Budapest Nightlife Tips by dcwizard

Nightlife Spot: A38 Boat

A unique venue for a concert and/or night out is the A38 Boat, permanently moored at the foot of the Petofi Bridge on the Buda side. The A38 opened last year with a Maceo Parker concert, which was one of the highlights of last year's performance calendar. A refurbished Communist-era Slovak freighter, it is not only a sign-of-the-times, it is a fun, well-organized venue with a great variety of quality performances.

There is a main concert hall and bar, a smaller bar behind the performance stage, as well as a smaller non-smoking bar which is open on busy nights. There is also a restaurant, though I haven't had the opportunity to sample its cuisine. During the warmer months, you can also hang out on the two decks, both of which have bars and on some nights an additional DJ spins dance-friendly tunes.

I always have fun at the A38 boat, but during the winter months I've noticed much sparser crowds. But if there is an interesting performance on the schedule, or you are visiting Budapest during the warmer months, a night with friends at A38 boat is one you will not forget.

The legandary black rock group from the USA Living Colour, played a great concert here on March 29, 2004

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Theme: Nightclub
Dress Code: Come as you are!
Address: near the Petofi Hid (bridge) on the Buda side
Directions: You can take tram 4 or 6 to Petofi hid (bridge) stop, Buda side.
Website: www.a38.hu

Nightlife Spot: Trafo

For cutting edge performances and a cool place to hang out, I would suggest the Trafo. They have a regular program of contemprary dance, theater, and music performances on the main stage. They hold regular dance parties in the bar. There is also a gallery with comtemporary exhibitions usually on display. The café by the theater and the downstairs bar are both fun places to hang out. And during the warm months you can hang out in the outside bar as well. Some of the performances are not for the faint of heart or conventional (I recently saw quite a few people walk out of a modern theater performance by a British troupe.) But if you'd like to experience something fresh next time you go to a performance in Budapest, I would suggest Trafo. Make sure to call ahead and reserve tickets for performances, which run from 500-1500 forints.

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Theme: Theater
Dress Code: Anything goes...be comfortable.
Phone: +36 1 215 1600 (for tickets)
Address: 1094 Budapest, Liliom ut. 41
Directions: Near the Ferenc korut Metro on line #3 (blue). From Ulloi ut, take a right on Liliom and Trafo is on your left.
Website: www.trafo.hu

Nightlife Spot: Fat Mo's

If you're looking for a fun, laid-back, yet still hoppin' place to hear live music, Fat Mo's is a good choice. A favorite of tourists and locals alike, Fat Mo's is a typical Budapest cellar-type bar, but with good live acts (usually jazz and blues) almost every night. The bar staff is friendly, and if you have the munchies, there is a good selection on the menu. Good selection of beer on tap. You can usually find a few places at one of the bars, but if you're planning an evening there, call ahead and reserve a table.

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Theme: Live Music
Dress Code: Come as you are!
Phone: +36 1 267 31 99
Address: V. Nyary Pal u. 11
Directions: Just off of Vaci utca
Website: www.fatmo.hu