⏱️ TL;DR – Budapest NYE 2025 Party Cheat Sheet
Where to Party, What to Pay, What Not to Screw Up
Instant–Fogas – 7 rooms, the ruin bar titan.
A38 Ship – queer-friendly, drag shows, huge sound.
High Note SkyBar Gala – from 65,000 HUF (€165+).
Dinner cruise: 32,000–98,000 HUF (€85–259)
Szimpla Kert is CLOSED on December 31.
💰 Budget Guide: Club party 3,000–15,000 HUF (€8–40) • Boat party €100–200 (40,000–80,000 HUF) • Gala dinner 65,000–100,000 HUF (€165–255) • Rooftop cocktails 15,000–30,000 HUF (€38–76)
🎉 Find Your Perfect Budapest NYE Experience
Answer 3 quick questions and I’ll match you with your ideal New Year’s Eve in Budapest
🎯 Recommended places for you:
🏆 CATEGORY 1: The Big Clubs
Akvárium Klub – “Welcome to the Jungle” NYE 2025
The underground pool complex beneath Deák Square is one of Budapest’s most versatile entertainment venues. On NYE, they offer 3 themed halls.
What do I get?
- Main Hall – Necc Party: Hungary’s biggest house party vibe, hits from the past decades
- Small Hall – Mamma Mia! The Neon Queen: Movie soundtracks and retro hits
- Lokál – Gerappaaa: 2010s pop bangers (Britney, Rihanna, Backstreet Boys)
Insider tip: Anyone arriving between 8:30-9:45 PM automatically enters the raffle – prizes include Sziget, VOLT, and Balaton Sound festival passes!
Ticket prices 2025:
- Standard ticket: ~4,000-8,000 HUF / $11-22 (+ 6% admin fee, min. 300 HUF)
- VIP (champagne + unlimited finger food 9-11 PM): ~15,000-20,000 HUF / $41-55
- Cloakroom: 600 HUF / $1.65 (mandatory)
📍 Address: Erzsébet tér 12, 1051 Budapest 🌐 akvariumklub.hu 📞 +36 30 860 3368 🚇 Getting there: M1/M2/M3 Deák Ferenc tér – about 1 min walk
Morrison’s 2 – 7 Dance Floors, Unlimited Party
Located at the foot of Margaret Bridge, Morrison’s 2 is one of Budapest’s largest downtown clubs. On NYE, all 7 dance floors are pumping.
What do I get?
- 7 dance floors with different music styles
- Karaoke room
- Heated garden
- Optional unlimited drinks package
Ticket prices 2025 (based on previous years):
- Advance ticket without table: ~3,500 HUF / $9.50 (+ 1 free cocktail!)
- Advance ticket with table: ~4,500 HUF / $12
- Same day at venue 5-9 PM: ~3,500 HUF / $9.50
- After 9 PM: ~5,000 HUF / $14
- Bronze/Silver/Gold VIP table reservation: 4,500-15,000+ HUF / $12-41+
Important: With advance tickets, quick entry is guaranteed until 10 PM. After that, expect queues!
📍 Address: Szent István krt. 11, 1055 Budapest 🌐 morrisons2.hu 📞 +36 1 374 3329 🚇 Getting there: Tram 4/6 Jászai Mari tér – 2 min walk
Instant-Fogas – The Ruin Bar Empire
Budapest’s largest entertainment venue with 7 different party zones. Full details in my Budapest Ruin Bars NYE Guide!
Quick summary:
- 7 rooms, 18 bars, open until dawn
- Everything from techno basement to pop-disco main floor
- ONE-TIME ENTRY – if you leave, you can’t come back!
- Arrive before 11 PM!
📍 Address: Akácfa utca 49-51, 1073 Budapest 🌐 instant-fogas.com 📞 +36 70 638 5040
🎧 CATEGORY 2: Electronic Music & Underground
Be Massive New Year’s Eve @ Várkert Bazár
This is Budapest’s coolest electronic music NYE party. Be Massive has been the flagship of the Hungarian underground scene for 22 years – Charlotte de Witte, Sam Paganini, and Innellea all made their Hungarian debuts here.
Why is it special?
- Venue: Várkert Bazár Event Hall – stunning 19th-century building at the foot of Buda Castle
- Line-up 2025: Metha, Dubecticut, Lenny Lenoks, Somazed, Blas
- Breathtaking visual elements
- VIP lounge option: priority entry, separate premium area
The catch: Tickets sell out in MINUTES! If you’re reading this and tickets are still available, buy immediately.
Bonus: Your ticket includes 3 hours of free parking in the Várkert Bazár underground garage (Szarvas Square entrance).
