Mummy, why is New Year coming in winter and cold? Survive Happy New Year 2013 as a Hungarian

So here we are, after the end of the world (do you remember? it was 21 december 2012), sound and safe, fat after all those Christmas feasts and cookies, and in the usual winter depression. Actually, I never understood why the New Year has to come in the middle of the December-January transition full with darkness, cold, snow and depression... I'd rather have it in spring when the flowers blossom, it would make more sense, wouldn't it?... Anyway, long story short, this is how we do it today and HAPPY NEW YEAR to everyone and see what you need as a Hungarian to glide into 2013 with luck and happiness :)

Let the Festivals Begin...!

Many festivals grace the sands of our beautiful country, and with summer fast approaching it is time to start preparing! Here a few of Underguide's favorite festivals...!

Budapest Pálinka Festival 10th-13th May, 2012

The Hunyadi Court in Buda Castle plays host to the spring Pálinka Festival the aim of which is to introduce high-quality Hungarian fruit brandies, pálinka in Hungarian, to both locals and tourists.

Musical programs, concerts enhance the atmosphere during the 4-day event.

This year the focus will be on pálinkas made from apricot.

Daily tickets: 2 000 HUF includes a tasting glass, 4-day pass (includes a tasting glass): 5 500 HUF.

Opening hours: Thurs-Fri: 14.00-02.00, Sat-Sun: 14.00-24.00

More information: Budapest Pálinka Fesztivál

One little Piggy... Hungarian Pig Cutting Feast

This weekend was definitely a first for me... throughout my year in Hungary I have experienced many traditions and festivals, but non so intense as the one and only Pig Cutting.

Arriving at the Hunters Hut in southern Hungary (so far South that my phone tried to connect to a Serbian network), I really didn't know what to expect... we hopped out of the car, and before I could even stand up properly, my dog ran over to what looked like a small whale in a cage! This was by far, one of the biggest pigs I had ever come in contact with. I knew that without a doubt, that this was the last night on earth for this little pig... and soon... to be blunt about it... he would be in mine, and many others' bellies!

Janus Winery - A Vineyard like no other..!

During my time in Budapest, I have had the pleasure of tasting many wines, some good - some not so good, but a vineyard that I stuck out to me the most, not just because of the incredible taste of the wine, but the experience it brought with it, was the Janus vineyard in Villány.
My first real Janus experience brought me out of Budapest, into the wonderful region of Villány in southern Hungary, where the 'Janus Szülinapi Borzsongás' (The Janus Birthday Bash) of 2011 was happening.

The Tale of an Irishman's first Budapestian Party..

As an Irish person living in Budapest, it’s easy to see things a little differently than the the hungarians… Particularly the night life… it is safe to say that the Budapest night life is incomparable to anything I’ve ever experienced. Growing up in Dublin, Ireland, the clubs are good, some may even say great, but there are far too many ‘mainstream’ venues that flood the Dublin scene... 

I still remember the first time I discovered one of Budapest’s most underground, untainted (by this I mean not filled with drunk tourists) and absolutely authentic clubs I have ever found…  Corvintető!

Budapest Underground Partyguide - let's go open air

Last November - when started writing this guide, I designated Budapest as 'the city of open air bars'. Now, as dark winter has gone, the time has really come for the verification of this statement. Cold days seem to be finally over, and as nature wakes up and everything around you gets green, our favourite open-air places open their "doors" as well. This weekend everyone should definitely check in one of these venues, and enjoy the magical feeling of spending the night outside.

Budapest Underground Partyguide - "Me, myself and I always go to the coolest parties"

About "those clubs"...

Feeling yourself "special" and "unique" is always just a nice state of mind. Who wouldn't like to enjoy sometimes that feeling or be made to enjoy it? Budapest Underguide helps you this weekend to feel special, become a member of "those clubs", as we have collected some parties with specific topics, where only the really cool kids go!

Friday

Under 25? Still have a completely unwrinkled skin and no extra weight at all? If you meet these criteria, you'll have to choose another event than the Lollipop party in Mappa Club, as it is for the wise, mature ones over 25 this Friday!

(Don't get completely disappointed, if you're lucky, you can get your extra place on the 'undertwentyfive guestlist', just send a mail to the organizers!)

Budapest Underground Partyguide - Friday Yes, Saturday No

I think it is quite easy to spoil kids. The biggest mistake is to always let them do what they want. They never face real difficulties, things usually happen the way they want them to...

I have some good news, you won't get (very) spoiled this weekend. After a bright sunny week (that you have spent in school or in an office) weather turns cold and windy for the weekend. Also for some reason most of the great parties are on Friday, and Saturday is a little lagging behind. Anyway, be proud of staying a nice, normal person and enjoy whatever comes in its natural way!

Budapest Underground Partyguide - ps: set the clock in the night fever

British researchers have just revealed the secret of staying young & beautiful. One very important element is the lack of sleep which makes you strong and lively. Other very important one is having a few drinks at least once a week to keep your mind and imagination bright. Last but not least thing is regular physical activity – dancing, if possible – to keep your body vital.

Do you want to stay young and beautiful forever, but you don’t know where to combine all the elements in one time? I have some hints for you…

Budapest Underground Partyguide - party and work balance

Please, close your eyes and concentrate intensely...

 

What comes first to you mind, when I say the word 'Saturday'?

a) "Sleeping until noon"

b) "Having huge lunch and dinner"

c) "Spending the whole day out somewehere"

d) "Work!"

