Night life

 

Bahnhof Music Club

VI. Váci utca 1, 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%.

 

Catedral Café

V  . Váci u. 33, Open daily: 8am-1am, Metro: M3 Ferenciek tere
Café, restaurant and live music venue all rolled into one. Shows usually kick off at 7pm, while Catedral also hosts occasional DJ slots. Downtown location is a boon.

 

Club Colosseum

XV. Késmárk utca 32,  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...

 

Club 11 Music Pub

XI. Tétényi út 63. (Kelenföld Városközpont emelet), I Bus 173
If the idea of boozed up Hungarians doing Zámbó Jimmy karaoke numbers doesn't scare you (for those who don't know, he was a rather unfortunate, facially challenged, gravel voiced pop star who accidentally shot himself dead) then some of the 'old school' Magyar pop almost certainly will! DJs Soviet, Sleep and Eddie handle the grooves (yep, we're not joking) while there's a fair share of good looking, friendly locals in tow. Sort of cool, in a strange way!

 

Club Fantasy

XIII. Pozsonyi út 4, Metro: M3 Nyugati pu
Okay, so first off we thought Club Fantasy was probably a seedy strip-joint. But as with many Budapest nightspots you never can tell! Admittedly, the inspired use of mesh/chicken wire around the bar is not to everyone's taste (nor much of a fantasy really) but the clientele is a straightforward mix of bright young things who seem harmless enough. Tuborg/Guinness on tap (and a full restaurant menu) while the  club also offers regular DJ sets and live music.

 

E-Klub

X. Népligeti út 2, 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.

 

Fat Mo's Music Club

V. Nyári Pál u. 11, 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, 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! 

 

Közgáz Pinceclub

IX. Fővám tér 8, Tel: 215 4359, 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!

 

Piaf

VI. Nagymező utca 25, 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 (which is often provided by a resident pianist) has a distinctly jazzy feel. Especially good though if you plan to impress female company.

 

Süss Fel Nap

V. Honvéd utca 40, 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.

 

Trocadero

V. Szent István körút 15, Open 9pm-3am Mon-Thu, 9pm-5am Fri/Sat, Metro: M3 Nyugati pu, Tram 4, 6, 
Latin beats until the early hours at this centrally located club near to Margit híd. Salsa and merengue combine with a lively weekend atmosphere to make a likeable and wholly non-pretentious venue. Good fun.

 

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, 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.

 

Las Vegas Casino

V. Roosevelt tér 2, Open 2pm-5am daily, Free Entry, Metro: M1 Vörösmarty tér
Slots plus American Roulette, Blackjack, Craps and Poker.

 

Várkert Casino

I. Ybl Miklós tér 9, Open: 2pm-5am daily, Free Entry, 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.