Were Hemingway still a strapping young man today, we bet he would leave precious old Paris behind to instead live in Budapest – the Magyar metropolis offers all of the necessary places for leading a virile lifestyle. From straight-razor shaves to shooting guns to glasses of fine whisky, testosterone-rich gentlemen will find plenty of masculine attractions all around Hungary’s capital – here are just a few of them.
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Barber Shop Budapest - Holló utca
Decorated with surfing gear, boomerangs, and antlers, this recently opened downtown destination is already a cherished retreat for classic male grooming. Visitors are welcomed with a beer before taking a seat in an antique barber chair and receiving varied haircuts inspired by vintage style-option posters on the walls. Professional shaves with a cut-throat razor come complete with a hot towel applied to the face beforehand to soften your whiskers.
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The Caledonia
Bearing the authentic atmosphere of a cozy Scottish pub, this beloved hangout is adorned with broadswords and a wooden bar carved with Celtic patterns – a perfect setting for gathering with mates to quaff pints while talking about women and sports (as various matches are continually shown on multiple screens). In addition to a full menu of hearty meals, an admirable assortment of hard-to-find Scotch whisky is available by the glass or the bottle.
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Celeritas Shooting Club
Action heroes would feel right at home in this high-caliber shooting range that offers a complete spectrum of real firearms and piles of live ammunition. Choose among pistols like the Ruger Mk III, Beretta 92FS, and Glock 17, or pack a hand-cannon revolver like the .44 Magnum Smith & Wesson (Dirty Harry’s weapon of choice) – and if that doesn’t provide enough firepower for you, try the Remington 870 12-gauge shotgun or a fully automatic Kalashnikov.
Where: Budapest 1239, Grassalkovich út 294
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Gallwitz
Generations of Budapest’s pipe-smoking gentlemen continually depend on this august tobacconist for decades now. The unparalleled selection of puffing paraphernalia here ranges from gleaming new pipes by high-end international producers (like Rattray’s, Peterson, and Savinelli) to one-of-a-kind antique meerschaums hand-carved in Hungary. While perusing the pipes and related accoutrements, don’t miss the stately selection of canes and walking sticks.
Where: Budapest 1052, Régi Posta u. 7-9
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Moró Antik
For the truly macho, interior-design items should serve as more than mere ornamentation – they must double as home-security implements, as well. This upscale antique gallery fills that need by providing a complete assortment of centuries-old sabers, battle axes, gleaming katanas, flintlock pistols, and many other genuinely combat-scarred weapons that look impressively imposing, whether hanging on the wall or lunging toward an attacking intruder.
Where: Budapest 1055, Falk Miksa u. 13
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Obsit Military Shop
Considering the troubled state of the world these days, real men should be ready to rely on their wilderness-survival skills at any time – luckily, this all-purpose army-surplus store offers pretty much everything necessary to hide out in the hills for a few days or months. Along with all sorts of camouflage clothing and camping equipment, the stock here includes binoculars, compasses, combat boots, backpacks, gas masks, and gleaming knives galore.
Where: Budapest 1073, Erzsébet krt. 21
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P2
Whether organizing a stag party, entertaining a permissive business partner, or simply seeking some drinks with a beautiful view, Budapest’s newest top-quality gentlemen’s club is a legitimately classy locale for louche laughs and unashamed leering. Upstairs, a refined restaurant serves international specialties and savory steaks (with comely dinner partners provided upon request), while gorgeous strippers star in the cellar lounges and VIP rooms.
Where: Budapest 1051, Sas u. 9
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University Boxing Club
Since the ancient Greeks transformed hand-to-hand hostilities into noble athletic activities, boxing remains as the most primal formal way for men (and even some women) to prove their worth with their fists. At this premier center for pugilists of all skill levels, friends and foes alike can enter the ring and punch each other with impunity, while other combat sports practiced here include mixed martial arts, kickboxing, and Brazilian jiu-jitsu.
Where: Budapest 1095, Soroksári út 24
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