Budapest Clubbing Scene - Bars Clubs and Nightlife In Budapest - Stag & Hen Nights
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Budapest Clubbing Scene - Clubs & Nightlife In Budapest
(For info on Clubbing in other cities in Europe visit our European Clubbing Page)
Clubbers visiting Budapest face a challenge when it comes to distinguishing 'music and dance clubs' from sex shows and brothels. The task is not made any easier by resorting to the usually informative cab or taxi driver for help as many of these are on commission for every foreign tourist they deliver to a sex joint. So if you ask the driver to take you to a particular club they may tell you it is closed, moved to a new address, or not very good and offer to take you somewhere else. We have had even had a few reports of 'kind' drivers dropping clubbers off free at one or two clubs to make sure they get their commision. As there is no such thing as a 'free lunch' the clubbers end up rinsed of their money once they are inside.
There are three ways you can overcome this. Avoiding flagging down a taxis in the street and If you are in a hotel ask them to order you a taxi that is honest and will take you to the club you want to go to.The second opton is to order a cab to the road or street you are going to and then walk to the club. The third option is to go to the club by public transport. It is of course posible with the second and third options that the club is no longer there when you arrive but getting a second cab to an alternative venue will be far cheaper than going to the wrong club. The golden rule here is not to go to a club chosen by a taxi driver!
The Bahnhof Music Club at VI. Váci u. 1, Budapest Telephone 36 1 302-4751 is a fairly safe bet for a night out especially as it is popular with locals. The club has a cover charge - nearly always below 1,000 ft. It has two dance areas one that plays contemporary music and classic dance hits. The other tends to specialise in a specific genre on individual nights - with reggare and soul nights not uncommon. Usually closes around 4am No Website - details email Editorial Comment Follow the locals who say the drinks prices are ok!
The A38 Boat Club at XI. Pázmány Péter sétány, Budapest Telephone 36 1 464-3940. This club is on board a ship moored in the Danube and was probably Budapests no.1 club extremly popular locals when it first docked there six or seven years ago. The novelty of clubbing on board a ship has warn off a little with the locals but it remains one of the best clubs in Budapest and on its club nights has guest DJS from all over Europe. Music can be varied but tends to be mainstream No cover charge or only a very small one is a frequent feature of Club nights. It also put on some pretty decent live underdgound and punk bands when a cover charge, depending on the band, between 1500 and 7,000 ft is made. See website for programmes. Other features are a fairly good restaurant and a outdoor terrace though the latter is not open in the winter. The club can be found on the Buda Bank by the Petőfi Bridge. Editorial Comment Well decked out venue that is thought to be a little expensive drinkwise by some but the lack of cover charges on club nights mean that locals consider it a decent night out.
Club Seven at Akácfa u. 7, Budapest Telephone 36 1 478-9030. Very well promoted club aimed at tourists to Budapest which account for its high cover charges from 1000-ft - 2000 ft. Its specialises in expensive cocktails and has no music bias. Has a reputation as an well decorated expensive pick up joint with locals. Editorial Comment You have been warned.
Fel 10 Jazz Klub at VIII. Baross u. 30. Authentic jazz (rock) club which features live sets every night of the week. Cover Charges usually circa 500 ft. Also has dance parties after midnight on Thursday Friday & Saturdays. Appeals to 25+ age group.Closes 4am nightly. Editorial Comment Club has no website or public telephone number so the programmes here are unknown but the club is held in a high regard and known for being dependable.
The Godor Club at V. Erzsébet tér, Budapest (no public telephone no). Highy acclaimed club that stages a broad range of music including rap and jazz. see website for details. In the early evening it has an outdoor stage offering you a free sample of whats on inside that night ! Cover charges vary - between 500 ft and 700 ft depending on whether the programme is DJ or band centred. Editorial Comment The outdoor preview has become a cult evening activity for many. The only downside here is the club usually closes at 2am.
The Jailhouse at IX. Tuzoltó u. 22, Budapest (no public telephone no). This 'alternative' club has its regulars inspite of its slightly high cover charge of 800 ft. The clubs DJs offer a mixture of break beat drum n' bass to progressive and of course reggae. The club opens Weds - Sundays 10pm - 5am. Ed Comment. Seems to becoming a standard in its field.
