In Budapest, where the traditional blends with the modern, you’ll find amazing nightlife. Even though many Budapest pubs are traditional and there are lots of ruin pubs, some new places now give a taste of the American West. You’ll find these Western pubs decorated old-fashioned, serving American cuisine and inviting fun to those looking to escape the history of the city. Anyone looking for a bit of the Old West or wanting to celebrate with friends or relatives can find it here.
Pubs in western style have appeared in Budapest only recently, building on the city’s interest in special experiences. Drawing on the rugged love for America seen in the 1800s, they bring to mind dusty saloons, doors opening and closing and intense cowboy tussles. These pubs appeal to locals looking for nightlife and to tourists in search of a change from visiting Budapest’s famous baths and old churches. What makes them attractive is their fun atmosphere, so you can have whiskey, ribs and maybe even learn to line dance, all in Hungary.
Entrance into a typical Western pub is enough to give the impression you’re on a cinema set. Wood on the walls, saddles hanging above the bar and Wanted posters, all having a rough effect. Cowboy hats are sometimes worn by bartenders and you may hear everything from Johnny Cash to today’s top country music. You’ll find a lot of basic American food on the menu—for example, tasty burgers, chili con carne and sticky BBQ wings served with paprika fries. There are bourbon-mixed drinks, craft beers and no-alcohol drinks for children available. A lot of pubs get people dancing with live music, encouraging guests to play darts or to take on a mechanical bull challenge.
If you’re traveling in IX District, be sure to visit Lone Star Saloon. This pub achieves a strong Western look through hay bales, ornamental cacti and a frontier saloon-inspired bar. Among their main dishes are pulled pork sandwiches and loaded nachos and they also offer black bean veggie burgers for those who avoid meat. Many people love the “Sheriff’s Special” drink which includes whiskey, ginger and lime and country bands play live most Saturdays. Desperado Pub which is located close to Andrássy Avenue, is another place I like. Mr. Smith’s has a great atmosphere for families, with a kid’s menu and a play area and it’s also popular with adults for its smoked brisket and various whiskeys. Bronco Bar in Óbuda is perfect for a different night out, with mechanical bull rides and themed quizzes to keep visitors entertained as well as colorful pictures all around.
These pubs are known for how they put together fun with an easygoing atmosphere. Though not as formal as Budapest’s big restaurants, they’re still more polite than the busy atmosphere of ruin bars. Most of them are big, so they fit groups or families well and the menus are easy for English speakers, as are the staff. There is never a boring moment thanks to both country artists singing and people line dancing.
There isn’t any strict style rule; jeans and a plaid shirt are classic, but you can wear your usual clothes. If you’re with a bigger group, make sure to get a table ahead of time, mainly for nights of special events. Eat the main attractions; a huge burger or rack of ribs is a good choice. If you haven’t listened to country music much before, the playlist could help you appreciate it and you should participate in anything fun that’s offered. The key to any Western pub is to feel the energy and enjoy what comes with being a cowboy.
Pubs in Budapest show how the city follows international patterns, yet puts its own stamp on them. The use of traditional Hungarian items like mangalica and spicy paprika makes the food exciting and still great for everyone. The city’s tolerance is shown through the peaceful coexistence of cowboy fantasy, castles that are hundreds of years old and natural warm baths.
In short, Western pubs in Budapest give visitors a fun change from usual Hungarian places, creating an American frontier-like setting in the city. If you enjoy ribs at Lone Star Saloon or test your balance on the Bronco Bar mechanical bull, you’re in for an evening of entertainment, delicious meals and fun. For your next stay in Budapest, stop by any Western pub to feel like you’re out on the plains of the U.S.
