The building of the old casino on lush Margaret Island sees a regular crowd just like it used to a century ago. However, people don’t arrive in fancy carriages for a round of roulette anymore, they rather come here on foot or by ship or the brave might even cycle here with a funky bringóhintó and they chill, mingle or party.
Yes, the spot is now taken over by Holdudvar, a particularly well-known cult hotspot and party haven of the Magyar capital that has just returned from its winter hibernation. Aye, the moment we’ve been waiting for, the vision of which helped us through those darn cold days and windy weeks of the darker months, is here.
No matter who you are or what you might be up to, Holdudvar’s for everyone. Do you head out on two wheels everywhere? Safe bike parking and a repair-point is available. Fancy dropping in for a fresh lemonade while dog-walking? Holdudvar’s pet-friendly. Worried that your little ones won’t be comfortable? A baby changing room and morning workshops for kids are at hand. And for the young at heart, there’s a pétanque field, table tennis and csocsó (table football). Not even workaholics can have a reason for not coming, WIFI’s available. With loads of tables outside flanked by swaying lanterns above, there’s a wine bar and a first-class kitchen, making Holdudvar a good dining spot during the day. An art gallery displays contemporary collections and stages dance performances as well as literary nights, while the indoor lounge is there for parties with DJs and shots of JDs after the sun’s down. Oh, and have we mentioned FUNZINE film clubs are held there in the summer, too? Screenings are in English with Hungarian subtitles.
Yes, Holdudvar’s signature orange lanterns are officially, wait for it, switched on!
Holdudvar is completely wheel-chair friendly.
Don’t let the Margaret Bridge construction kill your romantic stroll towards Holdudvar, hop on their Moonwalker Cruise at Jászai Mari tér (dock 8) which will take you right to Holdudvar, same goes for your way home – available on Fridays and Saturdays from 10 p.m. to 4 a.m. for 300 HUF. The ship leaves every 15 minutes.
Holdudvar – Restaurant. Bar. Garden. Gallery. Cinema.
1030 Budapest, Margaret Island
Tel.: +36.1.236.0155
www.holdudvar.net