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Gay Budapest Budapest

Budapest's gayest addresses



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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.
Hungary remains a conservative country but 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.

CAFÉS & BARS


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 - Mystery Bar
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.

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

Funny Carrot
The former "Darling Bar" downtown is now "Funny Carrot," one of the main addresses for a night of bar-hopping, as it's found next to Habroló (see above).

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.

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.

CLUBS


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.

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.

RESTAURANTS


Club 93
With tables placed outside during the warmer months, this small restaurant attracts gays and lesbians throughout the year. It serves good pizzas and an inexpensive Italian menu.

Ruben
Centrally located on a quiet street, this very gay-friendly restaurant serves Hunganrian specialties and international dishes, including home-made pastas and soups.

BATHS & SAUNAS


The gayest baths are said to be 15th-century KIRÁLY (Fö utca 82-84), with fairly open cruising.
Rudas has some gay vibe, but discretion is advised. Gellért remains popular, but mostly caters to tourists.
In the summer, take bus 26 to Palatinus on Margaret Island, where you'll find a terrace for nude sun-bathing (mostly frequented by gay men).
For saunas in the more traditional gay sense, there is Szauna 69 (attracts young guys) and Magnum Sauna, the biggest of all, attracting guys of all ages and busy throughout the week.

GAY-FRIENDLY HOTELS


Gay-friendly Connection Guesthouse has double and single rooms with shared and private bathrooms. It's close to many gay spots and offers internet access.
One of the city's upmarket hotels, Le Meridien Budapest declares itself gay-friendly. Located in the center of the city, it includes facilities such as a sauna and swimming pool.