyugati station for the latest techno tunes. Angyal, VII. Szövetség utca 33, is Budapest's top gay club. The nearby Franklin Trocadero Café, V. Szent István körút 15, plays good Latin music. Retro is provided for in the cellar-club Nincs Pardon, VIII. Almássy tér 2. Jazz is played at Piaf, VI. Nagymez? utca 25, which stays open until 0600.

Live music: Mexican music is played on Monday, Wednesday and Friday evenings at Latin Kocsma, V. Havas utca 2. Jazz is played from time to time in the Galéria, VII. Akácfa tér 7 and also at the Bohemian nightspot Piaff (see above).
SÜSS FEL NAP
V. Honvéd utca 40, Tram 4, 6, Open: 3pm-3am daily
Laid back and wholly unpretentious, Süss Fel Nap is the sort of club where you can simply be yourself, hang out with friends and have a great time. The atmosphere is infectiously cheerful, drinks are cheap and grooves don't let up before closing time. Recommended.

GARAGE:

If you’re looking for a not-so-ordinary way to spend your Wednesday nights, go down to the garage! ??? Of course, we mean Garage, on Arany Janos utca. Future Sound of Budapest every Wednesday (the very best and latest funky-house music). A huge array of cocktails, a Pina Colada will set you back about 1000 Ft. Expect massive crowds; if you don’t plan on dancing all night, you might want to reserve a table a few days in advance.(Tel: 302-6473). It’s very popular with foreign crowds, be careful about what you say in English... There’s no shortage of beautiful Hungarian women, if that’s your thing. As for the men, well that’s the best we can say about them. Feel free to dance on the tables, last time we were there, a very hot guy provided the entertainment by dancing and stripping. (Of course later he did get pulled off the table by security) And we haven’t seen him since. There is a cover, 500 Ft.

Hungary Nightlife

Visiting Hungary?

Visiting Hungary?