
Anyone who has scratched the surface of their fifth decade, like me, looks back at the 90s
with a warm, nostalgic glow. The only disturbing part? Realizing that the 90s were 30 years
ago. Let that sink in.
The Marilyn Bar hosted a Retro Party, and it was just as epic as every other event they throw.
The music, the atmosphere: it was a full-blown time machine. What a carefree era that was,
my goodness! Of course, part of that nostalgia comes from the fact that I was in my twenties
back then, and honestly, what problems does a twenty-something have? You’re past the
teenage brain fog, but you’re not fully an adult yet. No family, no spouse (hopefully), no real
responsibilities. But you do have an income, and you can spend it on whatever you want! And
let me tell you, I spent mine on partying. The 90s were full of amazing clubs!
At 19, I moved into a rental in Buda because mooching off my parents any longer just felt
wrong. I worked alongside my college studies, which covered my rent and my party expenses.
Honestly, back then, nothing else really mattered to me. After a few months, I put college on
hold for a year, which was probably one of my best decisions ever.
From Monday to Friday, I worked, and every Friday and Saturday night, I partied. And what a
year that was! The early 90s saw the opening of so many new clubs, each better than the last.
There was something for everyone. My friends and I made it our mission to check out as
many as possible. The only issue? Clubs weren’t fun if you arrived too early, but we wanted
to dive into the night as soon as possible.

That’s when we found Marilyn. Open from 9 PM to 4 AM (still the same hours today, by the
way), it became our go-to spot. And what a find! Before long, we were regulars. Every Friday
and Saturday, the night started (and often ended) at Marilyn. We got to know everyone by
name, and it felt like we were part of a big, rowdy family.
Now, sure, there were plenty of strip clubs in Budapest back then, but Marilyn was the only
one where guests were never ripped off. No sneaky bartenders, no shady dancers, just a good
time. The city’s nightlife was thriving, packed with foreigners, and every club was bursting at
the seams every weekend. The line outside Marilyn on a Saturday night? Legendary. Same
with the big discos. But VIP status had its perks: we always had a spot.
We truly felt like the kings of the night and wanted that life to last forever. Summers? Spent
partying at Lake Balaton. And even then, we often found ourselves back at Marilyn by
sunrise. Of course, everyone feels nostalgic about their youth, at least those who made the
most out of it. I like to think I did.
That golden year eventually ended, and I had to return to college. The partying didn’t stop,
just became a little less frequent. Everyone started settling down, whether it was work,
relationships, or both. Not me, though. That’s when I realized: you can absolutely go out
alone! By that time, I knew the staff at most places, and I could recognize a good quarter of
the guests.
A few years later, even my job became more serious, clubs started shutting down, an
regulars got replaced. By the early 2000s, my nights out became a bit more occasional. But
there’s still one place I go to: Marilyn. And that’s not a coincidence!
Keep an eye on the Thursday events, as there’s always something happening that makes it
worth the trip! Okay, maybe not every week, but at least every now and then. Never forget
who you were in your youth! Fun isn’t something you can just cut out of life. Without it,
what’s the point? So come on, let loose, recharge, and enjoy the ride!
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