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The venue offers a distinctive dual concept: a refined café and patisserie during the day, and a stylish, atmospheric cocktail bar by night. With one of the city’s most diverse vermouth selections and a creative list of signature cocktails, Velvet is set to become a standout destination for both locals and travelers.
During the day, Velvet Bar & Café channels the elegance of Budapest’s classic coffeehouse culture. Guests can enjoy a wide range of premium coffees, artisanal desserts, and light bites in a calm and refined setting. As the evening falls, the ambience transforms: the lighting softens, the music shifts, and the space evolves into an intimate cocktail bar featuring live jazz and DJ performances. The bar’s signature drinks spotlight the artistry of mixology, each designed to tell a story through its ingredients and presentation.
The bar’s nighttime identity is defined by a deep appreciation for vermouth. The selection spans traditional and contemporary brands from Italy, France, and Spain, offering guests the chance to explore the fortified wine in many forms—served neat, over ice, or in bespoke cocktails crafted by the Velvet team. Highlights include The Velvet, a sophisticated blend of Red Riserva Vermouth, cherry pálinka, and bitters; Adria, a sparkling tribute to the palace with sloe gin, rosso vermouth, blackberry, and prosecco; and The Palace, which marries port, dry white vermouth, elderflower, and tonic. For a lighter twist, the Bee offers a refreshing non-alcoholic option with Tanqueray 0%, honey, and elderflower tonic.
By day, Velvet celebrates Budapest’s café heritage with an elegant dessert selection, including delicate macarons and the rotating Daily Art of Cake Trio, paired with specialty coffees and teas. The culinary experience is completed by gourmet small plates such as Sliders of Beef, Foie Gras Salted Caramel Bonbons, and Salmon Tartare, embodying modern luxury in a relaxed, approachable form. Whether for a business meeting, afternoon indulgence, or an elegant rendezvous, Velvet provides an elevated setting for any occasion.
Located in the former Kupola Bar space, the Velvet Bar & Café marks the first new signature venue unveiled since the opening of Al Habtoor Palace Budapest earlier this year. Its debut underscores the hotel’s commitment to crafting personalized, contemporary luxury experiences in the heart of the city.
“The opening of Velvet Bar & Café is more than the launch of a new venue—it’s the beginning of a transformation,” said Rahim Abu Omar, Managing Director of Al Habtoor Group. “We are blending the warmth of Arabian hospitality with Budapest’s café heritage and dynamic nightlife to create something both timeless and refreshingly new. Velvet is the first step, with more milestones yet to come.”
For reservations, guests can call +36 1 429 5757 or visit the café’s Facebook and Instagram pages.
Set in the former headquarters of the Adriatic Insurance Company, the Al Habtoor Palace Budapest features 170 rooms and 29 suites, many offering views of St. Stephen’s Basilica or Erzsébet Square. The hotel’s dining portfolio includes Ottimo Italian restaurant, the Kupola Lounge, and now the Velvet Bar & Café. Guests can unwind at the Silk Spa, featuring a naturally lit indoor pool and fitness facilities. For events, the property offers the grand Elizabeth Ballroom, five meeting rooms, and bespoke wedding services—bridging European heritage and Emirati luxury in one of Budapest’s most symbolic locations.
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