Cocktails Bars in Budapest: Where To Drink For Every Kind Of Vibe
We almost named our blog cocktail craving couple because finding unique cocktail bars when we travel is one of Caleb and I’s favorite things to do! Budapest is known for its nightlife, but it’s so much more than clubs and ruin pubs, and the cocktail scene is some of our favorite in Europe!
If you’re trying to figure out the perfect place to end your busy sightseeing day, you’re in the right place because when we lived in city, it was pretty much our mission to find the best cocktail bars in Budapest! I think we nailed it.
We know that everyone defines the “best” differently, so we’ve broken this guide down by what we think each bar is best for. You won’t go wrong with *any* choice here. Let’s get into it!
Culture Craving Couple contains affiliate links and is a member of the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program. If you make a purchase using one of these Amazon links, we may receive compensation at no extra cost to you. Thanks for supporting us! You can see our disclosure policy.
Pick Your Vibe For Quick Navigation:
✨ Feeling Adventurous
🎭 Feeling Theatrical
🍣 Feeling Unique
❤️ Feeling Romantic
😎 Feeling Trendy
☁️ Feeling Like A View
😄 Feeling Like An Experience
💎 Feeling Like A Hidden Gem
Warm-Up Bar – For The Adventurous
Personally, we think this is the best cocktail bar in Budapest and maybe even Europe. The inside is dark and has purple lights everywhere, giving it kind of a “ruin bar” vibe but without the crappy, cheap highballs and drunk 20-year-olds.
But, what we really love is there is no menu (well, there is, but it’s mostly just for people who get anxious leaving things to chance) because you just tell the waiter what you like, and they surprise you with a bespoke cocktail.
We’ve had some of our favorite cocktails EVER in the world here (one of the best things we spent our money on TBH) and it’s located in District 7, our favorite district to stay in Budapest.
Practical Tip: MAKE SURE to also tell the bartender what flavors you DON’T like and be specific. I forgot to mention that I hate Amaretto. What did I get? An amaretto drink. They did change it, but they were a little unhappy/rude about it.
📍Budapest, Nagy Diófa u. 26, 1072 Hungary
Opening hours: 7pm – 1am Sun-Wed and until 2am Thurs-Sat
Boutiq’ Bar – For Theatrical, Instagrammable Cocktails
We first went to this vibey, all-red-and-black cocktail bar because we saw it in the list of 50 best cocktail bars in the world (which you should consult whenever you travel), and it did not disappoint! It’s one of the pioneers in Budapest’s cocktail scene, and the cocktails are seriously styled.
We had one once where the waiter took a surprise Polaroid selfie of us and stuck it to the glass, and I once had one that was on fire with a marshmallow to roast over said fire.
Taylor’s Tip: While the cocktails are creative, they’re not AS creative as some on the list or AS good, but they are still delicious and the craziest looking if that’s what you’re going for.
Practical Tip: it can be very easy to miss! It’s right across the street from the “Bohemtanya” restaurant; look for the big, blue door.
📍Paulay Ede u. 5, 1061, Budapest
Opening hours: 6pm-midnight Wednesdays, 6 pm-1 am Thursdays, and 6 pm-2 am Fridays and Saturdays
Tuk Tuk Bar – For Unique Flavors
Tuk Tuk Bar is one of the coolest bars in Budapest! It is small and cozy with VERY UNIQUE Asian-inspired cocktails that actually reminded us of the flavors we had in Asia. Their hot, tea-inspired cocktails are particularly great.
We had the same waitress the 3 times we went here, and she’s SO cool and friendly. Caleb really wanted to try their pandan drink, but they were always out. She remembered to email us before our reservation once to let us know they were still out. SUCH great service!
We tried almost everything on the menu, and it was all amazing!
PRACTICAL TIPS: this bar is SMALL, so it’s hard to get a group spot, and it’s best for small groups or couples. You definitely need a reservation on weekends, so plan your trip to Budapest accordingly!
📍Budapest, Paulay Ede u. 31, 1061 Hungary
Opening hours: 5 midnight every day except Wednesday when it’s closed.
Hotsy Totsy – For A Cozy, Romantic Night
This is the best bar in Budapest for romance, and it was right across the street from our apartment, so we basically lived there. No shame in our cocktail game! If you want to do something romantic in Budapest, go here!
You enter through a small door that goes down into what feels like a cave, and this dark, sultry, speak-easy vibe is there. Everything is brick with black and red accents and low lighting, which gives it a cozy yet sexy vibe that is perfect for canoodling the night away. Do people still say canoodling? I digress.
