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Many guide books on Budapest give the impression
that, before the political changes of 1989, there was little in the way of nightlife. Although it's
fair to say that back then most venues (especially those in university halls) were a throw back to
the days of cheesy 70s disco, glitter balls and alarmingly wide trousers, locals have always found
places in which to party until the early hours.
Of the more 'sophisticated' western style clubs which have sprung up since
then, many come with burly bouncers, expensive beer and journeymen DJs. That said, it's still easy
to find a lively salsa bar or enjoy the laid back atmosphere of a Budapest jazz club.
As well as our listings for nightclubs and casinos below, further details
about nightlife in the city can be found in the Budapest Sun or Budapest 'In Your Pocket' Guide.
A38 Ship (A38 Hajo)
XI. Pázmány Péter sétány (at the
Buda side of Petőfi Bridge), Tel: 464 3940, Website: www.a38.hu,
Open: 11am-midnight Mon-Sat. When club nights are advertised in advance 4pm-4am.
We're fine with party boats just so long as they stayed moored all night (essential after
a few shots of Unicum). Luckily, the A38 does just that, being an old stone-carrying ship
in its previous incarnation. Having been dragged all the way from the Ukraine, its new owners set about giving
it a full refit before opening for business in 2003. The A-38 attracts big name DJs from across Europe, with the
fun and games spread over three floors (incorporating a restaurant, roof terrace, lounge
and club). Those in the know rate it highly.
Ba Bar Lounge Café
VII. Huszár utca 7, Tel: 06-20-919-7979, Website: www.babar.hu,
Open: Sun-Thu 11.30am-2am, Fri-Sat 1130am-4am, Metro: Keleti
pu.
Located just a short walk away from Keleti railway/metro station, the Ba Bar Lounge is an
modern, attractively decorated bar cum restaurant, with small dance-floor attached. In
keeping with its upscale aspirations, service and attention to detail are both good, while
the comfy chill out areas and tasteful music are a far cry from some of Budapest's dodgier
venues. Nice.
VI. Váci utca 1, Tel: 302 4751, E-mail: bahnhof@bahnhofmusic.hu, Open: 9pm-4am Wed-Sat, Metro: M3 Nyugati pu, Tram 4, 6
With a catchy name and some talented resident DJs (for Budapest at any rate), Bahnhof is one of the
better clubs in Budapest. At weekends both dance floors are packed solid. Quite how they attract so
many good looking Hungarians into a single place at any one time is beyond us. Chances of
pulling=100%.
Club Colosseum
XV. Késmárk utca 32, Tel: 06209 213 845, Website:
www.colosseum.hu, E-mail: club@colosseum.hu, Open: Sat 9pm-5am (with extra parties some
Fridays), Bus 77 and 177
If you hanker for a night out in Budapest's 15th District, then this sport/dance club combo may
just be for you! There's a sort of archetypal 70s throwback feel to the place, with techno-house
and dance hits blasting away until the early hours. Oh, and one of the chaps spinning those steel
wheels is called DJ Dive...
X. Népligeti
út 2. Tel: 263 1614, Website: www.e-klub.hu, E-mail: office@e-klub.hu, Open: Fri
9pm-5am, Sat 10pm-5am, Metro: M3 Népliget
Located next to the Planetarium in the Népliget, E-Klub is as hedonistic as they come (in a not too subtle way either). And,
with the likes of Ganxsta Zolee playing here - he's famous in Hungary - you know this place is
popular. Strictly over 18s - and that's just for those visiting their website!!
Fat Mo's Music Club
V. Nyári Pál u. 11. Tel: 267 3199, Fax: 328 0706, Website: www.fatmo.hu, Open: Mon/Tue noon- 2am, Wed
noon–3am, Thu/Fri noon–4am, Sat 6pm–4am, Sun 6pm–2am, Metro: M3 Kálvin tér/M3 Ferenciek
tere
A music venue, bar and restaurant rolled into one, Fat Mo's is included here (rather than on our
bar/pub pages) as the club stages regular DJ sets, along with jazz, soul and blues nights.
