At long last, the arrival of springtime means that Budapest’s lively nightlife scene can move outdoors again, as plenty of bars and clubs are already reopening their open-air areas… however, summertime is still a long time away from now, and chances are we’ll be facing at least a few more cold and rainy evenings in the upcoming weeks. No problem – at all seven of these bustling nightlife zones in the Magyar metropolis, there are plenty of enclosed locales alongside the outdoor tables to continually welcome the city’s party people, rain or (moon)shine.
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Bálna Budapest
With sweeping views over the Danube, Gellért Hill, and Liberty Bridge, this riverfront complex is becoming increasingly popular for sipping potent potables while watching the sun set and the moon rise, especially now that its long row of waterside nightspots are once again putting out their terrace tables, including and . However, these places also feature many indoor seating areas that still feature panoramic vistas through oversized windows.
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Erzsébet Square
In the heart of downtown Pest, this popular parkland houses (pictured), with its sprawling outdoor bar reopening on March 30th – but recently the management also opened a similarly spacious indoor location next door. Also, the always-active is found here; while the cavernous indoor venue is ideal for dancing the night away no matter what the weather brings, the huge starlit stairway out front is always a great warm-weather spot for besotted conversations stretching late into the night.
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Gozsdu Udvar
Numerous nightspots occupy this buzzing compound of buildings and interconnected courtyards; some of the most popular ones are , , , , , and Gozsdu. All of these places have large terrace areas, most of which feature outdoor heaters and blankets in case a cold snap sets in – but if it really gets chilly out, party people can retreat indoors at all of those locales, as well as at the and Aether clubs.
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Kazinczy Street
As the main drag of downtown Pest’s nightlife nexus in the , Kazinczy Street is often crowded with merrymakers at all times of the year, but during springtime this lively lane blossoms with party places that offer both indoor and outdoor fun zones. This is where you’ll find the world’s most famous ruin pub – – as well as trendy hangouts like and , alongside laid-back locales such as and ; all of these places offer spaces to sit inside and out.
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Lövőház Street
While most revelers in the Magyar metropolis are only interested in partying on the city’s Pest side, Buda’s car-free Lövőház Street is gaining renown for its cool collection of places to meet friends for drinks amid spacious sidewalk-seating areas, including the wine bar and the Cooltour club. In addition to the indoor/outdoor watering holes, tempting street-food restaurants here include the Wok Bár and , making this a pleasant place to spend an evening no matter what the weather brings.
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Mikszáth Kálmán Square
Hidden in a neighborhood primarily populated by students, this pleasant plaza is one of the city’s best spots for sitting out under starlight while chatting and sipping – Zappa Caffe and both offer relaxed terrace tables, but can still welcome everyone inside if a springtime cloudburst strikes. A few steps away at the nearby pedestrian-only lane of Baross Street, several other fine watering holes with patio seating beckon between the stately and busy .