📍 Address: Ybl Miklós tér 2-6, 1013 Budapest 🌐 varkertbazar.hu 📞 +36 30 710 4814 🚇 Getting there: Tram 19, 41 to Döbrentei tér or Clark Ádám tér + elevator
A38 Ship – Garçons + Hello NYE Party
The A38, named “Best Bar in the World” by Lonely Planet, is a decommissioned Ukrainian stone-carrier ship turned concert venue. On NYE, it hosts Budapest’s biggest queer-friendly party.
Program 2025:
- Garçons + Hello + Lit New Year’s Eve
- 3 dance floors
- Drag queen shows
- Sexy dancers
- DJs until dawn
Ticket prices 2025:
- Early bird: 6,500 HUF / $18 (~€16)
- Standard: 8,000 HUF / $22 (~€20)
- Late: 10,000 HUF / $27 (~€25)
Time: December 31, 10:30 PM – January 1, 5:00 AM
📍 Address: Petőfi híd, budai hídfő, 1117 Budapest 🌐 a38.hu 📞 +36 1 464 3940 🚇 Getting there: Tram 4/6 to Petőfi híd, budai hídfő
🚢 CATEGORY 3: Boat Parties & Dinner Cruises
NYE Boat Party – Unlimited Drinks + DJ
The favorite of tourists and young travelers. 3-hour cruise on the Danube while a DJ spins the decks and drinks flow freely.
What do I get?
- 3-hour Danube cruise (Parliament, Chain Bridge, Buda Castle views)
- 5 hours unlimited drinks (beer, wine, spirits + mixers)
- Midnight snack buffet
- DJ + professional photographer
- Heated deck + open top deck
Ticket prices 2025:
- Early bird: €150-175 / $165-190
- Standard: €200 / $220
Time: December 31, 10:00 PM – January 1, 3:00 AM
📍 Departure: City Centre, near Chain Bridge
Gourmet Dinner Cruise – River Diva
A more elegant option for those who want to dine on the Danube.
What do I get?
- Gourmet dinner from a show kitchen (Chef Pál Tóth, Alabárdos restaurant)
- 3 hours unlimited drinks (wine, beer, soft drinks)
- Live music, DJ
- Heated luxury ship
Price: ~€200-259 / $220-285 (depending on package)
Budget Option: NYE Prosecco Cruise
If you’ve already had dinner in the city and just want to welcome the new year on the Danube:
- 2-hour cruise at midnight
- Unlimited Prosecco, Aperol Spritz, beer, lemonade
- Views of the private fireworks at midnight
Price: ~€49-69 / $54-76 early bird
🛁 CATEGORY 4: Bath Party (Sparty)
⚠️ IMPORTANT: Sparty is on DECEMBER 30th, NOT New Year’s Eve!
The legendary Sparty (Spa + Party) at Széchenyi Baths happens on the night BEFORE NYE, December 30th.
What do I get?
- Party in thermal pools
- DJs, laser show, fire show
- Electronic music
- 9:30 PM – 2:00 AM
Ticket prices 2025:
- Standard (early bird): €59-69 / $65-76 (locker)
- Premium: €79-87 / $87-96 (locker + 3 drink coupons + warmup party)
- Express: €121-139 / $133-153 (fast entry, cabin, slippers)
Door price: 28,000 HUF / $77 (~€70) – but often sold out!
📍 Address: Állatkerti körút 9-11, 1146 Budapest 🌐 spartybooking.com 🚇 Getting there: M1 Széchenyi fürdő
Insider tip: Sparty sells out by mid-December EVERY year. If you want this, book NOW!
🌃 CATEGORY 5: Rooftop Bars & Elegant Venues
High Note SkyBar – Gala Dinner Above the Basilica
Featured on Condé Nast Traveller’s “World’s Top 10 Rooftop Bars” list, High Note sits atop the Aria Hotel with direct views of St. Stephen’s Basilica.
NYE Program 2025:
- 6-course gala dinner paired with wines
- Live music: Lucy Márkus and her show band
- Dancing, DJ on the rooftop from 10 PM
- Bogányi designer grand piano
Price: Approximately 80,000-120,000 HUF / $220-330+ per person (based on 2024 prices)
📍 Address: Hercegprímás u. 5, 1051 Budapest 🌐 highnoteskybar.hu 📞 +36 20 438 8648 📧 stay@ariahotelbudapest.com
360 Bar – Panorama with Igloos
In winter, cozy up in heated igloos while sipping cocktails with 360-degree Budapest views. Fully booked on NYE – reserve ahead!
