Best things to do in Budapest on New Year’s Eve – our top 50!

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Wine and dine at a top restaurant

Arany Kaviár 

Accompanied by magnum bottles handpicked by the restaurant’s sommelier, an international New Year’s Eve dinner will be served at the Arany Kaviár, a high-class dining destination geared towards Russian cuisine. Welcome snacks are served with Beluga Noble vodka, while caviar and oysters are paired with acclaimed Louis Roederer Cristal. Dishes also include blue lobster, duck liver and venison. A place at the table comes with a price tag of 73,500 forints. More details 

Araz 

An exclusive six-course gala dinner is what’s on offer at Araz, a stylish restaurant within the Continental Hotel Budapest. New Year’s celebrations start at 7:30pm and bring live music, pop, rock and retro tunes, a dance show and an all-night party to guests. A traditional midnight buffet features lentils, fried sausage and mini stuffed cabbage. Seats are sold for 39,000 forints. More details 

Baalbek 

A lavish Lebanese gala dinner is laid on for New Year’s Eve at Baalbek, offering prime-quality meze treats, the fish and meat inspired by Middle-Eastern influences. Live music and belly dancing add to the authentic atmosphere. Entry costs €149. The Baalbek kitchen is overseen by executive chef Osama Kutaini, also responsible for the gastronomic offerings at Buddha-Bar Hotel Budapest. More details 

Babel 

In the run-up to midnight, tuck into octopus, lamb neck and chicken-liver parfait at Babel, named International Restaurant of the Year 2017 by prestigious wine & lifestyle magazine Decanter and Hine, a leading manufacturer of cognac. The menu costs 45,000 forints or 60,000 forints with wine pairings. Admission includes entry to KIOSK after 11pm. More details 

Baraka 

A cocktail party and a festive dinner entice guests to countdown to midnight at Baraka, a discreet place offering top-level dining season to season. Tom kha soup, French duck liver, scallops and New Zealand lamb rib are some of the star treats on the menu, available from 65,000 forints. Add 22,500 forints and you get the fully fledged Baraka experience with wine pairings. More details 

Beefbar 

A cosmopolitan atmosphere awaits at Beefbar, a prime location for prime meat, set within the newly opened Hotel Clark by the Chain Bridge. You pay 40,000 forints for the dinner menu on New Year’s Eve and get sashimi, mini burgers of Angus and Kobe meats, even black onyx fillet mignon from Australia. Pay 10,000 extra and you receive a VIP transfer to the similarly popular KIOSK bar, where the party doesn’t stop until the morning hours. The menu is also available with wine pairings. More details 

Bestia 

Set right by the Basilica, Bestia always attracts a cool crowd, so if you want to dine out here on the last day of the year, secure your booking in advance. Dinner is à la carte from the Bestia menu, with delights from Hungarian goulash soup to Australian black Angus. 20,000 forints buys your place. More details 

Corso 

Bid farewell to 2018 with all the bubbles and sparkles at panoramic Corso within the InterContinental. With offerings including oysters, crab and crayfish, seafood is in the spotlight for the night. But you can also sample delicacies that are traditional for a Hungarian New Year’s Eve, such as stuffed cabbage and crispy pork belly. Lamb tagine and black mussels enrich the international selection. Pay 59,900 forints to attend. More details

Costes 

Overseen by young chef Eszter Palágyi, Michelin-starred Costes offers an out-of-this-world dining experience year-round and even more so on New Year’s Eve. The fine feast starts with snacks and welcome drinks, followed by two types of starter, sweet and savoury, plus fish, meat and cheese for mains. Gingerbread completes the feast. A glass of wine is included with each course. Overall cost for this sumptuous dining experience is 110,000 forints. More details 

Deák St. Kitchen 

Part of the prestigious Ritz-Carlton, Budapest, Deák St. Kitchen always cooks up top food using lots of local elements. For New Year’s Eve, a five-course dinner will include trout smoked on oak wood, cauliflower velouté with cured sea scallops, guinea fowl supreme and white-chocolate mousse with a touch of matcha tea. Live jazz will be played from 8pm, then a DJ takes to the decks after 11pm. Entry costs 29,500 forints and includes a glass of sparkling wine. More details  

