As Friedrich Nietzsche rightly pointed out, “Without music, life would be a mistake.” And life would indeed be difficult without all the pleasant tunes, which are remedy for the soul and the body. Not to mention that live music is also a fun addition to any lunch, dinner or a fine drink. Or perhaps food and drinks are delightful additions to jazz and acoustic covers? Either way, we have rounded up 9 vibrant places in Budapest where you can enjoy live music and fine meals simultaneously.
1/9
opus
This stylish jazz club in the 9th district is located in the Budapest Music Center (BMC). When you buy a ticket to a concert, you get a table for four, so you can enhance your musical experience with some food and drink. You can order a proper gastronomic meal, but if you’d rather go for a snack or stick to just quality drinks, you’re welcome to do so.
2/9
Piros Pezsgő Piano Bar
This bar in the 2nd district is a true legend, and it’s classy too, bringing back the good old days. It feels like it’s been there since the 60s, but actually has been existing even longer. The place opens at 10 pm, and it’s worth booking in advance, otherwise, you might not get in for music and a late dinner. Moreover, the whole place is very stylish: you ring the bell at the entrance, and the host lets you in and leads you into the hallway, where he takes your coat off and puts it on a hanger before escorting you to your seat.
3/9
Mezzo Music Restaurant
You can’t miss this elegant and laid-back place, just a few minutes’ walk from Széll Kálmán tér along Csaba utca to Maros utca, where it stands on the corner. Mezzo offers a swing vibe, which defines the music, along with jazz and film scores, performed by a tasteful selection of artists while you dine.
4/9
Déry
Déryné, the iconic café along Krisztina körút, is a favourite of local patriots in Buda. It’s been there for over 100 years (opened in 1910) and was first owned by the renowned family of confectioners, the Auguszts. It was frequented mainly by artists, celebrities, and women of a certain reputation, as well as bohemian and hedonistic folks. The lavish cuisine and cocktails are accompanied by tasteful live music.
5/9
Mazel to
Located in the party district – or the historic Jewish Quarter, if you will – this restaurant combines elegance with the district’s ruin pub style. It’s as much a restaurant as it is an open-minded cultural base because it features a good number of events, mainly concerts, so there’s always some nice music to go with your meal.
6/9
Color Bar Budapest
Opened on the site of the former Fiaker restaurant, Color Bar Budapest is a pleasant and relatively quiet island in the depths of the party district. In addition to the food, its tastefully selected wine list is a major attraction. The intimate and cosy atmosphere is enhanced by live concerts, and while you’re wining and dining, you can even catch a glimpse of a singer or musician.
7/9
Szaletly
Located close to the City Park (on the corner of Thököly út and Stefánia út), Szaletly also boasts a substantial garden. Its cuisine is Hungarian with a twist, as it harmoniously blends traditional and modern concepts. Dinner is accompanied by music, if not every evening, then almost every evening, mainly by smooth jazz.
8/9
Pörc&Prézli
Located in downtown Budapest, opposite the Basilica, the Pörc&Prézli offers hungry guests a selection of authentic Hungarian dishes made from ingredients from local small-scale producers, with an authentic, classic restaurant atmosphere, accompanied by a lively, cheerful, and of course local music.
9/9
Budapest Jazz
We started with a jazz club, we’ll finish with a jazz club. Located in the bohemian Újlipótváros, in the 13th district, on Hollán Ernő utca, Budapest Jazz Club reminds us of the smoke-filled clubs of the Belle Époque – but without the smoke. It has a traditional concert hall, but dinner is also accompanied by music – jazz, obviously.
