Gay and Lesbian Budapest
The gay and lesbian community in Budapest has witnessed great improvements to their social status since 1990, the fall of the Communist regime. Being gay is now socially and legally accepted, and this helps „coming out", or admitting to one's environment the fact about their sexuality.
Today the gay community in Budapest is rather open, as opposed to the past's secrecy. The annual Gay Pride Festival has been organized every year since 1993, with a street march and various parties afterwards. There are about a dozen bars and clubs in Budapest that are visited mostly by gay people, and there are special saunas, clubs and even places to stay that specialize in gay travel. The Hungarian Parliament has passed a law in 2007 that allows gays and lesbians to live together in a "registered relationship".
Gay bars
- Action - V. Magyar u. 42. cruising for men only, www.action.gay.hu
- Cafe Smile - VII. Nagydiófa u. 17.
- CoXx - VII. Dohány u. 38. - cruising bar for men only with special parties. www.coxx.hu
- Habroló Bisztró - V. Szép u. 1/b. - Nice and tiny place. www.habrolo.hu
- Mylord Café - V. Belgrád rkp. 3-4. - A very pleasant place at the bank of the Danube. More gay visitors in the evening.
- Le Café M - V. Nagysándor József u. - Medium size, friendly place with Internet facility, which is suitable for providing information for foreigners. www.mysterybar.hu
Clubbing
- Pure - the biggest gay party in Budapest. Check their site for dates and location. www.pure.i-shop.hu
- Candy - gay party in a small Buda club, check their site for dates and location. www.candybudapest.com
- Bohemian Alibi - IX.th Üllői út 47. - mixed disco with drag shows. www.clubbohemian.hu
- Capella Café - V. Belgrád rkp. 23. - Disco with two dancefloors. Not gay, but with drag shows. www.capellacafe.hu
- Alterego bar & lounge (VI.distr. Dessewffy Street 33.) the most exclusive and exciting gay club with a transvestite and live show in Budapest. The club is visited by the hottest gay crowd from Wednesday to Saturday.
Lesbian parties
- Living Room - V. Kossuth Lajos u. 17. - Lesbian party on the last Saturday of the month.
- Jailhouse - IX. Tűzoltó u. 22. - Lesbian disco on the last Saturday of the month from 10.00 p.m. Lesbian and hetero party on the first Friday of the month.
Gay -friendly restaurants and cafés
- Eklektika - VII. Nagymező u. 30. - The unofficial lesbian café of Budapest, also popular with gay men.
- Amstel River Café - V. Párisi u. 6. - Dutch-style café and restaurant in Dutch ownership.
- Club 93 Pizzeria - VIII. Vas u. 2. - One of the oldest "gay" restaurants with plenty of pizza and pasta.
Accommodation
- Connection Guesthouse - VII. Király u. 41., www.connectionguesthouse.com
- Lindenmann Apartmentshouse - VII. Klauzál tér 8., www.gaybeach.hu
- Gayguide.net room rentals www.gayguide.net
- KM Saga residence , www.km-saga.hu
- Differently appartments , www.budapest-gay.com
Useful information
- Navégre (At last) Free gay monthly magazine with the latest information. Available in gay bars,clubs and saunas. It has an English language section, gayguide and calendar of events. www.navegre.hu
- Gay helpline (Hatter) Phone: 06-1- 329-3380 from 6.00 to 11.00 p.m everyday.
- Toucan Tourist - XIII. Radnóti Miklós u. 15/b. - Gay travel agency, www.toucantourist.hu .
- Astoria Fitness Center - V. Károly krt. 8. - Gay friendly fitness. www.astoriafitness.
Sex shops
- Sex shop - VII. Dob u. 11.
- Connection Sexshop - VIII. Berzsenyi Dániel u. 3., www.connectionbt.hu , www.szexplaza.hu
- Erotik Center - XIII. Hegedűs Gyula u. 1., www.erotikcenter.hu
- L'amour Gay Movie& Szexshop - VI. Király u. 72., www.szex-shop.hu
- GAYDVD www.gaydvd.hu
Gay web pages
www.budapest.gayguide.net
www.pride.hu
www.gay.hu
www.labrisz.hu (for Lesbian)
www.femfatal.hu (for Lesbian)
www.otkenyer.hu : Christian gays (In Hungarian: "five pieces of bread")
www.gaydanube.com (Gay Accommodations in Europe)
www.hatter.hu
