"It's a great little spot on the Buda side just off the Széchenyi lánchíd (Chain Bridge)"
In December 1998 we had in mind a place where, alongside discerning jazz or rock music, amid pretty but unpretentious surroundings, you could chat with your friends, your lover or your colleagues, where there were always fresh flowers in the window, where they knew as soon as you walked in how you liked your coffee, what kind of beer you drank, or which was your favourite table… and we hope we succeeded.
In any case, we would never have got there without you, filling the place with life and atmosphere - you’re the reason we put the flowers out.
So come along, we’d be happy to see you!
If you’re standing on the Buda side of the Chain Bridge on Clark Ádám tér, facing the Tunnel with the bridge to the back of you, look right and you’ll see the neon sign. It’s a ten-minute walk from Batthyány tér.
And if you’re coming from elsewhere? The train from Pécs or from Lake Balaton goes to Déli Station, then red metro line 2 runs to Batthyány tér – or walk ten minutes to bus 105 and ride four stops. It’s even easier from Frankfurt or Los Angeles, the taxi from Ferihegy airport will drop you here. In fact, we’ve just remembered, there’s an affordable flat upstairs, and beautiful hotels Carlton , Victoria , Art'otel , Lánchíd 19 ).
To cut to the chase: trams 19 and 41, buses 16, 86 or 105, and the 921 nightbus, all stop at Clark Ádám tér. And if you are totally lost: here's a map.
So what can you hear and what can you see?
During the day, stir your coffee to discerning jazz albums. As evening falls, and you switch to beer, the music changes to classic rock and blues sounds and concert films. We won't list all the bands, suffice to say
THE SONG REMAINS THE SAME...
Our photographs have mainly been chosen from the 1950s and 1960s.
Robert Doisneau and Louis Stettner remind us of the Paris of their day. Zoltán Hajtmanszki and other Hungarian artists and enthusiasts bring to life the faces of Budapest. The city is full of colour. It always was, and even in the everyday life of its greyest times you see radiance in people, in lovers, in folks at play and at work.
Éva and Robi