📍 Address: Andrássy út 39, 1061 Budapest (atop Párizsi Udvar building) 🌐 360bar.hu 💰 Cocktails: ~4,000-5,500 HUF / $11-15
Leo Rooftop @ Hotel Clark
At the Buda end of the Chain Bridge, offering a unique combination of Buda Castle and Pest panoramic views.
📍 Address: Clark Ádám tér 1, 1011 Budapest 🌐 hotelclarkbudapest.hu
🍽️ CATEGORY 6: Gala Dinners
Kempinski Hotel Corvinus
ÉS Bisztró – 5-course dinner with live music
- Price: 65,000 HUF / $180 + 15% service charge
- Dinner 7:30-9:30 PM, then party at Blue Fox bar
Champagne Salon – 6-course dinner with bottomless champagne until midnight
- Price: 90,000 HUF / $248 + 15% service charge
📍 Address: Erzsébet tér 7-8, 1051 Budapest 🌐 kempinski.com
Four Seasons Gresham Palace
KOLLÁZS Brasserie – 5-course gala dinner with live entertainment MÚZSA – Champagne countdown, Asian hors d’oeuvres, ballet performance
📍 Address: Széchenyi István tér 5-6, 1051 Budapest 🌐 fourseasons.com/budapest
Aranybástya – Dinner in the Heart of the Castle
Panoramic terrace overlooking the Danube and the city. Front-row seats to the midnight fireworks!
- Arrival and champagne reception: 8:00-9:00 PM
- Gourmet dinner: 9:00 PM-1:00 AM
- Live string ensemble
📍 Address: Fortuna u. 21, 1014 Budapest (Buda Castle) 🌐 aranybastya.com
New York Café
Budapest’s most famous, most opulent café with a special NYE menu.
📍 Address: Erzsébet krt. 9-11, 1073 Budapest 🌐 newyorkcafe.hu
💰 PRICE COMPARISON TABLE 2025
Budapest Nightlife & Party Prices (2025 Guide)
Rough price ranges for clubs, boat parties, bath parties and gala dinners in Budapest. Expect higher prices for New Year’s Eve and special events.
Club
Akvárium
Entry, VIP option
4,000–20,000 HUF
$11–55
Club
Morrison’s 2
Entry + cocktail
3,500–15,000 HUF
$10–41
Club
Instant–Fogas
Entry (free / paid event)
0–10,000 HUF
$0–27
Underground
Be Massive
Entry, VIP option
8,000–25,000 HUF
$22–69
LGBTQ+
A38 Garçons
Entry, 3 dance floors
6,500–10,000 HUF
$18–27
Boat party
Boat Party
5h unlimited drinks, DJ
70,000–80,000 HUF
$190–220
Boat dinner
River Diva
Dinner + drinks + music
80,000–100,000 HUF
$220–275
Boat budget
Prosecco Cruise
2h + unlimited prosecco
20,000–28,000 HUF
$55–77
Bath party
Sparty (Dec 30!)
Pool, DJ, show
24,000–56,000 HUF
$66–154
Rooftop
High Note
6 courses + wine + music
80,000–120,000 HUF
$220–330
Hotel gala
Kempinski
Dinner + champagne
65,000–90,000 HUF
$180–248
Hotel gala
Four Seasons
Gala + live music
80,000–150,000 HUF
$220–413
🚌 TRANSPORTATION ON NYE
Good news: Public transport runs ALL NIGHT on December 31st!
Metro:
- M2, M3, M4: Last train ~1:00 AM, resume ~4:30 AM
Night trams:
- Tram 4 and 6: Every 3-4 minutes until 2:00 AM, then every 5 minutes until dawn
- This line connects all the major party districts!
Taxi/Rideshare:
- Bolt – The most popular app in Budapest
- Uber – Back in Hungary since June 2024
- ⚠️ Expect SURGE PRICING after midnight – prepare for 2-3x normal rates!
Tip: Download the BudapestGO app for public transport.
⚠️ SAFETY TIPS
- Pickpockets are active – Especially in the crowded ruin bar district. Wallet/phone in FRONT pockets!
- Don’t leave drinks unattended – Unfortunately, it happens.
- Check your bill – Sometimes they “accidentally” add tips.
- Dress in layers – Outside -1°C to +4°C (25-39°F), inside it gets hot.
- Shoes: Comfortable, closed-toe – cobblestones + puddles + cold = not a high heels kind of night.
- Meeting point: Agree BEFOREHAND where you’ll meet if you get separated.
📅 WHEN TO BOOK?
When Do Events Sell Out? (Heat Meter 2025)
🟢 Chill You have time 🟡 Warm Book soon 🔴 Hot Book now or cry later.
Underground
Be Massive
Sells out in minutes when tickets drop.
