The bar recorded 33,640 guests through Aug. 31, broadly matching attendance during the same period last year. July was its busiest month, helped by private events.

While international visitors continue to account for most guests, the team reported a growing domestic audience and a more established base of repeat customers. More Hilton Budapest hotel guests are also choosing to visit the rooftop bar.

Ahead of the season, the team expected the Pornstar Martini, Aperol Spritz and Espresso Martini to rank among the most popular classic cocktails. Within its signature collection, “COLORS, a White Raven Panorama Palette,” staff predicted that Faded Mirage would lead sales — a forecast that proved correct.

White Raven served 22,556 cocktails during the period, including 5,712 signature drinks, representing approximately one in four cocktails sold. Faded Mirage topped the signature selection, followed by Blue Aether. Noir Etoilé, Skyline Rouge and Pure Presence were also among the collection’s most popular choices.

Demand for alcohol-free cocktails increased, confirming the team’s expectations before the season. Sparkling wine also proved notably popular.

Food played a significant role in the rooftop experience, with 20,650 portions served through the end of August. Chicken tortilla was the bestselling main dish, followed by crispy duck and coconut shrimp. While the team had anticipated strong demand for the tortilla and shrimp, the popularity of crispy duck came as a surprise.

“Developing a new food and drinks menu is always an exciting task because previous years’ experience provides valuable guidance, but it is not enough on its own,” said Tibor Bém, manager of White Raven Skybar & Lounge.

“We have to keep evolving, which is why we create new signature cocktails every season, building on a different concept each year and adapting the food selection accordingly. An important development this year was introducing an almost comprehensive alcohol-free selection. The response reinforced our belief in the importance of paying attention to new consumer needs.”

Bém said both sales figures and developments across the hospitality industry would inform the next season’s offering.

“Alongside the numbers, we continuously monitor developments in the industry and changing guest preferences, and these experiences will be our starting point when developing next year’s concept,” he said.

The popularity of signature cocktails is expected to give them an even more prominent place on next year’s drinks menu. Although classic cocktails remain an established part of summer demand, the venue’s experience points to growing interest in original creations and alcohol-free alternatives.

White Raven expects to remain open until mid-October, weather permitting, before closing for winter and reopening next April.