New Year in Budapest

Visitors should know that New Year is celebrated with gusto in Budapest. Despite the expected cold, the street is where things happen, for younger Budapestis at least. But the call to the street should be tempered with a health warning. Fireworks seem to be easily available and – despite the several well-organised public displays – in the hands of individuals, thrown into the air in a crowded square, they can represent a hazard.

However, for less energetic Budapestis, and once the midnight hour has passed, the many clubs, bars and restaurants are the places to be. There is a special Hungarian new year diet – involving hot soup, sausages and bread – which, if you're lucky, may be served after the last midnight chimes have struck.

I spent New Year's Eve at a pub well-known to expats, The Caledonia in Mozsár Street. Yes, it's Scottish run and knows how to celebrate Hogmanay. The pub was busy, crowded, lively, with the vast majority of celebrants being Hungarian. After the organised entertainment of a singing-playing duo, it was over to the customers for ear-splitting karaoke.

I've not experienced much karaoke in Britain and used to imagine it was mainly the province of emotionally-drunk Japanese businessmen. But karaoke in Budapest is a revelation and can be found in many bars. What makes it special here is the quality of singing. Hungary is somehow blessed with exceptional musical talent (unknown to the rest of the world) and on karaoke nights, well-fueled by alcohol, this talent excels – and rocks.

The Caledonia's karaoke was joined by what I was assured was one of the best rock-blues-jazz singers in the country. And when local contributors make even the inevitable My Way sound original, captivating, exciting, one can be sure a good time was being had by all. And for me, another night that didn't end 'til 5 am.