 

If you didn't choose d), I have bad news. This weekend is only one day long, Saturday is a workday - as a fast of the last 4-day-long weekend. Of course the partyguide is thinking of those lucky who don't work or just don't care about such a weird combination of 'work and Staurday'.

 

Whats up Budapest? Spa, girls and art is in the air - Regular Underground Partyguide

Boys… I am sure you love spring. Girls slip those baggy clothes & warm trousers off and change them for short skirts, high heels & nice blouses. And girls… you can’t deny you die for the vision of hot guys wearing only one shirt nicely showing their muscles.

Spring is still a few weeks away, but I know a secret place where you can see the beloved other gender already wearing these sexy outfits… That is nothing else than hot parties. Let’s see what we have for this weekend.

Friday

The Budapest New Technology Meetup Group is celebrating its 4^th birthday so what else could done than throwing a party for them. On Friday night Merlin will host all the brightest minds and coolest ideas. Let them be on their wings with a crazy party!

Whats up Budapest? Spring is coming!! - Regular Underground Partyguide

You must have noticed that recently the dark nights are getting shorter and the days are getting longer and longer. That inevitably means that winter is finally coming to an end. Okay, that was the conventional conclusion.Now, think that over! If every daytime is getting longer, statistically we must have more days in one week and consequently more weekend days! As a proof, for this week we have a 3-day weekend partyguide! Enjoy!

two girll djs in vittula

Whats up 2011? - Regular Underground Partyguide

"I will go out every weekend"

"I will check out all the new clubs and pubs in Budapest"

"I will dance when I go out"

I know....typical New Year's pledges. Now some of you might think about not taking them seriously or just drop them at the first time given. Please calm down and don't be silly, the regular partyguide is in your service in 2011 as well: it will help you commit to your party-related pledges! There it goes, the first guide of 2011. Enjoy!

Friday

There will be a special party - in more manners - on Friday night in Mono. Hundred and Twenty People is having Aera from Berlin for those who can't resist dancing to German house music. It is sadly the last night of Mono Klub (some beloved Mono parties will move to Mappa Club), so don't miss the party, make the last night a memorable one!

Whats up Budapest? - Regular Underground Partyguide

Some people love surprises, some others just freak out of them. One thing is sure, surprises are stressful, they just raise the adrenaline in your body (good or bad way, depends on you and the manifestation of the surprise as well). Xmas is really the time of surprises... Just think about that rubber-made spider you got from your little brother last year, that embroidered table cover your granny gave you, or that ceramic angel-shaped candle holder you got from your boss. For those who want to avoid the stress of surprises already one week before the Xmas rush, I have good news. We've collected some parties which will be for sure just perfect for some weekend dancing.

Whats up Budapest? - Regular Underground Partyguide

Santa Claus has already put the deserved chocolate or virgács to your boots (for being a good or bad party-kid in the past year), so it is time to get them out of the window and use them for what they have been invented by the ancient Greeks. That is walking (to a partyplace) and dancing (for nice music). Let's see where to walk and what for to dance this weekend.

whats up budapest? 3 DAYS PARTY- regular underground partyguide

I love houseparties. My friends are around, I have a quite a big influence on the DJ - or whoever is at the computer - to play my favourite song and there is always a kitchen and a bathroom to hear the latest and hottest gossip in town. The only problem with houseparties is the "missing hero"...the lack of regular houseparty organisers.  Don't be sad, we've selected for you the parties for the weekend, where nice people, cool music and a lot to happen are more than likely.
 



 Ah, and by the way, only this weekend more to go and our Mikulás (something like Santa Claus but arriving on the 6th December) is coming :))

whats up budapest? - regular underground partyguide

These boots are made for...

-regular underground partyguide-

 

Skinny jeans, an open-back dress, a 30-cm-long skirt, granny’s pullover, sexy boots, sunglasses, five types of jewelleries in one time, a glittering top... is there an odd one amongst them?

If your answer is no, i would suggest to think about it again. If your answer is yes, and you're a hundred percent sure of the correctness of your answer, i officially qualify you for going out this weekend. 

 

 

 

whats up budapest? - regular underground partyguide

Budapest is the city of ruin pubs, open-air places and festivals (well, not always, but in summer for sure). It's not summer now and I am a little fed up with ruin pubs as well, so I decided to check out where to go for some fresh dancing. I don't call it clubbing, Budapest is not really a city for clubbing, I'd rather call it just pure partying.

Don't wait for too many options or well-known DJs week by week, I can offer just some interesting venues you should check, where nice people and some promising music can be found. 

Friday - party
Saturday - party

Promising Metropolitan Party Place - SZIKRA

Sunday can be with hangover (másnaposság in HUngarian, meaning "with the next day")

I was in Szimpla (simple), no, sorry, Szikla (rock), no not even that one... Szikra (sparkle), yeah, that's it :) Szikra Cool Tour House has its opening parties series these days and we just had to check it out on this Saturday nigh fever.


We still do not get it what this place was before. Theatre for sure, cinema as well, and than for some period they had random parties or events. Now it is a very retro, yet fancy party place with a huge dancefloor. We were already hungry for something like this!

Klub Vittula - go underground

 You are in front of the shiny New York Palace (Boscolo Hotel) building, close to Blaha Lujza square. Go further back, and turn left in Kertész utca. Before, you can buy cigarettes in one of the shops, then after 5 metres if you forgot something, you can enter in the next 24 hour shop for a beer, or an ananas. 
Now you are ready to enter underground. Find the red door (which in the dark looks actually pretty black) of Vittula, mind the step and sometimes the candles and press enter.