We almost named our site Cocktail Craving Couple since visiting new cocktail bars while traveling is one of Caleb’s and my favorite activities! Budapest is well-known for its nightlife, but it offers much more than clubs and ruined pubs, and the cocktail scene is among our favorites in Europe!
If you’re looking for the perfect place to wind down after a long day of sightseeing, you’ve come to the right place! When we were in Budapest, it was our objective to uncover the best cocktail bars! I believe we nailed it.
Best Cocktail Bars in Budapest:
We understand that everyone defines the “best” differently, so we’ve organized this guide by what we believe each bar is best for. You can’t go wrong with any of the options here. Let’s get to it!
1. Warm-Up Bar: For The Adventurous
We believe this is the best cocktail bar in Budapest, and perhaps even Europe. The interior is gloomy and has purple lighting throughout, giving it a “ruin bar” vibe but without the lousy, cheap highballs and inebriated 20-year-olds.
But what we appreciate is that there is no menu (well, there is, but it’s largely for individuals who are nervous about leaving things to chance), so you just tell the waiter what you want and they surprise you with a bespoke drink.
We’ve had some of our favorite drinks in the world here (one of the nicest things we’ve spent money on, to be honest), plus it’s in District 7, our favorite neighborhood in Budapest to stay in.
Budapest, Nagy Diófa u. 26, 1072 Hungary.
Opening hours: 7 pm – 1 am on Sundays and Wednesdays, and till 2 am on Thursdays and Saturdays.
2. Boutiq Bar: For Theatrical, Instagrammable Cocktails
We initially went to this funky, all-red-and-black cocktail bar after seeing it on a list of the 50 best cocktail bars in the world (which you should reference every time you travel), and it did not disappoint! It’s a pioneer in Budapest’s cocktail industry, and the cocktails are exquisitely prepared.
We once had one where the waiter snapped a surprise Polaroid selfie of us and glued it to the glass, and I once had one where the fire was lit and a marshmallow was roasted over it.
Taylor’s Tip: While the drinks are innovative, they aren’t as creative or as wonderful as others on the list, but they are still delicious and the craziest-looking, if that’s what you’re after.
📍 Paulay Ede u. 5, 1061 Budapest.
Hours of operation: 6 p.m. to midnight on Wednesdays, 6 p.m. to 1 a.m. on Thursdays, and 6 pm
3. Tuk Tuk Bar: For Unique Flavors
Tuk Tuk Bar is one of Budapest’s coolest bars! It’s modest and quiet, with VERY UNIQUE Asian-inspired drinks that remind us of the flavors we tried in Asia. Their hot, tea-inspired cocktails are very good.
We had the same waiter all three times we came here, and she was cool and friendly. Caleb wanted to taste their pandan drink, but they were usually out. She remembered to email us once before our reservation to let us know they were still unavailable. SUCH excellent service!
We tried about everything on the menu, and it was all fantastic!
📍Budapest, Paulay Ede U. 31, 1061 Hungary
Opening hours: Every day from 5 p.m. to midnight, except on Wednesday, when it is closed.
4. Hotsy Totsy: For a Cozy, Romantic Night
This is Budapest’s best pub for romance, and it was literally across the street from our apartment, so we almost lived there. There’s no shame in our cocktail game! If you want to do something romantic in Budapest, head here!
You enter through a little door that leads down into what appears to be a cave, and the atmosphere is dark, humid, and speakeasy. Everything is brick with black and red accents and low lighting, giving it a snug yet seductive atmosphere ideal for canoodling the night away. Do people still say “canoodling”? I digress.
It’s cool since their menu is made up of different playing cards, each of which is categorized into different types of drinks. The staff was incredibly pleasant and helpful, and they prepared me a delicious lemon, honey, basil, and gin cocktail from the menu!
📍 Budapest, Sáp u. 24, 1075 Hungary
Opening hours: Sunday through Wednesday, 6 p.m. to 12 p.m., and Thursday through Saturday, until 2 am.
5. Black Swan: For a Trendy, Speakeasy Vibe
Black Swan is a must-see destination. It’s incredibly seductive and opulent, with low lighting, red velvet everything, and a high, illuminated bar. It has this “speakeasy vibe” going on.
They have a long list of interesting cocktails, but they do not specify the base spirit, which we dislike; instead, they list the taste profiles. When we asked, they were unwilling to inform us about the base spirits, which annoyed me because I dislike a few popular bases.
Caleb’s creation had pandan, cacao, and wasabi, which were both balanced and wonderful, and I had a delicious apple/mint/aquavit combination!
It is the most costly spot on the list, but just by a dollar or two!
Look for the entrance set into a firewall with a picture of a black swan.
📍 Klauzál Utca 32, 1072 Budapest.
Opening hours: 6 p.m. – 2 a.m. Wednesday through Saturday, until midnight Tuesday and Sunday, and closed Monday.
6. High Notes: For Cocktails with a View
This cocktail bar is located on the 7th level of the Aria Hotel and charges a fee for the view. It’s one of those expensive restaurants (more so than other cocktail bars), but they know you’ll pay for the view of St. Stephen’s Basilica. Condé Nast named it one of the top 15 greatest rooftop bars in the world!
The cocktails are good, with both innovative and classic alternatives. Don’t expect the most epic flavors, but if the view is what matters to you, this is the place to go.
Budapest, Hercegprímás u. 5, 1051 Hungary.
Opening hours are 4 p.m. to midnight Monday through Thursday and 2 p.m. to midnight Friday through Sunday.
7. Neverland Escape Room: For a Full Experience
Yes, it functions as both an escape room and a bar. You can either sit and drink or purchase cocktails and carry them into the escape room while you tackle the puzzles. The beverage menu is broad, moderately priced, and extremely distinctive! They are sweeter but still wonderful.
We created a truly wonderful Harry Potter-themed room, which is one of the most popular themes, although they have a lot of them. We were apprehensive that it wouldn’t be enjoyable with only two people, but we liked it! It would be enjoyable as a group, however.
Budapest, Dohány u. 22-24, 1074 Hungary.
Opening hours: Sunday through Thursday: 9 a.m. to 12 a.m., and Friday and Saturday till 2 a.m.
8. Seven – For a Hidden Gem
Seven is a distillery in Hungary’s Tokaj region that has just opened a bar serving its spirits. They have a range of very interesting signature drinks, as well as a large menu with all of the classics. We like that the menu included a diagram illustrating the balance of sweet, sour, alcohol, fresh, and other ingredients in each drink.
If you want somewhere a little quieter and “off the beaten path,” this is the place for you.
Pro tip: attempt to fit the swing seats in the window. They’re a good time after a few drinks.
Budapest, Wesselényi utca 26, 1077 Hungary.
Opening hours: 6 p.m. to 1 a.m. Wednesday/Thursday, 4 p.m.-2 a.m. Friday/Saturday
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!
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