Spring is only just with us and everyone's looking forward to summer when open-air concerts will finally take place. Although indoor venues are still open until mid-late June, the spotlight is increasingly shifting toward clubs with outdoor spaces and gardens. Many opened on 1 May, marking the start of this year’s concert season!
1/12
A38
This
classic floating location at the Buda foot of Petőfi Bridge operates all
year round, but summer is a completely different proposition on board the party
boat. The main concert hall in the belly of the hull closes and the terraces open, where all but one of this summer’s events now takes place. Budapest’s
most popular daytime party series, Sunburst, will noise up the Nose Terrace next
to the Roof Terrace. To get everyone in the mood, the A38 let loose last Saturday with a 24-hour season-opening party.
2/12
Akvárium Klub
In
addition to the A38 (see above), Budapest’s other main concert venue is
the Akvárium Klub right in the heart of town. In similar fashion, the concert
halls inside close their doors from June, and the terrace by the entrance
transforms into a party venue. In addition to acoustic shows by prominent acts
on the Hungarian music scene (the Lázár brothers, Nové Soma, Jónás Vera), DJs will
generate a sparkling summer atmosphere with mood-enhancing dance music.
3/12
Barba Negra
Although it was recently rumoured that Barba Negra would close, this
turned out to be greatly exaggerated. At some point, the place will move from
its current location, at the Buda foot of Lágymányosi Bridge, but it remains here
for the summer. Barba Negra is primarily a concert venue for metal bands and
rockers – a glance at the agenda reveals names not to be messed with, such
as Mayhem, Igorrr and Combichrist. More mainstream acts also feature, such as
the evergreen Whitesnake and Hungarian poppy hip-hoppers Children of Distance, while this month domestic legends such as Edda and Hobo preach to the converted.
4/12
Budapest Park
Budapest Park is one
of the most popular summer concert venues in the capital, like one big summer-long festival on Soroksári út. As before the pandemic, the place has put together a serious line-up
of performers. There will be one or two smaller one-day festivals, the best of Hungarian alt-music scene will perform here such as Bohemian Betyars, Ricsárdgír, Csaknekedkirlány,
Galaxisok, Krúbi, Bëlga, Follow the Flow, Budapest Bár, the Anti Fitness
Club, Blahalouisiana and Parno Graszt. In addition, a
few big international stars also play: the Pet Shop Boys, the Pixies, Pink Floyd drummer
Nick Mason and Gogol Bordello.
5/12
Dürer Kert
Like Kertem (see below),
Dürer Kert was also located in Városliget, and then had to move when the rehabilitation of
the park and its surroundings began. It reopened last year on the other side of the Danube, at burgeoning BudaPart, and it proves to be
a great place. Both DJs and live bands await audiences this season, although their bigger events are still being held on the A38 (see above)
party boat or at the Akvárium Klub (see above). Luckily, there are still smaller gigs at Dürer
Kert too, maintaining its status as one of the main
venues in Budapest for underground music.
6/12
Kertem
This iconic venue in Városliget had to move from here after the construction of the
huge playground began. Now Kertem can be found in District XIV at Kőbányai
út 30. Last year, they opened halfway through the season, so
this will be their first real summer. So, hopes are high, which means they have put together an impressive line-up of acoustic performers and DJs. Dates
can vary, so monitor the Facebook page.
7/12
Kobuci Kert
Kobuci Kert in Óbuda awaits visitors in the courtyard of Zichy Castle near Szentlélek tér. The friendly stages world- and folk-music concerts, jazz and blues, some underground pop and electronica. Away from the party quarter, Kobuci is a peaceful little island amid the cobblestoned squares of Óbuda, typically beckoning you to stay awhile.
8/12
Margaret Island Open-Air Stage
There’s more to Margaret Island than its seasonal open-air stage, of course – the Palatinus lido, a newly renovated outdoor gym,
the musical fountain, for example – but here in the shadow of the water tower
crowd-pleasing performers will tread the boards until the end of August.
Highlights include two nights of Puccini’s Tosca, Portland’s own Pink Martini
and, to close the season, the evergreen vernacular swing of Budapest Bár.
9/12
Mixát Udvar
This spring brings a brand new place to the Palace Quarter, the Mixát Udvar, which takes over the space once occupied
by the Darshan udvar. Concerts will actually take place in an indoor hall,
but there’s enough alfresco fun in the centrepiece courtyard for this newbie to
make the cut of our round-up. Its musical direction isn’t yet set in stone but the
fact that it’s one of a dozen venues currently hosting Jazzfest Budapest should be as good an indication as any.
10/12
PONTOON
The original PONTOON was on the right side of the Pest end of the Chain Bridge, whose renovation forced it to relocate. Last summer, PONTOON reopened at a new
location, ushering in a new era in the life of the club. However, their concept
remains the same as before: underground music for parties, electronica, jazz, disco,
hip hop and Gypsy music – all with no door charge. You can dance and party until
dawn, while admiring Buda's beautiful panorama: the Castle, Gellért Hill
and the entire embankment.
11/12
Városmajor Open-Air Stage
Városmajor celebrates its centenary this summer – it was in July 1922 that an open-air
cinema, forerunner of this concert venue, was unveiled in this historic Buda park. These days, it tends to showcase a slightly less mainstream agenda than its partner alfresco
establishment on Margaret Island (see above). Theatre and film are pushed to
the fore, with occasional live music this year from alt-rockers Honeybeast
and 30Y.
12/12
WAKA Budapest
WAKA Budapest is another summer party venue in the capital, which opened in 2021 by the Danube, close to Elizabeth Bridge. This great location provides a breathtaking panorama from aboard the ship which houses it. Reopening on 1 May, WAKA offers primarily electronic music and DJ sessions every night, but last year there were regular yoga and brunch events and a charity party to help disadvantaged children on this Caribbean-inspired boat.
