Page 290 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - Hungary

288  TR A VELLERS ’ NEEDS ENTER T AINMENT IN HUNGAR Y  289

ENTERTAINMENT IN HUNGARY Casinos were once ubiquitous DIRECTORY
in Hungary, but gaming laws
The range of cultural events and Debrecen – feature regularly on the enacted in 2012 forced most Theatres & Opera
entertainment in Hungary is wide and richly international arts calendar. Yet even of them to close; less than ten Houses
varied. It is a vibrant country where people the smallest Hungarian town usually has casinos are now licensed in the Miskolc Grand National
have always known how to have a good time, its own orchestra, dance company and whole of the country. The Theatre (Miskolci Nemzeti
same laws removed the slot
and both mainstream and more eclectic theatre, while during the summer central machines once found in almost Színház)
Déryné utca 1, Miskolc.
forms of entertainment have always been squares and plazas are abuzz with outdoor every Hungarian café and Tel (46) 51 67 35. ∑ mnsz.eu
encouraged. Music festivals – from opera in concerts, plays and other artistic happenings. bar. While the dress code at Pécs National Theatre (Pécsi
Miskolc, Baroque music in Sopron and jazz in For entertainment in Budapest see pp120–21. the casinos still in business Nemzeti Színház)
has largely been relaxed, Színház tér 1, Pécs.
visitors must purchase a token
Music, Opera, Dance of music festivals throughout “membership” in order to enter, Tel (72) 51 26 60. ∑ pnsz.hu
and Cinema Hungary, including the annual so take some photo ID. Festivals
While Budapest is home to one Jazz Days in Debrecen, and
of Europe’s finest opera houses, the Baroque and Early Music Pony riding in Budapest, one of many Debrecen Jazz Days
it does not hold a monopoly Days of Sopron, see pp34–7. Information activities for children ∑ iranydebrecen.hu
on Hungarian opera and music. Most major Hungarian cities The best listings magazines in Miskolc Opera Festival
In Miskolc, for example, the have a multiplex cinema, usually Hungary are published by Pesti aqua parks such as those in ∑ operafesztival.hu
sub lime Grand National housed within the city’s shopping Est, the famous Budapest weekly. Debre cen and Zalaegerszeg Sopron Early Music Days
Theatre often hosts excellent centre. They show a wide range Though published almost entirely (see p290). ∑ filharmonia.hu
operatic performances. During of films, some in the original in Hungarian, the colourful ads
the Miskolc Opera Festival, language. Most foreign films should be decipherable to most Spectator Sports Pubs, Clubs & Discos
held over two weeks in June, in Hungary are dubbed, people. As it is published weekly
some of the world’s best although films with subtitles in 22 Hungarian cities visitors Football (soccer) is the most Cocomo Café
performers can be seen here. only are also screened at some can find local editions of Est popular spectator sport in Zákonyi Ferenc sétány 4
Pécs also has a rich cultural cinemas, especially in Budapest. Palace Disco, a lively nightspot distributed for free in Hun gary. The domestic (Silver Court), Balatonfüred.
heritage. The city has both opera Non-Hungarian speakers in Siófok many bars, restaurants, league is highly com­ Tel (70) 330 33 78.
and ballet companies of world should opt for the angol nyelvű Nightlife hotels and shops. peti tive, and crowds Expresszó Club
renown, performing at the (English soundtrack) version. Hotel reception desks can be large. The Brusznyai Árpád utca 2, Veszprém.
National Theatre, usually Films may even be shown in While for nightlife nowhere and TourInform offices country’s best sides Tel (20) 938 04 11.
accom panied by the Pannon English with no subtitles at all – in Hungary compares to will also usually be include Újpest, Hon véd Mythos Music Club
Phil har monic Orchestra. Some these are advertised as angol Buda pest, there are plenty of happy to help visitors and Ferenc város of Szabadság tér 1, Veszprém.
of the finest choirs in Hungary nyelvű, felirat nélkül (English night spots in the regions to with information Budapest; Video ton
gather here to celebrate the language, no subtitles). The keep disco dancers and night about concerts Székes fehérvár; Palace Dance Club
grape harvest in autumn with cinemas also show Hungarian owls happy. The university cities and nightlife. Zala eger szeg; and Vécsey Károly utca 20, Siófok.
ten days of wine and song. films, both the latest releases of Szeged, Miskolc and Győr Veszprémi Est magazine Debrecen. The season Tel (30) 200 88 88. ∑ palace.hu
Veszprém, likewise, is known as a and repertory films from a are among the liveliest, with a runs August–Decem ber SunCity
musical city, and small-scale cham- time of cinematic glory, when wide range of pubs, clubs and Children and March–June. Tickets can be Fürdő utca 35, Balatonfüred.
ber concerts in the Castle District Miklós Jancsó and István Szabó nightclubs. Győr’s Vigadó Pince Hungarians of all ages love purchased from stadium ticket Tel (70) 361 93 78, or (70) 263 06
courtyard are a highlight of all received international awards Pub has live bands most nights. puppets, and most cities offices on the day. Handball is 49. ∑ suncity-balaton.hu
summer visits here. For details as directors. Veszprém, too, gets lively in the in the country have excellent also popular, and both the male Vigadó Pince Pub
evenings, with the Expresszó puppet theatres. The best are and female teams are world­class. Kisfaludy utca 2, Győr.
Club living up to its name as those at Szeged and Kecskemét, Water polo, rowing, basketball, Tel (30) 296 29 64.
buzziest venue. The Mythos which also has a toy museum gymnastics tournaments and
Music Club has either live and work shop that is very international swimming compe­ Casinos
acts or top international DJs at popular with children. Kids titions also attract crowds. Casino Sopron
weekends. During the summer of all ages enjoy narrow­gauge For details of the Hungarian Lackner K. utca 33/A, Sopron.
almost all of Lake Balaton’s and steam rail ways Formula 1 Grand Prix, see p35. Tel (99) 51 23 50.
resorts thump to the universal such as those at Bugac,
beat of Europop. Siófok espe- Balaton, Nyíregyháza Las Vegas Casino
cially can be loud and really and Kecskemét. Széchenyi István tér 2, Budapest.
quite boisterous of an evening. Horse riding is another Tel (1) 266 20 81.
The Palace Dance Club is one great way of enter­ Children
of the country’s largest, though taining children,
it is a 15-minute walk out of and you are never Aquaticum Debrecen
the town centre. A little more far from an equestrian Nagyerdei park 1, Debrecen.
sophisti cated is the north centre in Hungary Tel (52) 51 41 00.
Balaton resort of Balatonfüred, (see p292). Swimming AquaCity Zalaegerszeg
where SunCity, a cultural and pools, too, are found Fürdő sétány 2, Zala eger szeg.
party venue in Greek-style buil- across the country, Tel (92) 59 91 01.
dings, and Cocomo Café on although children
A performance at the Miskolc Opera Festival, held each year in June the beach attract the crowds. often prefer modern Flatwater Rowing Championship in Szeged

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