Budapest has a very good reputation for having an exciting nightlife. There are jazz bars, sports bars, wine bars, rooftop bars, nightclubs and the world renowned Ruin Pubs. This city is a very popular destination for many stag dos, hen parties and travellers.
Bars are all over the city of Budapest but the most popular nightlife area is Elizabethtown. It’s the 7th District and also known as the Jewish Quarter. It’s the place to be as there are trendy bars, pubs, nightclubs and Ruin Pubs.
Ruin pubs are what make Budapest’s nightlife unique. The abandoned buildings in Budapest were converted into creative and stylish pubs called Ruin Pubs.
In the Jewish quarter you will find plenty of Ruin Pubs to enjoy. These places are very stylish and hip. You will find many tourist and locals in these pubs. Szimplakert was the very first Ruin Pub so this place is a must to visit. There is a courtyard here and many rooms to explore, each of these rooms have a different theme.
Instant is another Ruin Pub to check out. Instant has 26 rooms, 7 bars, 2 gardens and 7 stages. When in Budapest you have to go to the Ruin Pubs. There are plenty of Ruin Pubs to visit in the 7th District.
Day or night these places have a great atmosphere and are the place to be. Other recommended Ruin Pubs to visit include Doboz, Corvinteto (has a roof terrace) and Fogashaz, Red Ruin Bar and Kuplung.
To experience the nightlife in Budapest you can go anytime of the year. Weekends are the busiest time of the week and the nightlife gets going at 11pm. There are festivals and events throughout the year. August is a busy month in Budapest as it has the Sziget Festival.
This festival is on an island called Hajogyari or sometimes know as Obuda. When this festival isn’t on you can still head to this island in the day and night. There are bars and clubs on Hajogyari island and also its neighbouring island, Margaret Island.
If you’re after a party, then go to a bath party! The famous outdoor thermal spa baths in Budapest were built by the romans but at the weekend these baths are turned into bath parties! At the parties there are DJs, light shows and laser shows.
The recommended bath parties to check out are Szechenyi Baths for the summer months and Lukacs Baths for the winter months. These baths are warm so don’t worry about partying here in the colder months.
Another party to attend is a party cruise. The boat parties in Budapest travel down the famous Dunube River. There is a onboard bar and DJ. The atmosphere is electric.
Party boats are available all year around but it’s most popular in the summer months. There are a few party boats to choose from. Some of them take you to a club after your party cruise.
Nightclubs and Bars
In Budapest you will find that the drink prices are cheap in the bars, pubs and nightclubs. There are some very good nightclubs in Budapest. Dress code in the majority of nightclubs and bars is quite relaxed, however it’s ideal to wear shoes and look smart.
One great nightclub to check out is Club Studio. It can hold over 8,000 people and it’s an incredible place to party. It’s definitely worth a visit.
Club A38 is a special place to go to. This club is a cargo ship and is located on the Dunube River. This has everything to make you enjoy your night. It has many bars, a dance floor, a roof terrace and even a restaurant.
Peaches & Cream has a fantastic party atmosphere. They have luxury VIP lounges and an incredible dance floor to party all night long on.
Another recommended nightclub is Hello Baby. This club is in an amazing 19th century building and is very striking. There are five bars and two dance floors to keep you entertained for many hours.
There are plenty of other great clubs to consider, they are Otkert, Kraft Club, Morrison’s 2, Akvarium Klub and Club Play.
In the warmer months of the year (May to September) the outdoor nightclubs are available to party in. Two outdoor nightclubs to try out are Romkert and Liget Club.
Before you go to the great nightclubs of Budapest you might want to go to a few bars. Here are some recommended bars to visit. MINI Bar, Warmup Bar (have great cocktails), Budapest Jazz Club, Icebar and Corin Club.
For a great view of the city you need to have a drink or two at a roof bar and there are two recommended ones to visit: Sky Terrace and 360 Bar are worth a visit in the day or at night.
Things to Do
Budapest is such a fantastic city, you will never get bored. There is plenty to do and see. Great sights to see include Chain Bridge, Buda Castle, Fisherman’s Bastion, the Parliament building, St Stephen’s Basilicas and many more stunning landmarks.
When you have finished with the sightseeing, you may want to do an activity. Some fantastic activities to do are visit a shooting range, go karting, wine tasting, paintballing, laser tag, go on a river cruise, hire a beer bike and go to the thermal baths. There are many thermal baths in Budapest and you should definitely visit one before you go.
Useful Information
Airport name: Budapest Ferenc Liszt International Airport
Transfer time to Budapest City Centre: 30 minutes