The Piaf Club at VI. Nagymezo u. 25, Budapest 36 1 312-3823. This venue , which is open nightly from 10pm until around 5 or 6am is probably one of the safest bets in Budapest. It is quite classy and tends to appeal to those with slightly bohemian tastes. It has a cover charge of less than a 1,000 ft and is popular with locals and tourists. Muscially it offers a relaxed jazz / blues club upstairs with a very relaxed ambience enhanced by a resident pianist. In very stark contrast the DJs in the basement cleverly mix dance classics from the 70's 80's and 90's and this area is well known for some pretty lively dance parties at times. No website. Editorial Comment Decent club with a very friendly ambience - reliable.
Fat Mo's Music Club & Restaurant at V. Nyári Pál u. 11, Budapest Telephone 36 1 267-3199. This no cover charge venue is a long established blues and jazz club (with a little soul added to spice thing up occasionally) is also famous for its steak dinners so if your eating you should book a table. website. Open Monday Tuesday Wednesday from noon to 2am, Thursday / Friday noon to 4am, Saturday 6pm to 4am, and on Sunday from 6pm to 2am. Editorial Comment Excellent food, relaxed atmosphere with knowledgeable DJ's .
The Suss Fel Nap Music Club at Szent Istavan Korut Tel: 36 1 374 3329 is aimed at a young audience and has a growing reputation for putting on bands destined to go on and succeed. The music is punk and techno but also features some pretty clever electronic music.. website not found. Cover Charges range from 600 - 2400 ft. Editorial Comment Professionally run venue which unlike some places has plenty of seating as well.
The Trafo Bar Tango at IX. Liliom u. 41, Budapest Tel: 36 1215-1600 Cover Charges range from 600 - 2500 ft. Former Jazz venue that now concentrates on alternative music especially reggae and indie but Patrons should check website for programme.Open daily from 6pm till 3 / 4am. Editorial Comment. Has a very small dance floor.Most Noted Bars In Budapest
Aloe at VI. Zichy Jeno u. 34, Budapest Telephone 36 1 269-4536. Some pretty good local and European beers here with even the stronger ones very fairly priced plus a fair range of similarliy good value cocktails supported by staff who want to serve you. Open everyday from 5pm till about 2am
The Szimpla Kert at Kazinczy u. 14, Budapest, 1073 Telephone 36 1 352-4198. This bar in Budapest'Jewish Quarter (District VII) is one of the city's most friendly bars. It has several bars on several levels all with tables of varying size and thus welcoming to any number of guests. As Its drinks prices are standard it is popular with locals and visitors.
Janis Bar at V. Királyi Pál u. 8, Budapest Telephone 36 1 266-7364 This establishment has a fairly extensive range of drinks. Music is mostly mainstream from the 70's 80's and 90's. Opens Monday - Thursday 4pm until 2am. Friday & Saturday 4pm until 3am. Check website for Sunday times & other info. Editorial Comment A little on the expensive side.
And there's Guiness too!
Every city in Eastern Europe appears to have an Irish Bar and Budapest is no exception. Becketts is one of the better ones, it is not small like many of its cousins but its very lively at the weekends. The food is exceptionally good and english is spoken by all the Hungarian staff - curiously they have Irish accents. The Guiness never runs out - or so they say! Address : V. Bajcsy-Zsilinszky út 72. Website
Gay Bars
Eklektika Cafe Nagymezö, utca 30, Budapest Telephone 36 1 266-1226. Popular Gay friendly bar (no cover charge) which put on DJ nights film nights and live Jazz nights see website for full details. Open every day from lunchtime till midnight.
Mystery Bar at V. Nagysándor József u. 3, Budapest Tel 36 1 312-1436. Reported to be Budapest's oldest gay bar. Open Mon to Friday from 4pm to 4am. Saturday / Sunday from 6pm - 4am. website Editorial Comment Can get busy as its small & popular with tourists.
