Many of Budapest’s hangouts change hands and profiles more than once in their history, and not only restaurants, but also clubs and bars fall prey to natural selection. A place’s survival depends on several factors, but if a locale fills a niche in the market by being unique in some aspect, while the owners enjoy and at the same time understand what they do; that’s already half the battle. Table dancing is an age-old phenomenon – most men like to ogle pretty women, which for many doesn’t just mean stealing a few glances during a stroll in the city, but they long for something more. They want to be at a place, where indulging the eyes is absolutely accepted, with no expectations to meet after a hard day at work. It’s a concealed world of illusions that fulfills wilder desires without crossing the line.
Earlier in her life, the owner of Marilyn club, Katalin, wanted to become a flight attendant at Malév Hungarian Airlines, then eventually worked at the airport for a short period of time, followed by jobs in the hospitality industry. She was a bartender at Rózsaszín Cicák strip club (“Pink Cats” in English), and later at Pigalle – the latter was known citywide for its infamous parties. Welcoming a variety of foreign customers, Katalin once talked about international trends with one of the guests, and they were speaking about dancing, girls, pleasant scenes for reasonable rates, quality entertainment, and 18+ lounging without the dodgy fellows. This is how Marilyn came to life at Kálvin Square, in 1993.
Since then, the club underwent a few changes, but the owner and the concept remained the same. By 2016, there aren’t many clubs with a similar profile to Marilyn, which remains a safe, welcoming, and discrete striptease bar based on the feedback of local and international guests. Many who are tired of virtual voyeurism, having a stag party, or looking for an entertainment of this kind come to Marilyn, and most of the men in Budapest have already heard about the place, or even spent time on one of its couches.
Numerous regulars visit Marilyn, and Katalin knows quite a few guests by name.
She senses when someone feels blue or delighted, she knows where her guests like to sit, what their favorite drink is and what type of girls they like to spend their time with – whether the guest comes from Sweden, a nearby district, or from the main stage of Sziget – and indeed, the place has seen numerous globally revered musicians and artists throughout its history.
Lots of bachelor parties are hosted here, and for such an occasion a striptease bar is usually among the most popular locations; normally the bar prepares with special shows for the event, where the groom is in the limelight, much to the delight of his accompanying friends. It has happened several times that the groom’s pals imitated an abduction scene so that the husband-to-be – after a distressing ride with his head covered by a sack – could receive his last (or even first) lap dance before he said “I do”. There even has been an instance where the groom fell in love during his bachelor party, insisted that he made a mistake and was determined to lead the dancer to the altar. Naturally, the uncomfortable situation was only due to the amount of alcohol consumed.
Still, love stories are oftentimes part of the club’s everyday operation. Regardless of the level of education, family background, the values they represent, or the social status they hold, customers are usually seduced by the alluring smiles and captivating dance shows, and guests tend to think that they receive special treatment… but this really is an illusion. Nevertheless, there have been examples of love stories formed, fates intertwined, and fairy tales becoming reality, as well.
Marilyn’s doors are open for everyone regardless of financial status, but the reception reserves the right to perform face-control practices, and if they find that someone shouldn’t be allowed to enter the private club, they are not obligated to let them inside. There can’t be any issues here, and they make sure that it will never be the case. Katalin always managed to solve any arising problems in an intelligent way. The nightclub has been a core part of Budapest’s nightlife for nearly 25 years now, and the place doesn’t want to lose its good reputation. Moreover, this year, they decided to be present at Budapest’s Sziget Festival 2016 with an exclusive tent, dancers, and a VIP area, with this unusual venue to be set up near the Magic Mirror venue at Sziget.
With Marilyn being the very place of pretty girls, discretion, and crazy bachelor parties for more than two decades, Katalin always thinks ahead and comes up with fresh ideas, while maintaining the club’s prestige. Even our conversation ended with the representative of the homeowners association calling her about the upcoming tenants’ meeting, which has been organized in the bar for a very long time... however, it always happens during daytime, without champagne and pole dances.
Marilyn Table Dance Bar
Address:
Budapest 1082, Baross Street 4
Opening hours: daily, 9pm-4am
