Fogasház: something to sink your teeth into...

One of the many things Budapest is famous for is its numerous art bars (‘romkocsma’ – literally translates to ‘ruin pub’). These places are located in buildings due to be demolished and are usually short-lived and constantly moving locations. Their magic lies mostly in their temporariness. When I entered Fogasház my first impression was that it was just another one of them, offering visitors drinks and deviant atmosphere. Soon it turned out that there was more to the place than what I thought at first sight.

Fogasház is a relatively new pub, it opened only this August in the 7^th district (VII. Akácfa utca 51.) If walking down the street you see a sign of a set of dentures, look no further. The door under the sign leads not to the dentist’s but to a small courtyard casually furnished with some tables and benches and dimly lit by multi-coloured light bulbs hung across the yard over our heads. The strange name and the sign are inherited from a denture repair workshop that was located in the building earlier.

The definition of the place is ‘cultural reception site’ (‘kulturális befogadótér’), indicating that what we’re dealing with is more than a simple pub. Fogasház offers yet undiscovered, talented contemporary artists a place where they can exhibit their works in a unique environment, and also it gives out studios to artists for free, giving them the chance to create, work, practice and hopefully develop themselves in a welcoming environment. Musicians are also welcome and encouraged to perform here. Do not expect loud rock concerts though, this place respects its neighbours.

Fogasház is run by KOHÓ Cultural Association whose aim is to promote culture and bring contemporary artists closer to their audience. The place is still “under construction” (not even their proper pieces of furniture have arrived yet) but people of KOHÓ are more than enthusiastic about it. They would like to create galleries, a small theatre and a screening room, and also extend the pub part to the second floor (all this of course while keeping the intimate, ruin-y atmosphere).

I honestly hope they succeed because there was something about the place that had me captivated in an instant. I look forward to spending more pleasant nights there with a glass of wine, checking out artworks, listening to great music, involved in a good conversation because this is just the place to do so.

For more information and programs check out www.fogashaz.hu