A Blues Night to Remember: Bluestone Live at Babel Kertem in Budapest
If you’re looking for an authentic live music experience during your stay in Budapest, mark your calendar for Friday, August 28, 2026. That evening, one of Hungary’s most respected blues acts, Bluestone, takes the stage at Babel Kertem for a special end-of-summer concert that promises more than two hours of electric guitar magic. This isn’t just another gig in the city’s packed events calendar; it’s a tradition that Bluestone has kept alive since 2019, and this year’s lineup makes it a genuinely unmissable evening for music lovers passing through Hungary’s capital.
Why This Concert Stands Out
Every August, Bluestone closes out the summer with a larger-than-life Budapest show, and the band always brings along guest musicians who’ve shaped its sound over the years. Past editions have featured legendary Hungarian names like Hobo, Tibor Tátrai, and György Ferenczi, along with the Slovak jazz guru Peter Lipa. This kind of guest-star tradition has turned the annual concert into something of a pilgrimage for blues fans in the region, and it gives each year’s show its own distinct flavor.
This time, the spotlight is firmly on the electric guitar. Bluestone’s founder and guitarist, András Kőmíves “Stone,” shares the stage with two genuine blues-jazz virtuosos: Tamás Mohai, known for his work with BoomBoom, Háború, and Faxni, and László Borsodi, leader of the Borsodi Blue Collective. Together, these three guitarists promise a night full of improvisation, technical mastery, and that raw emotional pull that makes blues music so timeless.
An Acoustic Opening Act with a Clapton Twist
Before Bluestone plugs in, the evening opens with something a little different. The Pilgrims, an acoustic guitar trio formed in the spring of 2024, will warm up the crowd with a set dedicated entirely to Eric Clapton’s music, performed across 18 guitar strings. It’s a clever, stripped-back way to kick off the night, offering a quieter, more intimate contrast before the main event turns up the volume. For fans of Clapton’s songwriting or anyone curious about acoustic guitar arrangements, this opening set alone is worth showing up early for.
The Venue: Babel Kertem
The concert takes place at Babel Kertem, a garden-style venue located at Kőbányai út 24-28, I. Kapu, in Budapest’s 10th district. Garden venues like this one are a beloved part of Budapest’s summer nightlife scene, offering an open-air atmosphere that pairs perfectly with live music under the evening sky. If you’re navigating there, it’s worth noting that the Google Maps location is the accurate one to follow rather than any map linked through social media, since venue entrances in this area can be easy to mix up.
Doors are set for 8:00 PM, giving you plenty of time to grab a drink, find a good spot, and settle in before The Pilgrims take the stage.
A Great Pick for Visitors Who Love Live Music
Budapest has a thriving live music culture that often flies under the radar for first-time visitors who associate the city mainly with its thermal baths and historic architecture. A night like this one offers a chance to experience the city the way locals do, in a relaxed garden setting, listening to musicians who’ve spent decades honing their craft. Whether you’re a longtime blues enthusiast or simply looking for a memorable way to spend a summer evening in Budapest, this concert delivers atmosphere, talent, and a genuine slice of the city’s cultural life all in one night.
Tickets are available online in advance, and given the caliber of musicians involved, this is one event where showing up early and securing your spot ahead of time is a smart move.