1980

1990

Time to be glamorous

1984 marked the start of another exciting era in the history of the café, when it reopened after extensive refurbishment under a new name, Belvárosi Kávéház – Lidó. As the name suggests, its offer was more complex than just a café, it provided exclusive entertainment options as well. In the beginning of the 1980’s Budapest’s hotel room capacity grew with 5,000 rooms and there was a need for high quality leisure, gastronomic and night life facilities for the foreign tourists visiting Budapest.

Belvárosi Kávéház – Lidó offered one-of-a-kind entertainment options throughout the day to its guests.

During lunchtime it offered a spectacular folklore show, with gypsy music by the legendary Sándor Járóka and his band, and talented folk dancers. In the afternoons the café operated as a traditional coffee house with smooth, live jazz music.

During the night the café turned into a night club. At dinner time the guests could enjoy their 3-course dinner with champagne with pleasant live music provided by a female band.

After dinner the late-night entertainment took center stage.  It was all about glitter and glamour with the amusing revue shows – starring the undisputed queen of the revues Ilona Medveczky -, and live performances of the most popular singers and bands. Guests were also entertained by dancers, acrobats and illusionists, such as the celebrated diva, Anikó Ungár.

After dinner and between the shows guests could dance on the center stage, or even try their luck at the electronic roulette tables in one of the elegant private rooms.

In the 1990’s the establishment operated as a traditional casino under the name of Imperial Casino.