Déryné 

Premium seating sells for €99 at Déryné, a French-style bistro in a historic corner building of Buda. Dinner price includes a seven-course meal, mulled wine on arrival, mineral water, coffee and a glass of champagne at midnight. VIP seating is also available for €129. Live music entertains guests throughout the night. More details 

ÉS Bisztró 

On 31 December, casual ÉS Bisztró within the Hotel Kempinski prompts guests to create their own meal by a selection of four courses from the restaurant’s NYE menu, including signature hors d’oeuvres, warm starters, mains and desserts. The feast costs 32,500 forints, and drinks can be ordered à la carte. More details 

Gerbeaud 

To celebrate its 160 years in operation, the iconic Gerbeaud is putting on a performance of love melodies from Mozart’s Don Giovanni to welcome 2019 in style. From 8pm, a five-course dinner will be served, with dishes reflecting traditional Hungarian cuisine. A selection of goose liver, rooster soup, pike perch and venison are on the agenda. For dessert, the confectionery’s recently concocted Gerbeaud 160 is being offered. Your seat can be secured for 55,900 forints and includes wine, beer and soft drinks. More details 

Paris-Budapest 

Silver (49,000 forints) and gold packages (55,000 forints) are available for dining guests at the Sofitel, which presents a lavish smorgasbord in two of their restaurants, Paris-Budapest and La Terrasse. Free-flowing wine, champagne, a variety of cocktails, soft drinks and coffee are also included in both deals. More details 

Peppers! 

Raise your champagne flutes to 2019 at Peppers! within the Marriott Hotel on the Pest riverfront. For your 43,900 forints, you get a seven-course treat, including porcini cream soup and Atlantic salmon fillet. A separate menu is available for vegetarians at 29,900 forints. Included in the price are mineral water, soft drinks, coffee, tea and a glass of local sparkling wine. More details 

Spoon 

Pay 56,890 forints to enjoy a scenic NYE on the Danube. Permanently anchored on the Pest riverfront, panoramic Spoon boat offers a four-course meal, open bar with soft drinks, beer and wine. Live music will fill three of the restaurant’s halls, entertaining guests with swing, Gypsy tunes and a karaoke party. More details

Stand 

Overseen by internationally acclaimed chef duo Tamás Széll and Szabina Szulló, Hungarian-style Stand offers a seven-course menu based on local food and ingredients. To close out 2018 here will cost you 79,000 forints – for which you will be served delights such as saddle of venison and homemade pasta stuffed with quail. Each dish comes with a glass of matching wine. Dinner starts at 7pm and ends at 11:30pm. More details 

St. Andrea Wine & Gourmet Bar 

Fish in aspic, duck liver and Iberian beef are on the New Year’s Eve menu at this Budapest branch, of the Eger-based winery, set in the beautifully restored Eiffel Palace where a quality dining experience should be guaranteed. The menu comes with wine pairings and includes a glass of St. Andrea sparkling rosé at midnight. 36,000 forints secures your reservation. More details 

Tama 

Hungarian dishes are fused with international ingredients at Tama, a prime dining destination on central Bajcsy-Zsilinszky út. For the final hours of 2018, guests here can enjoy treats such as rabbit in aspic and beef ribs. The basic price is 30,000 forints, with a wine pairing an extra 15,000 forints. More details 

Tereza 

Party Mexican style at Tereza, where a loca fiesta brings Latin tunes, plus tacos, tortillas, cider and champagne. The 3Coyotes band plays mariachi boleros, bossa nova, Latin rock and reggaeton. More details 

TOPRUM 

Opened earlier this year, this rooftop bar atop Hotel RUM is open year-round, including on the last day of the year, when offerings include goose-liver ganache, pork consommé, even quince. For the 25,000-forint admission, you get a glass of champagne to welcome you or you can pay 33,500 forints to include wine pairings in your package. More details 

Veritas 

Free-flowing wine and a five-course dinner make Veritas the ideal destination for the big night. This District VII wine bar treats guests to Angus steak tartare with caviar and rosemary pork chop infused in tangerine sauce. Snacks are available after midnight. During dinner, live music entertains, then a DJ plays hits after 11pm until late into the night. Admission is 25,000 forints. More details 

