Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
An important venue of the world of contemporary performing arts in Budapest is
the
MU Theatre,
XI. Körösy József u. 17 (
&
1/209-4014;
www.mu.hu). This thea-
ter is becoming increasingly dynamic, with many young dancers and choreographers
starting off their careers in this experimental, cozy environment. The box office is
open Monday through Thursday 5pm until the beginning of the performance, and
Friday through Sunday an hour before the start of the performance. Tickets cost 800
Ft to 1,500 Ft ($3.80-$7.20/£2-£3.85). Take bus no. 86 or tram no. 4 to Moricz
Zsigmond körtér.
THE CLUB SCENE
Buzzing day and night, Budapest bars are present in cacophony of styles and music.
Due to their constantly changing events, you'd be wise to check out
Pesti Est
—the
largest free weekly program magazine listing all events from movies, theater offerings,
and classical ballet performances to daily nightlife activities. Newcomers
Flyerz
and
Exit
also offer a less complete yet well-edited selection of events. English-language
publications
Budapest Sun
(www.budapestsun.com) and
Budapest Times
(www.
budapesttimes.hu) also list highlights. In order to help define the different categories
of nightlife, we have tried to define an “average-age” guideline for the venues. Open-
ing hours vary, but most clubs start dancing around 11pm and stay lively until clos-
ing time.
A38 Boat
A former Ukrainian stone-carrying ship anchored at the Buda-side
foot of the Pet
ó
fi Bridge. As soon as it appeared on the Danube, it struck a chord with
the local youth, competing for the title of “hippest disco in town.” Since its opening in
2003 it lost some of its allure, however. Taking place on the lower deck, feet-thumping
crowds enjoy the city's best mainstream and alternative, underground live shows. The
terrace is open only in the summer while the concert hall downstairs is open year-
round. Open daily 11am to 4am, with crowds generally in their 20s and 30s.
XI.
Pázmány Péter sétány.
&
1/464-3940.
www.a38.hu. Cover: mostly free, concerts 1,000 Ft-6,000 Ft
($5-$30/£2.60-£15). Tram: 4 or 6 to the Buda side of Petófi bridge.
Chachacha Underground Café
A retro-funky world beneath the ground, this
cafe/club was built in the metro underpass of Kalvin Square; it's a glass-covered human
boutique. The casino-bar lounge is decorated with zebra-striped couches and arm-
chairs, with an oddly painted ceiling. Late night, this turns into an insane dance arena,
with the drunken crowds overflowing into the underpass. The music typically brings
back the hits of the '70s and '80s while also spinning some spaced-out tracks. Visit the
bar's classy summer location on Margaret Island. Open daily 11am to 5am. Crowd:
30s.
Metro underpass, Kalvin Sq. No phone. www.chachacha.hu. Metro: Kálvin tér (Blue line).
Fat Mo's Music Club
This divey supper club is always crowded. Live jazz
concerts start at 9pm and dancing starts at 11pm. The best night is definitely Mon-
day, with the Hot Jazz Band performing in the style of the '20s and '30s. Make sure
to book a table if you wish to enjoy the club's superb food, including the best suc-
culent American-style steaks in town. Open Monday through Wednesday noon to
2am, Thursday and Friday noon to 4am, Saturday 6pm to 4am, and Sunday 6pm
to 2am. Crowd: 30s.
V. Nyári Pál u. 11.
&
1/267-3199.
Metro: Kálvin tér (Blue line).
Home
Posh trance-dance fanatics line up at this massive 2,000-sq.-m (22,000-
sq.-ft.) dance hall, located in the hills of Óbuda, for some of the city's best electronic
music. The expensive bar, solarium-tanned go-go dancers, and renowned local and
