Bar entertainment in Budapest
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Captain Cook Pub
There’s not much to say about the CC except that it enjoys an enviable location diagonally opposite the basilica, the terrace is a delight in the warm weather, there are four beers on tap and the staff are welcoming and friendly. And for us, that’s sufficient.
reviewed
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Instant
Love, love, love this new ‘rubble bar’ on Pest’s most vibrant nightlife strip and so do all our friends. It’s got four bars on two levels with bopping, relaxing and chilling. If you want a taste of things to come and can’t wait till lunchtime, head for the ground-floor coffee shop (open from 8am to 10pm).
reviewed
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Mumus
Everyone’s favourite chilled romkocsma, the ‘bogeyman’ transforms from a cavernous vaulted beer hall in the cooler months to a wonderful outdoor kert in summer, with its own tree (real), stars (fake) and old oil drums masquerading as tables.
reviewed
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Coxx Men’s Bar
Probably the cruisiest game in town, this boldly named mee(a)t rack has a long brick-lined cellar bar and some significant play areas in back. You might soon find yourself ‘behind bars’ in more ways than one.
reviewed
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Vittula
Great (though tiny and very smoky) underground (both senses) bar just off the Big Ring Road, with international performances, cutting-edge DJs and some cheap Slovakian lager.
reviewed
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Darshan Udvar
This cavernous complex with bar, restaurant and vegetarian cafe has decor that combines Eastern flair with a hippy vibe. It’s an easy escape from the bars of VI Liszt Ferenc tér and the dull sophistication of IX Ráday utca, though VIII Krúdy utca has yet to take over as Budapest’s next after-hours strip. There are pizzas (1090Ft to 1390Ft) and pasta dishes (990Ft to 1190Ft) as well as more substantial mains (1290Ft to 2550Ft) to accompany the liquid offerings.
reviewed
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Janis Pub
Close to the university, this ever-popular pub is a shrine to the late, great singer Janis ‘Pearl’ Joplin, which, according to the pub’s publicity blurb, ‘makes the traditional ‘Irish pub’ spirit unique’ (we don’t get it either). But it’s always a good place to stop for a quick one or two on the way to somewhere else.
reviewed
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Terv Eszpresszó
‘Plan’ (as in ‘Five-Year’) is a retro-style cafe-bar on two levels decorated with photographs of Hungarian athletes, politicians, actors and so on from the 1950s and ‘60s. Unlike a lot of such places, the theme doesn’t get old in a half-hour and it’s a useful place for a quick beer or coffee on the way down to Váci utca.
reviewed
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Champs Sport Bar
Established by five Olympic medallists (swimmer, runner, pentathlon, kayaker and racer), Champs is the place for sports fans and the vicarious, with two giant screens and 35 TVs. There’s a wide choice of low-fat ‘fitness meals’ along with the less healthy favourites of armchair athletes. There’s also a Buda branch, which keeps the same hours.
reviewed
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Oscar American Bar
The decor is cinema inspired – film memorabilia on the wood-panelled walls, leather directors chairs – and the beautiful crowd often act like they’re on camera. Not to worry, the potent cocktails – from daiquiris and cosmopolitans to mojitos – go down a treat. There’s music most nights.
reviewed
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Box Utca
This swish new sports bar and restaurant (think ‘ring’ not ‘gift’ when you say ‘box’ – it’s owned by local pugilist István ‘Ko-Ko’ Kovács) has screens aplenty for all events and a lovely street-side terrace open in the warmer months.
reviewed
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Fehér Gyűrű
The ‘White Ring’ has always been a firm favourite and, frankly, it’s never been clear why. Perhaps it’s because it is opposite the so-called White House and it’s always fun to play ‘spot the MP’. More likely it’s because there are so few pubs in this area.
reviewed
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Pótkulcs
The ‘Spare Key’ is a wonderful little drinking venue, with a varied menu of live music from 9.30pm most nights, táncház (dance house) at 8pm every Tuesday and an astrology night on Monday. The small central courtyard is a wonderful place to chill out in summer.
reviewed
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Becketts Irish Bar
Of the capital’s ubiquitous ‘Irish’ pubs, this is arguably the best (and definitely the largest) of the lot, with all-day breakfasts (2500Ft) as well as sandwiches (950Ft), pizzas (1750Ft to 1950Ft) and salads (1900Ft). The cocktail bar in the rear is an additional plus.
reviewed
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Le Cafe M Bar
Our favourite (err, actually, just about the only) neighbourhood gay bar in Budapest has super-cool decor (bye bye draped muslin and Greek statues), friendly staff and internet access for 300/500Ft per half-/full hour for a little cruising while you’re cruising.
reviewed
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Rolling Rock Café
Should you find yourself near Buda’s Feneketlen-tó (Bottomless Lake) and would like a drink or three, you could do worse than this place: a revamped pub where the local young bloods gather for libations, Tex-Mex grub and (more often than not) live music.
reviewed
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Erzsébet-híd Eszpresszó
If you're in the mood for a relaxing drink in simple surrounds, the 'Elizabeth Bridge Espresso Bar' is a wonderful old dive with a large terrace that has views of the bridge. Most locals call it Platán in honour of the big plane tree sheltering the outdoor tables.
reviewed
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Paris Texas
One of the original bars on the IX Ráday utca nightlife strip, this place has a coffee-house feel to it with old sepia-tinted photos on the walls and pool tables downstairs. Nurse a cocktail from the huge list and order a pizza from Pink Cadillac next door.
reviewed
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Champs Sport Bar (Buda Branch)
Established by five Olympic medallists (swimmer, runner, pentathlon, kayaker and racer), Champs is the place for sports fans. There’s a wide choice of low-fat ‘fitness meals’ along with the less healthy favourites of armchair athletes.
reviewed
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Birdland
This new venue at the southern end of Liszt Ferenc tér is surprisingly bereft of jazz despite its name. It is, however, the ideal spot to catch strains from musicians practising music at the academy just opposite. The food gets good reports.
reviewed
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Lánchíd Söröző
The ‘Chain Bridge Pub’, at the southern end of Fő utca, has a wonderful retro Magyar feel to it, with old movie posters and advertisements on the walls and red-checked cloths on the tables. Friendly service too.
reviewed
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Kiadó Kocsma
The ‘Pub for Rent’ is a great place for a swift pint and a quick bite (salads and pasta dishes, 1000Ft to 1500Ft) a stone’s throw – and light years – away from flashy VI Liszt Ferenc tér.
reviewed
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Action Bár
Action is where to head if you want just that (though there’s a strip show at midnight and an extra one at 2am on Friday, which may distract). Take the usual precautions and don’t forget to write home.
reviewed
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Poco Loco
At the corner of Harcsa utca and Frankel Leó út on the way to Óbuda, this one-time seamy place has cleaned up its act but still remains interesting. It doubles as a restaurant too. There’s wi-fi throughout.
reviewed
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Kultiplex
This huge complex has something for everyone -performance space, cinema, grill restaurant, great DJs, theme parties - and a simple inside/outside bar, where you can enjoy an unreconstructed drink.
reviewed