If you see a ticket: buy first, think later.
🔴 HOT
Book: If available, NOW
Bath Party
Sparty
Typically gone by mid-December.
NYE-week dates disappear first, then regular Saturdays.
🔴 HOT
Book: NOW
Dinner Cruise
Danube Dinner Cruises
Sell out around early December.
Prime-time, window seats, and live-music options go first.
🟡 WARM
Book: Late November
Rooftop Gala
High Note SkyBar Gala
Commonly full by Dec 15.
Tiny capacity, huge demand, serious FOMO.
🔴 HOT
Book: NOW / Early Dec
Hotel Galas
Luxury Hotel New Year’s Galas
Often full by Dec 20.
The most popular seating times and view tables go first.
🟡 WARM
Book: Early December
Clubs
Regular Club Tickets
Rarely sell out in advance.
New Year’s Eve is busier, but you’ll usually find something.
🟢 CHILL
Book: Dec 20–30
⏱️ TL;DR – BOOKING WARNING
When Should You Book Budapest Parties?
✓ Safe strategy
Book your top 1–2 “must-do” events by early December, keep one spontaneous night free for ruin bars.
✗ Risky move
Waiting until you arrive in Budapest to book Sparty, Be Massive, High Note, hotel galas. By then, the good stuff is usually gone.
Bottom line: Decide your one big splurge (gala/cruise/Sparty) at home, book it early, then keep the rest of your nights flexible for bars, clubs and last-minute plans.
Zoli’s Insider Tips – Budapest December
How Locals Actually Do New Year’s in Budapest
Pick one “big ticket” experience (Sparty, cruise, gala, rooftop) and lock that in early. Everything else can stay spontaneous.
Don’t underestimate Dec 30 – Sparty + pre-NYE partying often feels more fun (and slightly less chaotic) than the 31st itself.
Skip overpriced “NYE menus” on Váci utca. Choose a good bistro for dinner, then move on to ruin bars or a pre-booked party.
If you’re doing a Danube cruise, bring layers. The best photos are taken outside, and the wind off the river is savage in December.
For truly flexible plans, aim for one structured night, one semi-planned night, and one totally free night. Budapest nightlife rewards people who wander.
🗓️ THE PERFECT NYE SCHEDULE
If you’re the romantic dinner type:
- 7:00 PM – Dinner at High Note or on a cruise
- 11:30 PM – Dessert while counting down
- 12:30 AM – Walk to Chain Bridge, watch private fireworks
- 1:30 AM – Nightcap at 360 Bar (if you can handle it)
If you’re a party animal:
- 6:00 PM – Dinner at Mazel Tov
- 8:30 PM – Instant-Fogas, room reconnaissance
- 11:45 PM – Position yourself in your favorite space
- 12:00 AM – BOLDOG ÚJ ÉVET! (Happy New Year!) 🎉
- 12:30-4:00 AM – Room hopping
- 4:00 AM – Street food at Karavan
- 5:30 AM – Home on tram 4/6
If you’re an underground techno fan:
- 8:00 PM – Light dinner in the city center
- 10:00 PM – Be Massive @ Várkert Bazár (if you got tickets)
- 12:00 AM – Dancing at the foot of the Castle
- 5:00 AM – After at Lärm techno basement in Instant
If you’re going with LGBTQ+ friends:
- 9:00 PM – Cocktails at Why Not Café (warming up)
- 10:30 PM – A38 Ship – Garçons party
- 12:00 AM – Drag show and countdown on deck
- 5:00 AM – Dawn on the Danube
❓ FAQ
Q: Is there official fireworks in Budapest on NYE?
No. The big state fireworks are on August 20th. On NYE, there are only private fireworks. But don’t worry – there are plenty of them everywhere!
Q: What about Szimpla Kert?
CLOSED on December 31st! Full details in my ruin bar NYE guide.
Q: Which should I choose: Akvárium or Instant-Fogas?
- Akvárium: Cleaner, more organized, mainstream pop/retro, central location (Deák Square)
- Instant-Fogas: More chaotic, ruin bar atmosphere, more music variety, “authentic” party district
Q: Is it safe to go alone?
Budapest is generally safe. The party district is well-lit and police patrol regularly. Basic precautions: don’t leave drinks unattended, share your location with someone.
Q: What’s the age requirement?
All clubs are 18+, ID (passport or ID card) is mandatory!
Q: What if I miss Sparty?
It’s on December 30th, not 31st. If you’re only in Budapest on NYE, you’ll miss it unfortunately. But on January 1st, you can visit Széchenyi or Rudas baths – it’s a local tradition to start the new year in thermal water!
