In the center of Budapest at the Erszébet square you will find Gödör (the Pit), a very cool mix between underground music club, culture & exhibition-centre, and bar, where Hungarian and international bands and DJ:s (like Yonderboi) perform everything between etno-ambient-rap (you should have been there!) to jazz.
All the free concerts and activities draw crowds of very mixed style, young and old which creates a very friendly and open atmosphere. It is probably due to the different sections of the culture centre which makes it easy for almost everyone to feel comfortable. The different parts of Gödör Klub are:
the music scene with tables and chairs where you can sit and listen to the artists performing almost every night,
the bar and the dark cosy corner with games and other fun to “play” with your friends,
the exhibitions, mostly design, art, photography and architecture (often from university students). Just order a beer or drink in the bar and stroll around the exibition. Enjoy!
The nightlife and club-scene in Budapest is diverse and dynamic starting from traditional pubs and bars, secret courtyard parties and popular outdoor beer gardens to the coolest dance venues and the hottest stripclubs.
However the best (and safe) erotic nightclubs are not that easy to find. In Budapest, Hungary prostitution is legal and there are lots of bad porn and sexclubs owned by unscrupulous gangsters that systematically rip of tourists.
So if you do determine to take a bite of the forbidden fruit and visit a strip-club in Budapest be on the safe side and only visit erotic nightclubs that show the positive indications of a professional and safe nightclub (read the checklist below).
On this page we list the stripclubs in Budapest recommended by travel-guides and travel-agencies (2007). However, keep in mind that things can change very fast in this business so use your common sense and don’t take any chanceswhen visiting a stripclub in Budapest. The list below shows erotic stripclubs with a good reputation where they treat guests well.
Royal Palace Club At Royal Palace Club you can combine business with pleasure. This is a first-class club for businessmen’s needs. Located at Györi utca 16., XII. district. Close to MOM park. Web: http://royalpalaceclub.com/
E-Klubb An nightclub for the younger generation, with erotic dancers and shows. Very explicit and hedonistic! Plays mostly mainstream disco music. Located at Népligeti út 2. District X, (M3 Népliget station).
Web: http://www.e-klub.hu/
Kameleont club
A stylish erotic club with live music and colourful erotic programmes. Located at Lövöház utca 1-5, Mammut II. on the 4th floor. District II. Take metro 2 to Moszkva tér.
Web: http://www.kameleonmulato.hu/
Hello Bar
An elegant night club in the heart of the city. For businessmen and private groups. VII. Király u. 65., Budapest, Hungary.
Web: http://www.hallobar.hu/
4playlounge
A new nightclub with English and Canadian owners. 4Play Lounge offers all the luxurious trappings of a true Gentlemen’s Club, with a focus on first-class service.
Web: http://www.4playlounge.com/
How to avoid the bad stripclubs in Budapest
As in all major cities of the world there are bad places you should avoid. Budapest is no exception, there are erotic nightclubs in Budapest that systematically rip off tourists. These places take advantage of the fact that tourists seldom have time or means to do anything about it later on. Some tips on how to avoid bad erotic nightclubs:
do not visit any of the blacklisted erotic strip and nightclubs of Budapest (See list below)
do not take recommendation’s from taxi-drivers and people on the street
Always ask for the menu and prices before ordering anything at an erotic nightclub
don’t buy drinks for the girls (especially not knowing the price of their drinks)
make your own research on the net before visiting a stripclub, read what others think of it.
Blacklisted erotic nightclubs in Budapest
Strip-clubs in Budapest that got repeated complaints from tourists and blacklisted by the US government.
Mandarin bar & restaurant on ó utca in the center of the town (not far behind the Budapest State Opera) is another great example of the new, innovative and superb Hungarian cuisine. Their international and Hungarian dishes like “Rosemary duck in mandarin sauce with steamed cabbage” and “Fillet steak in brandy and pepper sauce with homemade croquettes” are among the best served in Budapest. The menu also offers descent Hungarian wines, good cocktails and drinks.
