Perhaps because of its famous baths and the cruising at many of them, Budapest has always been a quiet gay hotspot. It just may be the gayest destination in Eastern Europe, and despite clashes with radical right-wing demonstrators in 2007 and 2008, there's been a Gay Pride march in the city since 1997.
A 2007 law allowed for registered same-sex partnerships starting in January of 2009, although Hungary remains a conservative country. There are several gay bars and gay-friendly restaurants in the capital, most found on the Pest side. The crowds tend to be a good mix of all ages and styles, and the places very laid-back and welcoming. But what the city does best for its gay visitors than most other European cities are its saunas which are huge and beautiful.


Eklektika
From a cosy 1950s-retro-style café-bar to a "restolounge", this place remains a gay-friendly hotspot now serving light meals such as soups, salads, and pastas. Also unchanged are the special musical nights, ranging from DJ sessions to live jazz.

Le Cafe M
This attractive café and bar opens in mid-afternoon and stays open until 4AM as a destination for drinks before or after a party elsewhere. It has a minimalist décor also featuring some retro touches, and offers wi-fi internet which you can use as you watch music videos on the LCD screens around you.

AMSTEL RIVER CAFE - Parizsi utca. 6
Good food and a friendly English-speaking staff make this a popular café for both locals and tourists. It's gay-owned, meaning it's also gay-friendly, and it has a pleasant atmosphere by the Danube.

Coxx
Formerly known as Chaos, this place has a double life. Earlier in the evening it serves mostly as an art gallery and internet café, while later at night it's a sizzling men-only gay club.

Cafe Smile
As one of the favorite hangouts before clubbing, this welcoming bar is the place to get warmed on its small dancefloor and dark room.

Habroló Bisztró
This small bar is a favorite of gay locals who come to relax over drinks, drag queen acts, and other events.

Capella
While mixed throughout the week, on Saturdays this place is predominantly gay (as is the staff). It's a trendy bar that also hosts some extravagant drag shows. During the rest of the night, the sounds are house, danced by a mix of gay and straight.

Arkadia
Its central downtown location may explain why it's usually crowded, but that's also because this is one of the most intimate places in the city to meet with friends or new ones, and enjoy a drink that marks the beginning of a long night.

Action
A large yellow "A" lets you know you've arrived at this basement bar that's usually packed with a mixture of gay locals and tourists who have already been informed that this is the place for some hot strip shows later in the night.

Alterego
There are different parties on different nights at this club, from Diva Night to Retro parties. Click on the link above for the website which includes an English version listing what's coming up next. It's the best gay club in town for a night on the dancefloor or drinking at the bar to the sound of the dance beats.

Bohemian Alibi
A mixed gay and straight crowd enjoys the parties and drag shows at this club which often stays open until morning. There are two shows on Fridays and Saturdays.


GAY-FRIENDLY HOTELS
Two of the city's upmarket hotels, Le Meridien Budapest and Corinthia Royal, declare themselves gay-friendly. They're both located in the center of the city, and include facilities such as a sauna and swimming pool.