Pálinka is an important staple of Budapest nightlife, but it can be difficult to find bars dedicated exclusively to this cherished Hungarian fruit-based spirit. With the recent opening of 5 cl, located on the main thoroughfare of Budapest’s party district, the pálinka-bar selection has thankfully become a little bigger, much to the delight of shot enthusiasts all over the Hungarian capital. The aim is to promote this fiery local brandy in a revolutionary way among tasteful tipplers from Hungary and abroad.

Having opened just a few weeks ago, 5 cl is the latest addition to the varied watering holes lining Budapest’s ever-bustling Kazinczy Street. Located close to Rákóczi Road, the bar is on a mission to boost the popularity of refined pálinka drinking with around 50 high-quality, carefully selected products, and a brand-new system of tasting packages for a more diverse experience. As an added bonus, Hungarian gastronomy also features quite significantly in the assortment.

This cozy shot bar is not necessarily a place to spend the whole night out on the town (although that’s absolutely possible); it’s more suitable for dropping by after work or before a party to warm up with a few swigs of premium pálinka or a complete tasting package, served on a uniquely designed chopping board with space for five 1-centiliter shot glasses and some Hungarian tapas, namely small slices of bread with mangalica cream, eggplant cream, sausage cream, and lecsó, a traditional Hungarian paprika-and-tomato stew.

Naturally, the pálinkas in each set have been chosen to harmonize perfectly with each other, and if you need more than the delicious brandies to drive the message home, all you have to do is take a glance at the fruit-shaped lamps above the counter. Some of the packages currently available are the “Hungarikum” (1,150 HUF, apple/Beszterce plum/apricot/kosher pear/quince), the “Alapok” (meaning “Basics” in Hungarian, 950 HUF, apple and raspberry/apricot/pear/Irsai Olivér grape/sour cherry), and the “Hardcore” (1,800 HUF, plum/Williams pear/cserszegi fűszeres grape/Gypsy sour cherry/apricot).

The team of 5 cl is not new to the hospitality industry; they’ve operated a highly successful restaurant on the Pest riverfront for awhile, which actually serves as the basis of the cuisine on Kazinczy Street. In addition to the funky chopping boards, the serving system is another innovation, with patrons being free to order as little as 1 centiliter of any item on the drinks menu. This way, they can truly appreciate the different flavors without being afraid of getting too intoxicated to appreciate each pálinka’s essence.

While the bar is still under development, 5 cl is very much open for business. The selection will no doubt be expanded in the future, and a small terrace is also in the works for the summertime, where we expect to be sitting and sipping soon after the warm weather returns.