Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
The leading Hungarian folk band, Muzsikás, whose lead singer is the incomparable
Márta Sebestyén (they have toured the U.S., playing to great acclaim), hosts a táncház
every Thursday (Sept-May only) from 8pm to midnight (500 Ft/$2.50/£1.30) at the
Marczibányi Square Cultural House (Marczibányi tér M
ú
vel
ó
dési Ház),
II. Mar-
czibányi tér 5/a (
&
1/212-2820
). Take the Red line metro to Moszkva tér. If you're
in town during a Muzsikás performance, don't miss it. The
FMH Cultural House
(Szakszervezetek F
ó
városi M
ú
vel
ó
dési Ház),
XI. Fehérvári út 47 (
&
1/203-3868
),
hosts activities from various yoga genres, creative dance, Irish tap dancing, dance ther-
apy, and belly dancing to arts and craft clubs like painting, sewing, and basketwork.
Folk bands that perform on traditional instruments play every Thursday or Friday
evening, September through May, for 500 Ft ($2.50/£1.30). The evening kicks off
with a táncház hour at 7pm. Also at the FMH Cultural House,
csángó táncház,
the
oldest and most authentic type of traditional Hungarian folk dance, is danced Friday
or Saturday from 7 to 11pm, for 500 Ft ($2.50/£1.30). On the first Saturday of each
month, you can enjoy the best klezmer bands in town. Tram no. 47 from Deák tér
gets you to FMH Cultural House.
The founder of the Dance House movement in the early 1970s, Béla Halmos leads
the crazed Kalamajka (Ruckus) band and weekend dance houses in the
Downtown Cul-
tural House (Belvárosi Ifjúsági M
ú
el
ó
dési Ház),
V. Molnár u. 9 (
&
1/371-5928
).
Take the Blue metro to Ferenciek tere.
An important heritage-preserving center, the
Almássy Square Culture Center
(Almássy téri M
ú
vel
ó
dési Központ),
VII. Almássy tér 6 (
&
1/352-1572
), stages
some of the best folk-dance dance houses in a relaxed, easygoing atmosphere on its
multilevel complex. Traditional Hungarian dances, Transylvanian “moldova” dances,
Sirtos—Greek dances and native Brazilian dances are taught throughout weekdays.
For the specific monthly plan check out www.almassy.hu. Entrance fees vary, averag-
ing around 500 Ft to 1,000 Ft ($2.50-$5/£1.30-£2.60). A short walk from Blaha
Lujza tér (Blue line or tram no. 4 or 6) gets you to this folk center.
GAY & LESBIAN BARS
As with the capricious dance club scene, gay “in” bars become “out,” or even close
down, at a moment's notice. The gay bar scene in Budapest is largely male-oriented at
this point, though this is starting to change. For reliable and up-to-date information,
visit
www.budapestgaycity.net
or
http://budapest.gayguide.net
.
Angel
A nondescript basement establishment with a bar, a restaurant, and a huge
dance floor, Angel has been around for a while now and is here to stay. The clientele
is not exclusively gay, especially on Friday and Saturday nights, when Angel hosts its
now-famous transvestite show starting at 11:45pm. Saturday nights are men only.
Sunday is an “open day” (meaning straight folks are welcome). Open Thursday
through Sunday 10am to dawn.
VII. Szövetség u. 33.
&
1/351-6490.
Cover 800 Ft ($4/£2).
Metro: Blaha Lujza tér (Red line).
Árkádia
In the heart of downtown this small, intimate yet crammed bar is the per-
fect place to meet, dance, or get cozy with an attractive stranger, with a popular back-
room. Open daily 8pm to 5am.
V. Türr István u. 5. No phone. www.arkadiagaybar.hu. Metro:
Vörösmarty tér (Yellow line).
Capella
This trendy and fashionable bar is one of the most popular homosexual clubs
in the city, though we're not fans. The funky cabaret-style shows and extravagant
drag shows and the house-centered music draw a rather hectic mixture of homo- and
