Where to pre-drink economically in Budapest

There are plenty of great arguments for going to the fancy downtown bars, but sometimes you just don’t feel the necessity of magnificence. Of course, I would never suggest you go to a supermarket and get the cheapest wine or beer from the bottom shelves, but I encourage you to go to some afordable but cosy bars in Budapest, where you can pre-drink economically before you attend a party.

Kakas pub (Kakas Presszó)

Kakas pub is one of the most visited boozers in Budapest, and there are more of them in the Hungarian capital. There is one at Deák Ferenc Square, another at Kálvin Square, and the third one is at Móricz Zsigmond Circus. The brand’s biggest strength is the low prices. Kakas, in addition to being quite cultured, is a perfect pre-drink location, a full-night program, or a place for an after-party. Due to its versatility, it is always full of people. Thus, I suggest you book a table the day before or arrive really early on a particular day.

Előre 57

Also known as “Drink Shop Number 57” is an actual pub, colloquially “Előre 57”, and it is one of its kind. Practically everyone goes there, has come already, or is going to this place in the future, to be correct. I can’t tell much about the inner space. It is enough to know that it looks like something dull to today’s eyes, but from the 1970s and 1980s. I mean, don’t think about it as a gourmet place, but it is surely worth a try, especially if you really would like to feel like a Budapest citizen.

Hauzol Café

Hauzol Café is typically a place that we never heard about before, but recently more and more of my friends have started to check in there on social media, and it’s counting. Now, you must be asking: why? Because it is friendly, comfortable, and even a rough night with alcohol drinking will cost you about 10-15 euros. Weird, huh?

Devil’s corner (Ördögsarok)

Devil’s corner is the favourite place of university students, particularly when they run out of money by the end of the month. It is a cosy pub at Astoria, from where people usually don’t leave sober, regardless if it is a daytime or night. Still, I recommend giving it a try and don’t you let the volume and noise hold you back from going there.

Gong Café

Close to New York Palace, one of the most beautiful buildings in Budapest, there is Gong Café. It is not that fancy, but youngsters love to go there. It's name implies that it’s a café, but you should not go there to order a cup of latte macchiato. It’s more of a spot you would like to hit to drink brews all night. A glass of beer costs 1 euro, as well as 2 cl of Jägermeister. It is totally worth it, isn’t it?

Cheap downtown pubs alternatives are the essential part of the Hungarian capital’s nightlife, as you can see. There are hundreds of these bars, but it can be a little complicated to find them, if you don’t have a local to guide you. I hope I could help you to find the best options, where you can pre-drink economically on a superb night out in Budapest.