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International Buda Stage
This theatre is a more recent arrival and further afield at the foot of the Buda Hills, with occasional performances - often comedies - in English.
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Jailhouse
This tiny venue with a friendly atmosphere has underground DJs and live music. It's an excellent place to part ways from the usual choice of venues. It hosts a lesbian night on the first Friday of the month.
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Janis Pub
Close to the university, this ever-popular pub is a shrine to the late, great Janis 'Pearl' Joplin and usually a stop for a quick one or two on the way to somewhere else. But some linger here for the choice of five imported beers on draught and the darts.
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Jazz Garden
This is a sophisticated venue with traditional, vocal and Latin jazz, and odd décor -a faux cellar 'garden' with street lamps and a night 'sky' bedecked with blinking stars. Book a table in the dining room; music starts here at .
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József Katona Theatre
The best-known theatre in Hungary, this place is supported mainly by the city of Budapest. Its studio theatre, Kamara, has among the best troupes in the country.
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Kalamajka Táncház
This gleaming cultural centre in the Northern Inner Town hosts the incomparable Kalamajka Táncház. The Kalamajka band play authentic folk music every Saturday evening to an appreciative dancing crowd that fill the floor till late in the night.
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Kaméleon
This throbbing club in the newer wing of Buda's massive Mammut shopping mall is a true 'chameleon', with a different party in swing every night of the week - from La Noche Cubana on Friday to live bands on Monday.
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Két Szerecsen
Not quite on the square (Liszt Ferenc tér) but close enough, the very relaxed 'Two Moors' serves both main meals and decent breakfasts, as well as coffee.
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Kisrabló
This pub is close to the university (and to many of Budapest's hostels), and is thus very popular with students; it's an attractive and well-run place.
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Kisstadion
This venue is smaller than the nearby Budapest Sportaréna and thus something of an elephants' graveyard (think, Rod Stewart) for international acts.
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Közgáz Pince Klub
With few frills and cheap covers at the Economics University, this is the pick-up venue of choice for many a student and there's plenty of dance room. Beware: the bouncers bite, and avoid Wednesday unless you like karaoke.
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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.
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Lánchíd Söröző
The 'Chain Bridge Pub', at the southern end of Fő utca, has a wonderful retro Magyar feel, with old movie posters and advertisements on the walls, and red-checked cloths on the tables. Friendly service too.
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Laser Theatre
At the Planetarium in Népliget, the Laser Theatre has a mixed bag of video (some 3D) concerts with laser and canned music featuring the likes of Madonna, Pink Floyd, Queen, Mike Oldfield, Vangelis and Enigma, and performances by Carmina Burana. Very low tech and old hat but fun in a retro kind of way.
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M4 Music Club
A particularly smoky place named after the illusory fourth metro line that still refuses to get dug or built or started, M4 has both live music (pop, rock, soul, funk) and DJs.
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Marczibányi Tér Cultural Centre
This cultural centre presents Hungarian, Moldavian and Slovakian dance and music every Wednesday.
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Merlin Theatre
This theatre in the heart of Pest stages numerous plays in English, often performed by the theatre's own Atlantis Company or the local Madhouse troupe. It's usually pretty serious stuff, with little scenery and few props.
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Mokka Cuka
On the island that attracts the capital's beautiful people, Mokka Cuka is a leading outdoor underground venue showcasing great indie DJs.
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Mozaik Teaház
An eclectic - note the mosaic of a satyr outside - rarity among Budapest teahouses: non-New Age music played and smoking permitted.
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Mu Színház
Virtually everyone involved in Hungarian dance got their start at this place in south Buda, where the cutting edge of modern dance can still be enjoyed.
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Művész
Almost opposite the State Opera House, the 'Artist' is a more interesting place to people-watch than most cafés (especially from the terrace), though its cakes are not what they used to be, with the exception of the almás torta (apple cake). It's been here since 1898.
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Mystery Bar
This miniscule gay neighbourhood bar with draped muslin and Greek statuary also moonlights as an Internet café and is just the ticket for boyz who want to log on and get off.
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National Dance Theatre
The National Dance Theatre on Castle Hill hosts at some point every troupe in the city, including the two balletcompanies and the Honvéd Ensemble - one of the city's best folk troupes and now experimenting with modern choreography as well.
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Negro
This stylish café just behind the basilica (views!) attracts Budapest's über-trendy crowd, dressed to the nines and sipping the latest concoction. Great breakfasts.
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Óbuda Society
This very intimate venue surrounded by appalling Óbuda housing estates takes its music very seriously and hosts recitals and some chamber orchestras.
