3 Best Bars in Budapest, Hungary

Background Illustration for Nightlife

Budapest is filled with söröz?s (beer bars), but the way to go is to head for one of the romkerts ("ruin gardens," which are housed in the courtyards of abandoned buildings). There you will meet a cross section of artists, professionals, students, and tourists enjoying a DJ or Hungarian microbrew. If wine is more your thing, don’t miss spending a few hours in a wine bar (more upscale than the divey borozós). Wine bars have lengthy wine lists comprising excellent Hungarian wines, and most servers speak reasonable enough English to recommend a wine and explain what you are getting.

Akvarium Klub

Parliament Fodor's Choice

Somewhere between a snazzy lounge and a culture-club dive music bar, Akvárium is one of the city’s most popular downtown venues. A top-notch lineup of international and Hungarian musical guests fills the program weekly. Recently renovated, the main hall features a state-of-the-art sound system and sound insulation that keeps audiences coming back and due to its location (under the square), there are no city volume restrictions imposed on its concerts. The glass ceiling in the main room is the bottom of the water fountain located on the neighborhood square above, creating a fantastic, surreal effect, with the help of multicolor lighting. A huge outdoor, open-air terrace sprawls out over the concrete steps leading down to the club---the perfect meetup point for pre-concert drinks or before a night on the town on clear summer nights. Free cultural events often take place here, too.

Budapest Jazz Club

Budapest’s top venue for live jazz music boasts a café and a restaurant in the front, some bar seating in-between, and a huge concert hall with over 150 seats in back. There are international stars on the bill as well as Hungary’s leading jazz musicians: Bea Palya, Dresch Quartet, Veronika Harcsa, and the Bálint Gyémánt Trio. Free entry Monday and Wednesday for open jam sessions at 10 pm.

Hollán Ernő utca 7, Budapest, 1136, Hungary
1-798--7289
Nightlife Details
Closed Sun. and Mon.

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Gödör

Parliament

The "pit" is as dark and dingy as its name suggests---a subterranean live music venue set below one of downtown's busiest streets. It plays host to counterculture acts, from blaring rock bands to late-night DJs, be it local or international artists. Check the website for the latest program, including the occasional dance and culture festival events.

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