The restaurant itself is very stylish with a friendly atmosphere. It is probably among the smallest restaurants in Budapest (there are only 5-6 tables in the restaurant part, the bar facing the street have more space tough) but at Mandarin bar and restaurant size definitely doesn’t mather. The great food and atmosphere, low prices, good service and the short distance to other bars, lounges, cafes and nightclubs makes Mandarin an excellent choice for:
a nice (romantic) dinner,
dinner with friends or
as a starting point for a party night
Example from their menu:
Start with a green Salad with Smoked Salmon in a Creamy Horseradish Sauce, try the Chili-Honey Chicken and pita with Grilled Vegetables for main course and finish with the Chocolate Fondant.
Mandarin represents the new creative Hungarian cuisine at its best. Be sure not to miss this superb little restaurant in downtown Budapest.
Tel: +36 1 688 1696
Address: VI. district Budapest, Ó utca 24-26.
Price-range: 12-30 Euro
Web: http://www.mandarinbar.hu
Heroes’ Square (Hösök tere), at the end of Andrassy Avenue is one of Budapest most impressive sights built in 1896 for the world fair at the same year as the 1000 year jubilee of the settlement of the Hungarians. The square itself is a huge area flanked by the Budapest Museum of Fine Arts on the left and the Art Museum on the right.
The main attraction of Heroes Square is the Millennium Memorial, a semi circle made up of the leaders of the seven tribes (which later formed Hungary) and other important historic persons like:
Stephen I of Hungary
János Hunyadi
Matthias Corvinus of Hungary
Francis II Rákóczi
Lajos Kossuth
In the middle of the semi-circle stands the 36 meter tall statue of the Archangel Gabriel who according legend showed himself to St: Stephen, the first king of Hungary and instructed him to convert the people to Christianity and settle down in Hungary.
The Heroes Square is one of the top attractions and sights of Budapest well worth visiting. It is located on the border of the city nearby other attractions. For example behind the Heroes square you also find:
Budapest nightlife is exciting, diverse and dynamic. Simply great for tourists looking for a good time. The relatively short distances between the hot-spots of Budapest, low admission fees (4-5 Euro), cheap beer (1-2 Euro), alcohol and spirits (palinka), and the classic charm of Budapest makes it the perfect city for adventurous bar crawls and long party-nights on the town.
Best of all, however, is the wast and diverse selection of Budapest entertainment and nightlife. The different kind of entertainment (shows, party’s, musicals, performances, festivals, exhibitions, nightclubs, erotic strip-clubs) and different styles of the night-scene makes it easy for everyone to find a favorite place to enjoy. The nightlife of Budapest include:
chique bars,
classic cabarets
cafes & lounges,
dance-clubs,
jazz-clubs,
erotic strippclubs (avoid the blacklisted erotic nightclubs)
Some of the most popular nightclubs of Budapest are presented below:
A38
A redesigned Ukrainian stone-carrier now a popular culture-centre and dynamic night-scene of Budapest with interesting programs. A 38 har a stylish restaurant, a dance-floor and scene inside, bars on both levels and also on deck outside during summer. Located on the Budaside at the end of Petöfi bridge. District XI.
Gödör Klub
A crossing of culture centre, exhibition hall, music scene, bar and lounge. Gödör, the pit, is a very hip place in the heart of the city close to Deák ter at Erzsébet tér attracting a very mixed crowd, young and old. Live performances almost every night. District V.
Moulin Rouge
Have classic cabaret’s, shows and parties all night long with Hungarian girls dancing can-can and more. Usually open till 04.00 in the morning. They also have a cafe and restaurant during daytime. District VII. Akácfa u.13.
Rocktagon
A popular rock-club in downtown Budapest. Usually have concerts between 20.00-22.00 followed by dance and disco till dawn. Open wed-sun from 19.00 till dawn. district VI. Mozsár utca 9. Tram 4 or 6 to Oktogon.
Cotton Club
The concept is America during the 1920. Cotton Club have performances almost every night from 19.00-24.00. Mostly jazzmusic. They also serves Hungarian food. Located on Jókai utca 26 in Distrikt VI.
Piaf
A classic nightclub in Budapest with live piano music in a stylish atmosphere. Usually have a little more mature audience. Located on Nagymezö utca 25. District VI. also close to Oktogon. Open 22.00-06.00 every day.