ZONA 

A short walk away from the Chain Bridge on the Buda riverfront, ZONA offers a selection of three distinct menu alternatives, meat, fish and vegetarian. Dinner starts at 6pm and runs past midnight. The price for this feast ranges from 18,000 to 21,000 forints, and includes a glass of champagne. More details

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Celebrate 2019 at a lively bar

360 Bar 

Providing an all-encompassing views over the Budapest cityscape, the 360 Bar above Andrássy út has transformed its rooftop bar into the Igloo Garden, where dome-shaped winter huts serve as drinking spots. Admission of 2,000 forints allows you a slice of panoramic fun, with popping champagnes and an eight-hour DJ set. More details 

Anker’t 

Count down to midnight while dancing to hits of the ’80s and ’90s at Anker’t on central Paulay Ede utca. Music videos will be projected onto big screens through the night. Admission is 1,500 forints, also granting access to another party within the same building, where the repertoire features pop and R&B. More details 

BB’z 

Revelry starts at 7pm and lasts until the wee hours at casual BB’z just by Gozsdu Udvar in party central. You pay 5,000 forints if you are here for the drinks, and for 13,900 forints to be served a welcome prosecco, food and a glass of Martini at midnight. You can shake it all off on the bar’s extensive dance floor. More details 

Béla 

While it’s been up and running for awhile, fusion bar Béla combines New Year’s Eve with an official grand opening party, where food and drinks will be copious. While a four-course meal is being served, live music plays in the background. Reservation is available for 8,900 forints. More details 

Black Swan 

Ring in the first seconds of 2019 in a fashionable manner at the snazzy Black Swan, an exclusive cocktail bar in District VII. Here, besides premium spirits and finely concocted cocktails, a seven-course dinner will also be offered to guests, just to give 2018 a proper send-off. More details 

Budapest Jazz Club 

Have a jazzy New Year’s Eve with renowned Hungarian bands, coming together to pay tribute to Ella Fitzgerald, followed by piano-based sets and a late-night jam. Entry to the Budapest Jazz Club (24,900 forints) also includes snacks, stuffed cabbage and midnight champagne. Late-night admission is also available at a discount. More details 

Füge Udvar 

Offering free admission all night long, Füge will be hosting its Great New Year’s Eve Party focused on singles. Upon entry, pick an illuminating bangle, red, yellow or green, each colour revealing a distinct personality. Discount on drinks and a covered smoking area are also available. More details

KEG Sörművház 

Open until 3am for the big night, this ale haven welcomes revellers with food, champagne, music and lashings of beer, of course. On tap for NYE are the most popular KEG varieties, all offered in unlimited quantities. To eat, there will be soup, veal ragout, then crispy pork and venison stew to follow. A lentil dish is offered at 1am. A raffle game takes place at 2am. Admission goes for 18,500 forints. More details 

KIOSK 

Dressed to evoke the style of Studio 54, the legendary New York nightclub, KIOSK will whisk guests back to the glamorous 1970s on the last day of 2018. What features are local and international dishes, dancers in golden shorts, glitter and the biggest hits from the classic days of disco. Admission from 9,900 forints. More details 

Mika Tivadar 

In the heart of party central, Dynamite Dudes bring out their double bass and play rockabilly at the popular Mika Tivadar ruin bar. For the rest of the night, some of the city’s best DJs spin hits until the early morning hours. Don’t forget your welcome scone upon entry. More details 

Neked Csak Dezső 

Fans of ale will be spoiled for choice at Neked Csak Dezső, a spacious Budapest hangout for a whole raft of craft beers. Besides hop-fuelled sensations, food is also part of the deal, including veal tongue, mangalica chop and somlói sponge cake. Reservation is available for 7,990 forints. More details 

Púder 

A welcome drink, a festive menu, pálinka and champagne await at Púder, an eclectic locale on Ráday utca. For 7,000 forints, you get lentil soup, chicken breast and panna cotta with mango or pay 9,000 forints to enjoy salmon galantine, chicken soup, pork medallions and coffee cream cake. Drinks at the bar are extra. More details 

Warmup 

On NYE, cocktails flow freely at Warmup, a high-spirited site for sipping prime mixes. 15,000 forints will buy you an unlimited package of special New Year’s drinks. Admission also comes with free snacks through the night and a complimentary glass of champagne when the clock strikes midnight. More details

