The citation is nowadays truer than ever before. Corvin gained success as a department store in this century, and is having his golden epoch right now: it is the centre of Budapest's club scene, in every sense of the word. It is in one of the main junction points, it is visited by Hungarians as well as foreigners, it can be defined a highly popular donno-where-to-party-so-lets-go-here-surely-good-party places and still, it hasn't lost its underground touch. The magic of the Budapest underground scene: made for everyone, made with careful style.
While you sip your cocktail or afternoon beer on the vast terrace roof (tető is roof in Hungarian), take a look at the gigantic Kaiser's grocery store logo - it has become one of the emblems of the place by now.The building was inaugurated in 1926 in the mid war period, planned to be the biggest department store in the country. If its size and the quality of the goods had not been enough fascinating, the first moving stairs in Hungary, installed in 1931, surely did the job. As it was near to both the Western and Eastern Railway station, people living outside the capital could come for a "shopping tour" easier as well. It was the fashion trendsetter those times.
Sadly, it got damaged both in the war and the 1956 revolt. The Corvin Áruház came to be highly risky - the classy statues were about to fall down in any unexpected minute. Owing to lack of money, a quite pocket saving, or let us just say, trash solution was found: it was covered totally by lux-flex (architects help me, what is this?) and you can till now admire this skin on the buidling. However, it has become a trademark by now, giving all the place a retro socialist feeling which we kind of like by now.
As the party goes on on the roof, you can either choose: walk up all the stairs or you stand the queue and take the elevator. In the latter one, for those who cannot wait, a helpful guy is selling you a great variety of short drinks. Cheers.
On the 4th floor, there used to play the children of the workers of the late department store - it served as some kind of kindergarten (who says google invented the ultimate work-life balance job :) ?) Since 2007, a slightly older age groups is enjoying life's pleasures: drinking, sitting and chatting in sofas, dancing to the best Hungarian DJs. The nights, as usually in Budapest are thematic: Wednesday is the famous Rewind (drum'n'bass and a lot more)while Tuesday is more chill with some best of reggae, dancehall, hiphop. Always check out the program on internet!. Come here for beers already early evening, but do not expect the party to really rock before midnight or 1 am.
"mmmh, cheers with this pálinka"
"mmmh, yummi, almoast cosi buona come la grappa - thinks giovanni"
"nothing kills the headache better than a good old pálinka" - thinks Zita
Reviving the old department store times, a designer shop is welcoming everyone all through the night. What is more, since in Budapest we feel second hand has a special magic, Tetőcsere (literally meaning roofswap) is an initiative where you can bring your well kept old clothes and you can take away as many pieces as many you brought. The entrance fee is 500 Fts (less than 2 euros) which is drinkable :) Sounds wonderful, doesn't it?
Ah, and by the way, best lángos place to eat after the booze just in the bottom of the building.
Corvintető site
http://corvinteto.hu/
Bakonyi Zsuzsa
Most historical/retro buildings/houses are strong and doesn't get knocked down easily by natural disasters. I guess that's why they're expensive. A party at Corvin tető's roof can be labeled as a historical party too. :)
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