At Gundel, music and dance once played an important role alongside the cuisine. This spring, the buzz of social life is returning to the area next to the zoo: from April, the restaurant’s team will be reviving old traditions and relaunching the series of evenings featuring music and dancing.

These evenings not only encourage participants to dance, but also offer a cultural experience: ball etiquette, the history of dance, and even the 130-year-old legends of Gundel are brought to life. During the events, Andrea Keleti Every evening, a professional dancer teaches the basics of a different dance to anyone who’s interested, so even beginners have nothing to fear on the dance floor. Zsolt Lukács The presenter guides guests through the mysteries of ballroom dancing and the history of dance, including the evolution of food, clothing and music. The series of events is aimed primarily at people aged over 30 who are looking for a good time. 

The first evening of music and dance will take place on 23 April 2025, after which the series of events will continue on the last Wednesday of every month. The planned dates are: 28 May, 25 June, 30 July, 27 August and 24 September. The venue will be the Gundel Garden during the warmer months, whilst in cooler weather the event will take place inside the restaurant.  By Jenő Magyary, we learnt from Gundel’s managing director that participation in the programme is free, but it is worth booking a table in advance. Of course, dancing is not compulsory on these evenings; those who simply wish to watch the hustle and bustle are also very welcome.

These evenings also serve as a sort of preparation, as Gundel plans to host its first Gundel Ball next year with the aim of establishing a new tradition, where all those who have practised the dance steps beforehand will be able to take to the dance floor with confidence.