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Party all night at a club

A38 

Renowned Hungarian performer Bori Péterfy plays with her band at the A38 Ship, a cargo boat-cum-concert venue, as a warm-up to get you in the mood for the New Year’s Eve celebrations. The energetic singer has been blasting out lively pop for well over a decade. Pulsating beats then keep the party going after the show. More details 

Aether 

Sparkling champagne, comfy couches and confetti welcome you at Aether, an electro club on Király utca hosting a grand house party for New Year’s Eve. The revelry starts at 9pm. More details 

Akvárium Klub 

On NYE, the most central club in Budapest brings out the disco balls and puts on music from the ’90s to celebrate 2019. Tickets go for 6,900 forints and grant admission to three of Akvárium’s themed rooms, one transformed into a Hollywood boulevard and playing film music. More details 

Alterego 

A stalwart of Budapest’s LGBTQ destinations, the Alterego Club is known for the hottest pop parties and flamboyant shows, featuring well-known local personalities. The NYE party series starts here on 28 December and end in the wee hours of 1 January. Ticket prices are varied. More details 

BRKLYN 

Once an abandoned edifice is now a modern eatery and party spot nestled among the Kazinczy utca ruin bars. A four-course menu with goose liver, salmon and lamb chops, a NYE mini concert and Dj sets, should make everything groovy at BRKLYN. More details 

Brody Studios 

Give 2018 one last hoorah at Brody Studios, a bohemian hangout open to members only. Distinct packages are available with or without food, but all revellers share one thing – the superb music that plays on NYE. Buy your tickets in advance. More details 

Buddha-Bar 

It’s just been announced that Budapest’s successful Buddha-Bar Hotel at the landmark Klotild Palace will close in January 2019. But you can party once more at this Oriental-style site, where sushi, sashimi, oysters and champagne are an inseparable part of New Year’s celebrations. Buddha-Bar resident DJ Mada is behind the decks. Pay €279 for the gala dinner or €39 for a walk-in party ticket. More details

Dürer Kert 

To see out 2018, the Dürer Kert invites a multinational line-up to make this boisterous winter night even more special. DJs come from Spain, Israel, Morocco and Slovakia. Tickets on the door go for 4,500 before midnight and 5,000 forints afterwards. More details 

Fogasház/Instant/Lärm/Robot 

The biggest party hotspot in Budapest will throw the loudest bash in town, filling all of their clubs to the brim. DJ Jutasi and DJ du8uc will spin hits at Fogasház, live music shakes up Instant, Robot plays rock and electronica entices partygoers at Lärm. You can enter this whole complex before midnight with a 4,000-forint ticket. More details 

Hellobabybar 

Prominent party spot Hellobabybar on prestigious Andrássy út attracts a fashionable crowd year-round. For NYE, R&B, reggaeton, dance and house music draw party people to the dance floor, set in two of club’s halls. Tickets sell for 5,000 forints. More details 

Ötkert 

Found just steps from St. Stephen’s Basilica, downtown club Ötkert is hosting a New Year’s Eve bash with two dance floors and several DJs. Tickets are available online for 9,000 forints, which entitles you to a voucher for 3,000 forints’ worth of drinks. More details 

Toldi Klub 

Have a glamorous New Year’s Eve at the Toldi Klub, hosting a queer pop party on this most sparkling time of the year. Tickets are available for 4,500 forints on the night. More details 

Why Not Bar 

Set by statuesque Liberty Bridge, riverfront Why Not Budapest is the place to go for cocktails, light bites, concerts and transvestite attractions. Reservation (5,000 forints) is required on 31 December, for which you receive a drinks voucher, you enjoy DJ sets from 8pm and snacks after midnight. More details

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Join in with street celebrations

Around Budapest’s chilly streets and squares, NYE celebrations break out in spontaneous fashion. Chic couples mingle with crowds of sozzled young locals dressed up in off-kilter party hats, blowing whistles as the countdown to 2019 starts. Stalls of feather boas and fireworks line the pavements as frankfurter vendors do a roaring trade – pork is considered a lucky charm in Hungary on New Year’s Eve. A pyrotechnic show explodes over the Danube at midnight, allowing everyone to let loose with music, horns, hugs and kisses citywide. The liveliest areas should be Vörösmarty tér, the Danube Promenade, Oktogon and Nyugati tér.