1/8
5 cl
Since the onset of 2016, a specialized watering hole makes Budapest’s bustling Kazinczy Street complete with a tasteful selection of Hungary’s classic pálinka brandy, promoting refined drinking of this fruit-based tipple in a revolutionary way. Guests can pop into 5 cl to warm up with a few swigs of premium pálinka, or we can order a complete tasting package served on a uniquely designed board with space for five 1-centiliter shot glasses and some Hungarian tapas, including small slices of bread with mangalica cream, eggplant cream, sausage cream, and lecsó, a traditional Hungarian paprika-and-tomato stew.
2/8
Cintányéros
Housed in a dilapidated building in Budapest’s rising District VIII, a classic-yet-modern wine tavern draws those who want to hang out at a casual locale that lacks snobbery and instead boasts an unadulterated atmosphere. With a nice selection of reasonably priced libations originating from Hungarian wine regions, fiery pálinka shots, cheese and meat platters, and conventional java concoctions served late into the night, Cintányéros bears a charming nostalgia – the place also presents fixtures that derive from the past, including a 100-year-old pianino that is available for anyone to play.
3/8
Impostor Bar
Have a sip of Taiwan in the heart of Budapest by lounging at Impostor, located right next to Baotiful on . Inside an industrial-designed courtyard, assorted exotic drinks are served that are usually hard to get in Budapest, including Choya Sake, Sanwa Shochu, and premium Japanese whiskeys. However, the Asian-themed watering hole also boasts an impressive cocktail selection – Shark is made up of passion fruit, honey water, lemon juice, egg white, and soda water, while Crystal Jame is flavored with sweet plum jam. When winter sets in, the patio is transformed into a covered terrace with heaters, thus making this summertime locale suitable for hanging out anytime.
4/8
Krak’n Town
Jules Verne’s surreal fantasy world unfolds in front of our eyes when we dive into Budapest’s first steampunk saloon, found in the city’s gritty-yet-grand District VIII. Amid a setting boasting steam-propelled gadgets, hot-air balloons, and glass goggles, guests are served artisanal beers prepared with a twist, while the waitstaff, dressed in semi-Victorian apparel, darts between secluded booths with platefuls of traditional British specialties, including black pudding and shepherd’s pie. But 'Krakft' beer is not the only intoxicating offer here; the drink list also includes a wide variety of rums, vodkas, and other spirits.
5/8
PONTOON
At the Pest side of the city’s postcard-superstar , cheerful guests admire strings of boats swaying on the Danube while sipping on aromatic wines, pitchers of chilled beer, or colorful cocktails. PONTOON, which debuted this past spring, is a riverside hangout open from April through early autumn, and offers a chill zone and a scenic sunbathing deck in downtown Budapest with several summertime programs, including sunset yoga sessions, alfresco film-screening events, and breezy parties during the weekend. However, the beautiful panorama that guests enjoy from here over the Buda Castle is reason enough to visit this multistory hangout any day of the week.
6/8
Sörsajt
This District VIII locale pairs succulent cheeses with fine suds of small breweries, creating a new and definitely likeable concept in Budapest’s booming gastronomy scene. 20 taps are set up at the bar, containing a selection stretching from the classic German Maisel wheat beer, to an IPA from Möszjő, the Way to El Diablo. Those craving sweet suds can try the owner’s own concoction, Lados Meggyes, which is a fruity sour-cherry-flavored beer. To best accompany the brews, guests can choose from an international cheese selection, ranging from light mozzarella to aged goat cheese to a heavy appenzeller, but the selection also includes products of local suppliers.
Address: Budapest 1085, József körút 35
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7/8
Whisker’s Cat Pub
Imagine chugging down pints of beer in a pub while being surrounded by cute kitties – this is not just a fantasy anymore at Budapest’s Whisker’s Cat Pub, a purrfect hangout now open in the heart of downtown on Semmelweis Street. The furry friends are found on a gallery that can be reached by a ladder, keeping them separate from the drinking area – guests can visit the four-legged residents of the pub whenever they want, and they are also visible from the ground floor. And what does the list of drinks have in store for patrons? A selection of local craft beers, and even creatively named cocktail concoctions, like CATmopolitan or CAT on the beach.
Address: Budapest 1052, Semmelweis Street 17
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8/8
Zsiráf
Found right next to the city’s iconic , a sprawling summertime beer garden serves as a new alfresco playground for grown-ups with a wide drink selection and a great atmosphere, conquering a stretch of land on the trendy Eiffel Square. The bar at Zsiráf (“Giraffe” in Hungarian) features assorted craft beers, draft beers, and a variety of suds-based cocktails, while a type of tabletop tap (also dubbed “giraffe”) serves as an important accessory of hot summer nights. With good music, drinks, table tennis, and the tasty food served here, this perfect alfresco haunt spices up summer nights downtown.
