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Budapest has rightly earned its reputation as one of Europe’s prime drinking destinations, so it’s no wonder thousands of stag parties descend on the city each year looking for a slice of the action. The Hungarian capital has even been named among the world’s top 10 stag destinations, thanks to its cheap booze and incredible range of bars.
With so much going on in this party paradise, it can be hard to know where to start, which is why the Maximise team has put together this extensive guide to Budapest’s nightlife. Including everything from the best watering holes to budgets, here’s all the intel you need for a legendary trip away with the lads.
It goes without saying that a stag do will be a messy, boozy affair, and Budapest is the perfect place for a raucous weekend with the boys. A city that never sleeps, we’d recommend finding time for a little siesta in the afternoon, as many bars, pubs, and clubs don’t open until about 6pm—though the fun carries on way into the early hours. Chances are, you won’t be clambering into bed until at least 6 in the morning after a night out.
It’s time to really get excited—Budapest is officially Europe’s cheapest city for a pint at a mere £1.40. For comparison, the average cost of a pint in London is £5.18, while a beer in Amsterdam will still set you back £3.88. Nights out in the Hungarian capital are very kind to your wallet, and most places will let you in for free too, though some clubs may charge a small entry fee of around £3-5.
Budapest is an easygoing city and most places have a casual dress code, and are welcoming of any groups in fancy dress. That said, a small number of places in the city will only let you in if you’re dressed a little smarter, including some of the more upmarket cocktail bars and nightclubs, so bear this in mind when getting ready for the night ahead.
While there are many awesome party areas in Budapest, a few districts cater to visitors more than others. Feel free to venture outside of these areas but make sure you check the following out first!
The old Jewish Quarter, where Kazinczy Street is located, is the hub of Budapest’s party scene. You’ll find a huge range of pubs, bars, and clubs along this lively lane, including Szimpla Kert, the city’s first-ever—and probably most famous—ruin bar. Make sure to look out for the festivals and street parties that regularly take place on Kazinczy Street too.
Located just off Kazinczy Street is a bustling compound of buildings and interlinked courtyards totally dedicated to nightlife and art. Stepping foot into Gozsdu Udvar is like arriving at a festival, and you’ll immediately find yourself surrounded by a range of trendy bistros, craft beer houses, and wine bars. While a little harsher on your wallet, the upbeat complex is certainly worth visiting for at least a drink or two.
Just off the Chain Bridge on the bank of the Danube River lies a whole host of hip pubs and clubs. With a slightly more relaxed vibe than the previous two districts, the Danube Bank gives you respite from the hectic inner-city boozers. Perhaps its biggest draw is the outdoor-only bars offering spectacular views of Chain Bridge, Castle Hill, and Matthias Church.
From epic nightclubs and iconic ruin bars, to thermal sparties and quaint pubs, Budapest’s nightlife has something for everyone.
You simply can’t come to Budapest without visiting Szimpla Kert, a former factory that’s been transformed into a sprawling megapub bursting with personality and charm. Among its features are sawn-off cars as chairs in the courtyard, walls decorated with bric-a-brac and graffiti, and exposed pipework throughout. Szimpla Kert is the ideal place for casual drinks and a night out, chilled-out pub by day and vibrant music venue come nightfall.
Situated in a gargantuan apartment building, and boasting eight separate bars, four dancefloors and a garden, Instant has more of a nightclub vibe, but can seem a little bit maze-like once you step inside. The ruin bar is particularly noted for its quirky animal-themed decorations, including a floating herd of bunnies, and a giant owl sculpture.
Anker’t is a large ruin bar situated in an almost 200-year-old residential building with a minimalist-industrial design, exposed brick walls and a huge beer garden that’s perfect for sinking a few beverages in. Come nightfall, it hosts some of the city’s hottest DJs, while various food markets and festivals are also held there throughout the year.
If you don’t fancy scrambling around the city scouting these unique Budapest fixtures yourselves, our Ruin Bars Pub Crawl will be right up your street. Leave the navigating to your English-speaking guide, who will take you to three of Budapest’s best stag do bars, show you around the city, and answer any questions you might have about the city.
Doboz—which literally translates to ”The Box”—is one of Budapest’s most mesmerising venues. The gigantic club has eight separate rooms, each playing different genres of music, including hip hop, RnB and funk. Like many Budapest venues, Doboz is packed with wacky design features, from a huge metal gorilla climbing a 300-year-old tree, to a giant red room for dancing.
Arguably the city’s most popular nightclub, Otkert opened its doors in 2010 and features three large rooms with DJs spinning tunes until 5am on Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays. Just a stone’s throw from St. Stephen’s Basilica and the Chain Bridge, the club plays everything from hip hop to minimal house, and also hosts outdoor summer parties where you can dance underneath the stars.
You read that right—Budapest’s Szechenyi Spa Baths really do turn into a raucous nighttime venue, giving you the opportunity to rave in the shadow of a stunning 20th-century Turkish bathhouse. Swimming and dancing the night away in a huge pool lit up by lasers and disco lights is truly an experience unique to Budapest. And with scantily clad women almost everywhere you look, this is the perfect stag do activity! Buy Budapest Spa Party tickets with Maximise today.
Skip the nightclub queues and party like celebrities with our Club Entry, VIP Table & Bottles activity. This gets you preferential treatment in some of Budapest’s best clubs, giving you and the boys an extravagant and hassle-free night.
Based in a sprawling post-industrial space that was formerly a glassworks factory, Élesztő, or “Yeast” is reminiscent of a ruin bar. But unlike other ruin bars, this is one for the beer connoisseurs, offering the city’s largest selection of draught Hungarian artisan ales, as well as some incredible beer cocktails. Élesztő is also the perfect place to grab a bite to eat, with top notch, cheap grub served until midnight between Monday and Wednesday, and 1am on Thursday, Friday and Saturday.
With a name which literally translates as “Only Good Beer”, Csak a jó sör is a cosy bar serving some of Budapest’s best lagers, ales and IPAs. With an incredible selection of over 400 bottles from around the world, you can spend hours sampling delicious beer from both local and international producers. Be sure to get there early, however, as Csak a jó sör is only open until 9pm.
Situated just off the Gozsdu Udvar courtyard is Léhűtő, which is run by craft beer enthusiast Kolos Kósa. You’ll find an extensive choice of beverages here—around 60 in total—most of which are locally-produced. The basement bar is the ideal place to head for a few casual beers to start your night.
A bar like no other, Pharma takes its science theme seriously and serves drinks in medicine bottles with periodic table posters adorning the walls. But don't let these gimmicks fool you—Bar Pharma makes some mean cocktails. Highlights include the Pumpkin Plum, a cinnamon-infused tipple made with local Hungarian pumpkin liquor, and the Millionaire cocktail, which pays homage to the Roaring Twenties classic.
Opened in 2008, Boutiq Bar has been credited with revolutionising Budapest’s thriving cocktail bar scene with its innovative approach to mixology. Each bartender must complete a rigorous training process before being allowed to serve drinks, and do so with plenty of showmanship. A more upmarket bar, you’ll get a choice between Boutiq’s own cocktails and more classic concoctions.
To enjoy spectacular views of the city as you down some fancy cocktails, be sure to head to High Note Skybar. Situated opposite the magnificent St. Stephen's Basilica, this is the perfect place to come on a warm summer’s day and bask in the sunshine with a drink. Serving their own signature blends, as well as delicious food, visiting High Note Skybar will make you and the lads feel like kings.
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