Hungary - Eastern Europe - page 346

international DJs attract a wide clientele of platform-heeled, underdressed girls and
Mafiosa-type sporty tomcats—a lavish meat market. Bouncers have a reputation of
being on the doggy side. Crowd: 20s and 30s. III. Harsány lejtó 6. No phone. www.homeclub.
hu. Cover: 2,000 Ft-3,000 Ft ($10-$15/£5.15-£7.70).Bus: 18.
Közgáz Cellar Beneath the massive Budapest University of Economic Science lies
this student-filled disco where dance floors are packed solid during weekends. Laid-
back atmosphere, supreme happy hours, and a cheerful karaoke and dance crowd, in
addition to groovy disco tunes on the main dance floor offer bundles of fun. Open
Tuesday through Saturday 9:30pm to 5am. Crowd: 20s and 30s. IX. Fóvám tér 8.
& 1/215-4359. Cover: 500 Ft ($2.50/£1.30) for men, free for women. Metro: Kálvin tér (Blue line) or
tram 2, 47, or 49 to Fóvám tér.
Kultiplex A bohemian two-story club, Kultiplex—an alternative cultural mul-
tiplex—was converted from the Blue Box cinema, although a small art-movie house
still operates within. Hosting the best local alternative beats, funky arty crowds rule
the place. The summer cafe in the back is a pleasant, wallet-friendly place to unwind.
Open daily 10am to 4:30am. Crowd: 20s and 30s. IX. Kinizsi u. 28. & 1/219-0706. Cover:
500 Ft-6,000 Ft ($2.50-$30/£1.30-£15). Metro: Ferenc körút (Blue line).
Living Room While couples socialize in the loungelike atmosphere during day-
time, this roomy classic disco-club becomes full with scores of dancers during week-
ends. Be careful of the all-you-can-drink university parties. Opening hours vary.
Crowd: 20s and 30s. IV. Kossuth Lajos u. 17. No phone. Cover: 500 Ft-2,000 Ft ($2.50-$10/£1.30-
£5.15). Metro: Astoria (Red line).
Old Man's Music Pub Old Man's offers the best jazz and blues in Hungary.
The Pege Quartet plays here, as does Hobo and his blues band. A very hip spot. Open
daily 3pm until the crowd leaves. Crowd: 30s and 40s. Akácfa u. 13. &

1/322-7645.

www.oldmans.hu. Metro: Blaha Luzja tér (Red line).
Piaf Named after the remarkably soulful French singer, Piaf is renowned for its
bohemian-like late-night, after-hours parties. Once inside the heavy iron door—
guarded by a feisty woman—you'll find yourself among seductive red velvet furnish-
ings in a distinct '80s Parisian-style bar. In the downstairs dance floor the spinning of
oldies can get pretty heated, and the crowds can be quite wild. Open daily 10pm to
6am. Crowd: varied. VI. Nagymezó u. 25. & 1/312-3823. Cover: 800 Ft ($4/£2). Metro: Oktogon or
Opera (Yellow line).
Süss Fel Nap Fittingly titled “Sunrise,” this newly expanded bar—a favorite
among university students during the weekend—rocks the dancing crowd until dawn
with punk and alternative music. Superb DJs and live bands provide the tunes. Open
daily 5pm until dawn. Crowd: 20s and 30s. V. Szent István körút 11. & 1/374-3329.
www.sussfelnap.hu. Cover: 500 Ft-2,000 Ft ($2.50-$10/£1.30-£5.15). Metro: Nyugati pu. (Blue line).
Trafó Bar Tango A cultural center for young, alternative artists, this club is housed
in an old electric power station that has been renovated. Trafó hosts the hippest selection
of alternative artists, from reggae to classic Indian music. The small dance floor and scant
bar area are supplemented by the relaxed, easygoing, loungelike chill-out area. Open
daily 6pm to 4am. Crowd: varied. IX. Liliom u. 41. & 1/215-1600. www.trafo.hu. Cover: 500
Ft-2,000 Ft ($2.50-$10 / £1.30-£5.15). Metro: Ferenc körút (Blue line) or tram 4 or 6 to Üllöi út.
Underground An oldie among clubs, Underground was initially built as an hom-
age to Bosnian-born Emir Kusturica's film of the same name. Today, after a series of