Sauna & gay scene in budapest

Rudas baths has been rumoured to be a mixed/straight gay spot for many years and possibly also Kiraly (King) baths - both from the Turkish era.  Rudas is an easy walk from the Gellert Hotel (10 mins maybe).  Kiraly is further away (take you 40-50 mins to walk perhaps).  Margit Sziget (Margaret Island) is also supposedly a gay place but I don't know for sure. You'd need to take some transport to get to Margrit Hid (Bridge), then walk a short distance.

To get to the hotel, you've got plenty of choice: taxi, shared minibus etc.
There's a metro line 4 station there as well.  You can easily Google it or check the airport web site Budapest Airport

Hi thanks for information.

Do you know if there is a gay/bi chat in Budapest to arrange meet up n for fun etc.. ??

Or any other internet service to chat to locals there who are Gay/n bi?

Thanks

Amit74 wrote:

Hi thanks for information.

Do you know if there is a gay/bi chat in Budapest to arrange meet up n for fun etc.. ??

Or any other internet service to chat to locals there who are Gay/n bi?

Thanks

No idea at all.  Maybe Grindr? 

Language is always going to be a problem I would think.

The Hungarian description for a gay person is "meleg" which means "warm".  So if someone is "a bit warm" they are considered to be a gay person.   Doesn't of course mean to say they are actually gay! 

You could possibly try things in German as quite a few people know German but perhaps they might not understand the slang.  "Schwanz" is slang for male genitalia, "Schwuler" is a gay (man).  There's also a phrase which from memory is something like "wäscheträger" which to me looks like "Laundry Carrier" but I have no idea what it actually means (for gay people).

There are some gay pubs but I don't know where they are. Obviously if you manage to find someone, then they can show you the right places.

There's a LGBTI NGO here: LGBTI in Hungary.  They will know perhaps something else to help you.   Lots of stuff here: Budapest Gay Guide

Thank you soo very much did the advice and information..its much appreciated.

Thanks

Hey Amit.
There's a nice gay café/bar called "Why Not!" which overlooks the Danube, closest metro Fovam tér. They do snacks/toasties etc and coffee, plus of course wine and beer. Open every day I think. During the week they do a karaoke night and a bingo night, but it seems quite popular.
There's also couple of small bars one called Habrolo and the other is called Funny Carrot. I've a feeling Funny Carrot may have closed down but not sure, but they are next door to each other anyway. They are not far from Astoria. Lots of locals. Being a smaller bar if you sit at the bar it's easy to get chatting to people and meet new friends.
Coxx is another bar open every day, but more for after 11pm and cruising. It's on Dohany utca I think, so between Astoria and Blaha.
For a dance, Alter Ego is a night club open on Friday and Saturday nights only. Most of the crowd are 18-25. Music a bit cheesy but normally really popular and can be good fun!
For Gay saunas there are two. I think the bigger one is called Magnum, and there's also one called Sauna 69. I've no experience of them so it's a case of just trying them out. Google them...
I think Wave Club on Margaret Island is an open air gay night each Saturday - though it may only be a summer thing and may come to an end.
There are also special gay nights which happen now and again. One of the popular ones is called Garcons, and Facebook is the best way of finding when the next event is on. Search "Garcons Budapest". For example September 9th they have one at a club called Kasino near Vorosmarty ter. They tend to be massive and normally have two live DJs.
Other clubs/pubs you may see listed I think probably have closed down. E.g. Madrid, Action Bar, Capella, Tutu. New places may open and only run for a few months.
Ankert used to do a gay night each Friday but I think they may have stopped it. There also used to a night called "Hello" but again I think it stopped.
Also, search online for Humen Magazine. I think they are still doing a monthly magazine with info on the gay venues and parties (some in Hungarian but the listings are in English). "Why Not!" pub normally have copies and they often put them online - though I can't see a September one yet.
Oh there's also a "Why Not! Bistro" recently opened, which is a gay friendly bistro restaurant along the same stretch overlooking the Danube 5 mins walk up from Why Not! café bar.

I am amazed by the replies from evidently straight folks helping a tourist exercise his gay hormones -- kudos to the group!

I can verify the 2 szaunas -- Magnum and 69.  I prefer 69 myself.
The baths should probably be avoided, unless to actually enjoy the thermal baths.

A simple google search will answer most questions and allow the OP to find a hideout that fits his personality...
http://visitbudapest.travel/guide/gay-budapest/https://www.travelgayeurope.com/destina … -budapest/http://www.budapest.com/city_guide/gay_budapest.en.htmlhttps://www.nighttours.com/budapest/

Good luck!

