Hungarians are pretty inventive when it comes to transforming shabby old buildings and enormous constructions inherited from their commie comrades into atmospheric late-night drinking dens with an unpretentious and let’s face it, quite unexpected, charm.
So it might not come as such a surprise that one of the most popular party and culture spots of the capital, Corvintető, is sitting on the fourth and fifth floors of a former socialist, state-owned department store, once known as Centrum Corvin Áruház.
A long time ago little pioneers would flock here to buy their new school wear (including those ugly, loathed smocks the poor souls had to don over their regular clothes) and now this is probably the reddest and hottest bar in town with regular gigs and parties brought to you by foreign and local artists, exhibitions and theater performances at Blaha Lujza Square. The pioneers are long gone and have been replaced by a cheerful crowd of young folks, locals and tourists alike, wanting to dance the night away or just hang out with their old and newly made friends, on the top of the city.
The club, wrapped in warm, red light, is open all year round but becomes something of a multifunctional institution every time the sunny season arrives in town. The massive (600 square meters!) open-air rooftop has already opened this year, thanks to global warming, so you can chill right until 5 a.m. and watch as the sun goes down then comes up with the whole city lying at your flip-flops. As ever, the two air-conditioned rooms indoors house all-night parties practically every day, ranging from indie to electro, breakbeat to drum and bass as well as funk to reggae. For detailed info on the big bag of concerts, DJs and other events Corvintető dishes out, click on www.corvinteto.com.
And while there, Égbolt boutique, next to the cloakroom, is also well worth a visit, offering quirky Corvintető souvenirs alongside young designers’ one-of-a-kind products, including clothes, accessories and gifts.
Corvintető, Corvin Áruház 4-5th floor
1085 Budapest, Blaha Lujza tér 1-2. Entry from Somogyi Béla u.
Open: every day 7 p.m. – 5. a.m.
www.corvinteto.com