Budapest has two opera houses, an orchestral concert hall at the Franz Liszt Academy of Music, several other concert halls, an operetta theatre, numerous cabarets and more than 50 theatres, including the fringe. Among them is the Merlin Theatre, which performs only in English. The greatest concentration of theatres is in district V, in Nagymezo utca, which has been nicknamed "Budapest's Broadway". Along this l00-m (328-ft) stretch there are two theatres, the Operetta Theatre, the satirical cabaret Mikroszkóp Szinpad, and the Moulin Rouge revue theatre. Film lovers are also spoilt for choice, as Budapest boasts a large number of cinemas. Városliget offers numerous attractions, including a permanent circus, funfair and zoo, complete with a number of small bars and beer tents in the summer. The youth entertainment centre, Petőfi Csarnok stages rock concerts and hosts the largest discotheque in town. Casinos and striptease clubs are the latest addition to the city's nightlife. Budapest also has its own red-light district, whose activities, although illegal, form part of a long-standing tradition.
The tourist bureau publishes two monthly bulletins. The Programme contains information in English and German, while the Budapest Panorama is in four languages, with Italian and Russian as well. Both bulletins are free and can be found in hotels and tourist information centres. They also include free-entry coupons to some casinos and nightclubs. The Programme gives full information on cultural events and entertainments being held throughout the whole of Hungary, while Budapest Panorama informs the reader only about what is happening in Budapest. Pamphlets and bulletins are often issued in connection with festivals and other special events, and it is worth keeping an eye out for the poster pillars throughout the town. The Saturday editions of all newspapers carry a calendar of events, but only in Hungarian. There is a growing number of useful websites.
Budapest has several casinos. Given their relatively recent reappearance, it is interesting that most of them occupy historical buildings next to smart hotels Players can try their hand at roulette, Blackjack, poker and the wheel of fortune at anyone of them. Bear in mind that only one- the Las Vegas Casino- is run American-style, which means that guests do not have to wear evening dress.
- Casino Budapest (Hilton Hotel) Address: Hess András tér 1-3 Tel.: 240-3000
- Casino Budapest Gresham Address: Roosevelt tér 5. Tel.:267-3145
- Casino City Address: Váci utca 14. Tel.: 338-2069
- Casino Vigadó Address: Vigadó utca2 Tel.: 317-0869
- Las Vegas Casino (Hyatt Regency Hotel) Address: Roosevelt tér 22 Tel.:266-2081
Tickets for all plays and concerts can be purchased in advance, either at the booking offices or by telephoning the venue in question direct. The most difficult to obtain are tickets to the Franz Liszt Academy of Music concerts, as these tend to be sold many days in advance. Similarly, seats at opera and operetta performances sell out quickly. The best way of securing a seat, particularly for summer performances, is via the Central Booking Office, which is located right in the centre of town at Vörösmarty tér 1. In Budapest, like any- where else, you can risk it and try buying returned tickets at the last minute. A cheap alternative, but not one for the foot weary, is to buy a standing-room pass.
At the centre of Pest, particularly along Váci utca, numerous hawkers push pamphlets on passers-by, advertising the best places for striptease and erotic dancing. The experience can be quite unpleasant financially, as even a small beer and a packet of peanuts can set you back a fortune. There are now scores of such places to choose from. None of them are cheap, but some are quite smart and offer relatively modest prices. When choosing where to go, you should consider the places that advertise in the official information bulletins published by the tourist agencies. These include. Caligula, Dolce Vita, Tiamo bar and Aphrodite Night Club. In the last-named, scantily dressed girls dance behind the glass of the display window to lure in potential guests walking by.
Budapest Great Capital Circus has been present in Városliget since 1878, but was given a permanent home only in 1971. The building is both comfortable and functional. Shows are held twice a day during the week, in the afternoon and evening, with additional morning performances on Saturdays and Sundays. It is possible to purchase tickets on the day, but it is better to book them in advance. The Funfair has an enormous merry-go-round, a scenic railway and scores of other diversions to entertain visitors. You have to pay separately for all the individual attractions, in addition to buying the entry pass, which can make it a relatively expensive outing. There is enough to do here for many hours, from visiting the haunted house to playing one-arm bandits. On the 12-ha area occupied by the Zoo, you will find over 500 animal species, as well as hundreds of exotic trees and shrubs. There is also a palmhouse and a special enclosure for elephants and hippos.
Jazz wes vary late in reaching Hungary. The best known and revered Hungarian jazz band is the Benkö Dixieland Band, which during Spring Festivals plays in various theatres and large halls. It is worth keeping an eye out around town for notices advertising their performances. The Hades Restaurant is a highly atmospheric venue where jazz is performed five nights a week A large and invariably crowded club is the Közgáz Jazz Klub, which is located at the University of Economics.