Good links Vicces1, your Travel Gay Europe one in particular seems to be kept up to date:
https://www.travelgayeurope.com/budapes … s-parties/

Let me just share my experience here in Bp.
While the gay scene is accepted to exist in Bp, I would not make the mistake of thinking gays are accepted on the street. Sure it comes down to individuals but I can tell you that on the streets, I haven't seen any gays holding hands or kissing in public.  Behind the closed doors of these clubs, szaunas, and bars however is a very much more open atmosphere. My suggestion only refers to my experience that you can be as gay as you want in closed gay night clubs, with restraint at gay cafes and bars, but bottle it up somewhat in every day life on the streets.
I will say that PDAs of the hetero sort are also often not appreciated, so this is not particularly surprising advice.

Vicces1 wrote:

I am amazed by the replies from evidently straight folks helping a tourist exercise his gay hormones -- kudos to the group!...

Why thank you! 

As a bit of a left leaning liberal, personally I like to think of myself as an ally for the LGBTI community, anyone suffering oppression (incl. the refugees), the CEU and NGOs.    I've just been on a course on "bridging divides" which talks about becoming an active ally.

I lived in The Netherlands on and off since 1987 and I worked with many gay people, lived next door to a couple of lesbians who were really nice normal people.  Note I said people.  Netherlands is a really enlightened place that's uber-tolerant.  Basically, the word is, who the hell cares?!  Dutch say: Leven en het Leven - Live and Let Live!

In the atmosphere of the current Hungary, all I can shout is:  Life, Liberty and Happiness For All!

I spent a very short time living in the Netherlands myself and one of the best quotes I've ever heard from a Dutchman, given their proclivity for acceptance of diversity, was, "We are tolerant of everything, except intolerance".
This was spoken in early 2000 or so, and was actually a reference to those (mostly previous colonists) coming into NL at that time without much respect for National and local culture and customs.  Obviously well before any current discussions regarding immigration.

Thank you Fluffy and best wishes to the Fluffiettes!

PS - Did you ever get to make your "She-shed" for them?

Vicces1 wrote:

...... "We are tolerant of everything, except intolerance".
...Thank you Fluffy and best wishes to the Fluffiettes!

PS - Did you ever get to make your "She-shed" for them?

Great quote!  Gotta love the Dutch!

Actually the "shed" is on hold pending us winning the lottery!

Hi everyone
Thank you all so very much for the info.  I'm in Budapest from 25th Sept for 4days.. staying galert soa hotel.. if anyone is keen yo meet fir drink etc plz let me know.

I'm bi n just wanted to explore Budapest and travel for sightseeing.. would be good to meet up.
Thanks

Hi everyone and thank you all for the info.

I'm staying from 25th Sept for 4nights in Budapest st galert hotel.  If anyone is keen and wants to meet up for drinks or go to local pub plz let me know where we can go.. or meet me outside hotel n go somewhere etc..

I'm very easy going n looking frd to my sightseeing n bath experience etc in Budapest.

I look frd to here from you shortly.. n if keen to meet up etc.. will be good.

Kindest regards

Hi everyone and thank you all for the info.

I'm staying from 25th Sept for 4nights in Budapest st galert hotel.  If anyone is keen and wants to meet up for drinks or go to local pub plz let me know where we can go.. or meet me outside hotel n go somewhere etc..

I'm very easy going n looking frd to my sightseeing n bath experience etc in Budapest.

I look frd to here from you shortly.. n if keen to meet up etc.. will be good.

Kindest regards

Fluffy thank you for your information.  Much appreciated

Anyone around in Budapest from 25th Sept to meet up etc.. if so plz drop me a message will appreciate .

Thanks

Hi just a quick email to ask if any one who is bi/ gay or straight keen to meet up from 25th Sept I'm in Budapest for 4days.

Any suggestions thnks

There's a new bus service 100E from the Airport to the city centre, it costs 900 forints. Take that bus to Kálvin tér and then take any tram to Gellért tér for 2 stops, or just walk and cross the bridge. It's really not far.

Budapest gay nightlife is very scattered due to the lack of gay bars. So if you want to find a party, you should check out www.qalendar.hu

Good to know about the 100E.  Useful to switch at Kalvin for Metro 4 as well as this would take you to Kelenfold for trains West to Gyor or Vienna.