Walking down Klauzál Street in downtown Pest, it’s impossible to miss the old building bathed in a familiar red glow – and after spotting it, the temptation to learn what’s inside becomes overwhelming. Doboz is not a newcomer in the jungle that is the District VII party scene, but if for some reason you haven’t visited here before, let us show you why it might be worth your while. Just a little teaser: there are lots of colors and LED lights behind the façade as well, and believe it or not, there’s even an octopus.
The venueLet’s start with the design, because there’s plenty of it. Leaving behind the red lights by the entrance, which make up the first of many LED installations that visitors come across while stepping inside, the next section is perhaps the most atmospheric one in the entire building: the inner courtyard. It’s a significant location, not only because it sets the mood of the whole venue (being a designated smoking area), but also because it’s home to one of the district’s most valuable treasures:
its oldest tree, a 318-year-old plant in the embrace of a huge iron gorilla. Below this oversized simian statue, we find four bars (only one of them is open on weekdays), a grill bar, two dance floors, and bathrooms all exuding varying vibes. One of our favorite features was the photo-covered wall by the women’s bathroom, displaying pictures that were taken inside the club. And let’s not forget about the gigantic octopus sprawled out above one of the bars. Still, taking all the attractions of Doboz into consideration, we’d say the most intriguing signature element of the interior is the big red box in the middle, inviting guests to step in and party the night away.The customer is kingIn 2011, experiencedowners took over the management of Doboz, which is very apparent in the overall attitude of the place. For them, the customer is king both in terms of entertainment and service. The bar offers premium drinks at a medium price range, and it’s essential that patrons receive what they pay for. Four centiliters of Ballantine’s cost 820 forints, while the same amount of Finlandia is priced at 880 forints. The drink selection includes Juhász and Vylyan wines, Cornus pálinka, and various beers like Corona and Miller, but Hungary’s own AranyÁszok is not frowned upon either – you can get a mug of it for only 450 forints.
By the owners’ admission, Doboz is a four-season premium ruin bar, a label that immediately piques our interest. We also want to know how one can stand out in a district where all you need to call yourself a ruin pub is a few shabby chests of drawers. The answer is quality, which is the engine of Doboz. There’s no VIP section or dress code with suits and ties; that’s not what the premium experience is about. What matters is that from Tuesday to Saturday all guests receive the same level of service and enjoy the same high standards regardless of mood, age, or attire.
Getting in – and everything that comes afterEven if there’s a queue, it takes no more than ten minutes to get inside, thanks to the new entrance area created in the spring of 2014 which has several ticket booths. The minimum age limit is 18; ladies can enter free of charge, whereas gents need to pay a 1,000-forint entrance fee (which on weekdays comes with 1,000 forints worth of drinks). If you feel like an early start, you can arrive at 5pm, and don’t be surprised if the thought of leaving doesn’t occur to you until 6 in the morning. Those who prefer conversation and clubbing should head to the room behind the box-shaped dance floor, where under the watchful eye of the mad dog, you can get comfortable while sipping on your whisky. What’s more, the chill room has a great view of the dance area, so you won’t lose sight of your partner, even if he or she temporarily prefers the company of the DJ. The brick-adorned podium is another one of the more quiet locations, where you can enjoy your Bloody Mary in peace.
Musically, Doboz has its own team of resident DJs: Revolution, Rusty, Nash, Portugal, Forest, and Soulja have been spinning the craziest dance beats for years. College students are the primary audience at the beginning of the week, with several university parties taking place here on Tuesdays and Wednesdays. Thursdays are R&B-themed days, while Fridays and Saturdays entice party crowds with two genres each on two dance floors. Chances are you’ll hear most of the biggest hip-hop, R&B, and funk hits during the night.The owners are serious about first-class entertainment, and the mission is to make everyone have a good time. Weekend party nights are usually full of unpredictable surprises, be it a tightrope performance on the famous tree, a mixer show behind the bar, or a saxophone solo from the DJ booth. And the list of special and unexpected events doesn’t stop there: after last year’s SIGMA gig, in the future Doboz will invite one star performer every season, and the good news is that you won’t have to reach deeper into your pocket to get in.
All in all, Doboz doesn’t aim to become the trendiest club in Budapest. It wants to continue being a good and reliable premium ruin pub with jam-packed raves, welcoming everyone and anyone from Tuesday to Saturday.
