Budapest's 10 best booze outlets (2024)

Újlipótvárosis famous for its lovely small shops,andBeers & Books is a treat. As the name implies, there’s a special concept here which you won’t find anywhere else in the city. Founder György Gombkötő oropenedhis businessas an antiques store, but decided he wanted to switch a few years later… and thus Beers & Books was born. There are over 200 types of beers available, many foreign imports, but featuring Hungarian hand-crafted optionsas well. Along with, of course, books, there are also beer mugs, beer openers and beer posters for sale.

Beer & Books

District XIII. Pannónia utca 46B

Open: Mon-Fri 11am-7pm, Sat 10am-2pm

The name says it all, but this specialty beer shop offers nearly 550brews to choose from, 60% from small-batch Hungarian producers. Beerselection has been supplying thirsty patrons with choice beers for four years now. The selection of drinks spans a wide range, from simple lagers at 650forints to a special Belgian sour beer costing 25,000. Because of their close relationship with small breweries, there are often beers available here which only have a few hundred bottles commercially available.

Beerselection

District VIII. Józsefkörút 22-24

Open: Mon-Fri noon-8pm, Sat 2pm-8pm, Sun 2pm-6pm

Only good beers and nothing less – this shop was founded by Gergely Kővári, who helped usher in the Budapest beer revolution of 2011. Truly a paradise forhopheads,it stocksabout 450 options, at least a quarter of which are Hungarian. The cheapest lager is 500 forints and the most expensive item, an American barley wine, is 12,000. Staff are knowledgeable about all the beers, and can offer guidance on what to select. Whatever you’re in the mood for, you’ll find the best beer here, including seasonal Christmas specials.

Csak a jó sör!

District VII. Kertész utca 42-44

Open: Mon-Sat 2pm-9pm

This tiny wine bar is packed with options, and the professional staff are happy to find the best pairing for your Christmas dinner. The name refers to the Italian rules of origin protection, which guarantees quality. Wines are available from across Italy, including bottles arriving straight to the city from organic vineyards. Many can be sampled before purchase to ensure you’ll pick a bottle you’ll love. Whether you’re shopping for something light and fruity, or a denser, heartier red, you’re sure to find something delicious in this cosy boutique.

DOCVino Bar

District V. Arany János utca 12

Open: Mon-Sat 4pm-midnight

Located on downtown Veres Pálné utca, this bar and shop offers more than 500 spirits for tasting in-store, and over 1,100 for purchase online. Originally selling only whiskies, they now alsostockrum, tequila, gin, prosecco, calvados and cognac. Even homemade brandy and unique spirit options such as beetroot or celery can be found. The bar is attached, so Christmas shopping can be paired with some holiday cheer of your own.

Goodspirit

District V. Veres Pálné utca 7

Open: Mon-Sat 11am-midnight

Hudi Hudi is a Budapest-based distillery, producing beer, cider and soft drinks, inspired by Central Europe’s hopping craft market. Only three minutes’ walk from the Corvin Quarter,italso stocks wines, spirits and sparkling wines, as well as Norlan designer whisky glasses, a great Christmas gift. The cheapest beer can be bought for 415 forints, and the most expensive spirit tops out at 23,000.

Hudi Hudi

District VIII. Nap utca 19

Open: Mon-Fri noon-8pm

Located on downtown Arany János utca, this wine bar is playful and relaxed, while maintaining an air of elegance. Excellent Hungarianlabels are sold here at fair prices, with classics alongside experimental new brands. Whether shopping for yourself or picking a gift for a friend, the selection is comprehensive and the staff are available for recommendations. Even some small-scale beers are stocked, and a delicatessen is on-hand for sometasty cheesesand cold cuts.

MyWine

District V. Arany János utca 16

Open: Mon-Thur noon-11pm, Fri noon-11.30pm, Sat 4pm-11.30pm

Founded in 2011, Radovin currently has four stores in Budapest, but head to Böszörményi út for the largest one. Walk in and be amazed at the selection of 400 different items – and that’s just the wines! There are nearly 150 distilleries represented on the shelves. Around half of the wines are Hungarian, many from small-scale operations, so it’s possible to find a few hundred bottled specialties of the Lenkey or Csaba Török wineries. Rare foreignvarieties are also available, as well as craft beers and quality spirits.

Radovin

District XII.Böszörményi út 18

Open: Mon-Wed 10am-8pm, Thur-Sat 10am-9.30pm, Sun 10am-4pm.

Special Xmas opening hours: Sun 22 Dec until 8pm, Tue 24 Dec 9am-2pm, Tue 31 Dec 9am-4pm. Closed 25-26 Dec, 1 Jan.

The co*cktail Shop has been selling alcoholic products since 2003, and their selection can be purchased online as well as in person. A range of spirits isavailable, including cognac, tequila, mezcal and absinthe. In addition, all sorts of co*cktail accessories line the shelves, shakers, spoons, glasses, filters and boxed sets, perfect for the budding bartender. Wine- and coffee-making tools are also sold, both online and in-shop.

The co*cktail Shop

District IX. Közraktár utca 10

Open: Daily 10am-7pm

The Vino Castillo Wine House has had its webshop open forten years, where online shoppers can find the best Spanish drinks, but this past January finally saw the opening of a brick-and-mortar shop here in the city as well. Head to Dob utca and choose from more than 70 types of Spanish sparkling cava, and other specialities including vermouth and sherry. Being a wholesaler, prices are better than buying elsewhere!

Vino Castillo Wine House

District VII. Dob utca 7

Open: Mon-Sat noon-8pm