It’s cool because their menu is all different playing cards, and each card is categorized into different styles of cocktails. The staff are SUPER friendly and helpful, and they made me an amazing lemon, honey, basil, and gin cocktail that was off-menu!
📍 Budapest, Síp u. 24, 1075 Hungary
Opening hours: 6 pm -12 pm Sunday through Wednesday and until 2 am Thursday through Saturday.
Black Swan – For a Trendy, Speakeasy Vibe
Black Swan is the place to be seen. It’s seriously sexy and luxe feeling with its low-light, red velvet everything and high, backlit bar. It’s got this whole “speakeasy vibe” going on.
They have a large list of cocktails that are unique, but they don’t list the base spirit, which we don’t like, just the flavor profiles. When we asked, they were very hesitant to tell us the base spirits and, as someone who doesn’t like a few common bases, I found this annoying.
Caleb had a creation with pandan, cacao, and wasabi, which was actually balanced and tasty, and I had a delish apple/mint/aquavit combo!
It’s the most expensive spot on the list, but only by a buck or two!
To find it, look for the door set into a firewall with a picture of a black swan.
Practical tips: This could make a sexy date night spot, too, but it’s a little loud and does not have a cozy feeling.
📍 Klauzál utca 32, 1072, Budapest
Opening hours: 6pm – 2am Wednesday – Saturday, until midnight Tuesday and Sunday and closed Monday.
High Notes – For Cocktails With a View
Inside the Aria Hotel, on the 7th floor, you’ll find this cocktail bar where you’ll pay for the view. It’s definitely one of those fancy restaurants that cost a lot (more than other cocktail bars), but they know you’ll pay for the view of St. Stephens Basilica. It’s been ranked in the top 15 best rooftop bars in the World by Conde Nast!
The cocktails are good, and they have some unique options and the classic. Don’t expect the most epic flavors, but if the view is the most important to you, this is where to go.
Practical tips: The best view is from this really high patio area they have, but it’s reservation only, and there is a minimum drink spend to get in, which makes it best if you’re traveling as a group.
📍Budapest, Hercegprímás u. 5, 1051 Hungary
Opening hours: 4 pm – midnight Monday-Thursday and 2 pm – midnight Fri -Sun.
Neverland Escape Room – For A Whole Experience
Yes, it’s an escape room and a bar at the SAME TIME. You can either sit and drink or order cocktails and bring them into the escape room while you solve it. The drinks menu is extensive, really reasonably priced, and quite unique! They are on the sweeter side but still delicious.
We did a seriously amazing Harry Potter-themed room, which is one of the most popular themes, but they have a ton of them. We were worried it wouldn’t be fun with only two people, but we loved it! It would be fun as a group, too, though.
Practical tips: you definitely need to reserve a room in advance as it’s popular! We recommend going early to have a drink (or two) at their bar before starting. Makes it more fun 😏
📍Budapest, Dohány u. 22-24, 1074 Hungary
Opening hours: 9 am – 12 am Sunday – Thursday, and until 2 am Friday and Saturday.
Seven – For a Hidden Gem
Seven is actually a distillery in the Tokaj region of Hungary and now has a bar where they serve their own spirits. They have a list of VERY unique signature cocktails and then a huge menu of all the classics. We loved that the menu had a diagram that showed the balance of sweet, sour, alcohol, fresh, etc., in each drink.
If you’re looking for something a little quieter and “off the beaten path,” this is the bar for you.
Pro Tip: try to get the swing chairs in the window. They’re a good time after a couple of cocktails.
COUPLES TIP: since it’s less visited, it’s a good, quiet spot for couples, too!
📍Budapest, Wesselényi utca 26, 1077 Hungary
Opening hours: 6 pm – 1 am Wednesday/ Thursday, 4 pm – 2 Am Friday/Saturday, Closed Sunday-Tuesday
A Cocktail Treasure Map
Here are our top spots on a map to make it easy to stumble walk to!
How to use this map: Use your computer mouse (or fingers) to zoom in or out. Click on the icons to get more information about each place. Click the arrow on the top left corner for the index. Click the star next to the map’s title to add it to your Google Maps account. To view the saved map on your smartphone or PC, open Google Maps, click the menu and go to ‘Your Places’/’Maps’. If you want to print the map or see it in a bigger window, click on ‘View larger map’ in the top right corner.
If you’re a fellow cocktail-loving couple, this list is going to keep you busy during your time in Budapest, and we know you’re going to love the scene just as much as we do. If you try any bars, let us know in the comments!
Now that you know where to drink cocktails, you need to know where to drink wine because Hungary produces amazing stuff! Lucky for you, we have a wine lovers guide to Budapest!
Other Budapest posts
