Bars and Pubs in Budapest

Just to Sit In - Budapest Bars and Pubs

There are several good pubs and bars in Budapest, Hungary. Most of the good places are on the Pest side of Budapest, which is flat, full of stores and a busy nightlife. So if you are a party goer or you wish to see a more vivid Budapest, we suggest looking for places on the Pest rather than the Buda side.

You can find a good place just to sit in for a drink and watch the world go by, or twitter on your pda, or read the daily news and chat to some local people or online avatars, or simply drink beer, etc. If you do not want to go dancing just want to sit in a pub, we suggest the very central Godor Club (see the pic on the right side), or the avantgarde Szimpla Kert or Szoda Pub, or the sporty John Bull Pub or the Champs Sports Club for sport fans.

Budapest Map: Pubs and Bars

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Best Beers - Budapest Bars and Pubs

If you want to find world class beers, really great beers in Budapest, you should head for the masters: the Belgian Brasserie Henri pub (on the Buda side as an exception) or Beckett's Irish Pub. There are further places to sit in for a drink and enjoy the vibrant night life of Budapest, but probably these are the top bars, to name but a few.

Dance and Drink - Budapest Bars and Pubs

You can find a good party place for concerts, drinks and dancing in Budapest. We would highlight the following pubs and clubs: Godor Club (super central), Old Man's Pub (always crowded), Green Pardon (concerts all summer, on the Buda side), A38 Ship (concerts, great restaurant - on the Buda side), Holdudvar (very atmospheric on Margaret Island - lots of fresh air, huge terrace, TV screens).

Sports events - Budapest Bars and Pubs

If you are a sports fan and want to sit in a pub where many sports events can be watched, we recommend three international sports pubs: John Bull Pub on the Pest side, or the Champs Sports Club on both sides of Budapest (see separately on the Budapest Bars Map).

Football (soccer) sports events can be watched in many other pubs, some of which have open-air terraces (Holdudvar immediately jumps to mind). Football love is especially true of Football World Championships! Temp tents and temp bars and pubs appear all over Budapest to cater for the common football cheers.

Avantgarde Pubs - Budapest Bars and Pubs

A popular segment of Budapest night life focuses on special local pubs and clubs with alternative - artistic interior design, local concerts, bike-friendly folks, etc. So this represents some of the 'real' Budapest night folklore, and should not be forgotten: amongst the most popular city center local pubs are the following: Potkulcs Club, Szimpla Garden, Szoda Club, Kuplung Club.

Beware the Smoke - Budapest Bars and Pubs

Most of Budapest bars and pubs are quite smokey, so party life for non-smokers is more recommended from spring to fall: there are really great pubs with terraces where you can enjoy yourself in summer time without being bothered by passive smoking. Read more about Budapest and smoking.

Night Clubs, Pubs to Avoid in Budapest

Please do not go to the following dangerous night clubs in Budapest - based on fellow travelers' reviews, these places can be difficult to get out of without being totally ripped and frightened.

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