Seemingly around forever, the club has still managed to retain its popularity, both with locals
and expats alike.
Kaméleon Club
II. Lövőház u 1-5, Tel: 345 8358, Fax: 345 8547, Website: www.kameleonmulato.hu, E-mail: reservation@kameleonmulato.hu, Tram 4, 6 to
Széna tér,
Looking a bit TOO much like Tony Montana's boudoir, the Kaméleon Club is actually located on
the 4th floor of the Mammut II shopping mall. Lots of Latin nights (making us even more certain he
chose the furnishings) while there's a pleasant enough restaurant and bar area. Proclaims itself a
techno/trance free zone!
VI. Nagymező utca 25, Tel: 312 3823, Open: 10pm-6am daily, Metro: M1 Oktogon
Anyone with vaguely Bohemian leanings seems to wind up at Piaf, a stylish and sophisticated
night-club, named of course, after the famous French Diva. Red velvet furnishings abound, while the
music upstairs (which is often provided by a resident pianist) has a distinctly jazzy feel.
The basement bar is an altogether different proposition though, with all sorts of weird
and wonderful characters cutting shapes on Piaf's lively dance-floor.
School Club (Közgáz Pinceklub)
IX. Fővám tér 8, Tel: 215 4359, Website: www.schoolclub.hu, Open: Mon-Sat 8pm-5am,
Metro: M3 Kálvin tér, Tram 2, 47, 49,
Student disco located in the bowels of the city's Economics University. Disco oriented grooves and
a weekly karaoke are supplemented by cheap beer and no-nonsense food. Bouncers have a reputation
for being real bruisers, so keep out of trouble!
Süss Fel Nap
V. Honvéd utca 40, Tel: 302 3799, Website: www.sussfelnap.hu, Open: 5pm-3am daily, Metro:
M3 Nyugati pu, Tram 4, 6
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.
Casinos in Budapest
If you prefer to gamble, rather than dance the night away, Budapest has over
a dozen casinos, most of which are sited in the luxury hotels along the Dunakórzo. Formal
dress is often a prerequisite for entry (as is a sizeable wallet). All accept hard currency only
(usually US dollars, sterling or Euro).
Casino Budapest Hilton
I. Hess András tér 1-3, Tel: 375 1001, Open: 7pm-2am daily, Free
Entry, Metro: M2 Moszkva tér then Várbusz
Slots plus Blackjack, Caribbean Stud Poker, English Roulette, French Roulette, Red Dog and Video
Poker. See Hilton Hotel.
Las Vegas Casino
V. Roosevelt tér 2, Tel: 266 2082, Open 2pm-5am daily, Free Entry,
Metro: M1 Vörösmarty tér
Slots plus American Roulette, Blackjack, Craps and Poker. See Hyatt Regency Hotel
V. Vígadó u. 2, Tel: 266 3062, Website: www.tropicanacasino.hu, Open 2pm-5pm
daily, Free Entry for Hilton guests, reduced entry for Budapest Card holders, Metro: M1 Vörösmarty tér
Popular casino just off Váci utca which is easily recognizable thanks to a bright neon
entrance (see left). And, even if you don't plan on gambling away a fortune, the Tropicana can
provide a few hours entertainment without emptying your wallet. Slots plus American Roulette, Black
Jack, Caribbean Draw Poker/Stud Poker and Punto Banco.
Várkert Casino
I. Ybl Miklós tér 9, Tel: 202 4244, Open: 2pm-5am daily, Free
Entry, Website: www.varkert.com, Tram 19, Bus
86/116,
The nicest of Budapest's casinos, the building was designed by Miklós Ybl - the architect
responsible for the city's State Opera House. Slots plus American Roulette, Black Jack, Craps,
Punto Banco and Stud Poker.
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