Attire for Evening Concert at Franz Liszt Academy and Lunch at a Michelin Star Restaurant

All the concert hall performances in Budapest that I’ve attended ( classical concerts at MUPA, Franz Liszt Academy) guests dressed smartly, but there were very few men wearing sport coats. Black jeans, shoes and a collared shirt with a sweater, if needed, were fine.
I have opera tickets for Teatro La Scala in Milan and I was amused the tickets simply have pictograms saying “no tank tops, no shorts and no sandals.”

There is no objective answer to your question.

The Academy tends to attract more locals than tourists, so based on that, i might be a bit more conservative.

But, as you said, it's students. So, I ask if your son or daughter had fought to get into the academy and was now show casing her/his talent in a venue as beautiful and prestigious as the Grand Hall, how would you dress to see her?

If you suspect the audience includes proud Hungarian parents, how would you imagine that they would dress for their children?

How about the students? What might they be expecting?

Assuming you feel as a guest in their home and you want to be seen showing the utmost respect, how would you dress? Is the bar higher since you are somewhat uninvited inserting yourself into their event?

Then mama always said that it's impossible to overdress, but the opposite isn't true.

I can only say what I would do. I have a pair of travel slacks that weigh a fraction of that of a pair of jeans and are never out of place. They pack better than most any jean or chino so packing is not an excuse for me. The shirt in the summer can be a polo ot even a really slick crew neck. In the winter a sweater. Again, no impact on packing. The jacket is a travel blazer that I wear on the plane. Full of great pockets for phone, passport, tickets, etc. It's my travel vest. I wore it to Bosnia & Herzegoivnia last week. Glad I did, for one special evening.

I'm still not sold on the report on the Opera. The last time I was there was 3 years ago, and because of a similar thread at the time I made a mental note of what I saw and it wasn't what the OP experienced. But things might have changed in 3 years. I am also left uncertain because the OP said everyone around him was a tourist .... so I presume that was the situation in general. Tourist choices don't necessarily reflect local cultural values. But I could be dead wrong in my assumptions. But I've been lazy. I could settle it in my mind by just walking past either venue 30 min before show time. I would do that tonight, but Zoltan just poured a nice white Kadarka.

If you are looking for something more concrete, read the Opera's recommendations in their FAQ and comply. The Academy is at least as .... pick a word. Or Google the venue and look at photos of how people are dressed.

So, my advice is think it through and choose in a manner that will provide a ceartinity that you will feel comfortable in both your style and in your demonstration of your respect to the ocassion, the performers, the venue, and the others there that night. And you might end up "over dressed" (there really is no such state).

If i seem overly conservative in my own actions, I confess to having a very deep seated need to avoid offending the locals of my host country. Few things I take more seriously.

Stop it at 22 seconds to see the audiance: https://youtu.be/vzXXQU23SDQ?si=XN28PjoIzDQFudIZ

Kenko mentioned the Mupa. Depends. The venue does everything from children shows to rock, to jazz to classical; and evening to matinee so a random one off experience may or may not be .... but its a start.

Thank you both for commenting. I greatly appreciate it.

Really wasnt much help. Have fun no matter what you decide to do. And you choose very well with the Academy. Its a wonderful venue and a bit off the tourist path so that makes it more special. Most Michelin Star restaurants these days (in Budapest at least) are "smart casual" which simply means no cargo shorts (unless they have Louis Vuitton written all over them); and maybe they would be happier if you didnt wear jeans.... agin unless they make a fashion statment I guess.

Thank you, Kenko and Mr E, for your input. I feel more confident in our choices as it’s a bit tricky to know about a place we’ve never been to before.

Next on my agenda is trying to fit in the activities/places to see that our tour doesn’t include. My strategy is to see which neighborhood our tour spends time in, so that during our free time- since we’re already there, we do those activities we’re interested in. It’s an efficient use of our limited time that way.

TravelMom, I'm planning on wearing black pants, a nice shirt and cashmere cardigan to the opera (I generally don't wear dresses). From everything I've heard (and seen), that will be appropriate. I think your husband would be fine in a pair of dark pants, a nice dress shirt and tie. There will be plenty of other men dressed similarly, and I'm sure he will not stand out.

Having worked in theatre and opera for years, I can tell you that no one really cares how the public is dressed (within reason, of course - no one wants to see a slob or beach attire, lol!). Those behind the scene are much more concerned about the audience's demeanor. which includes politely listening to the music without talking, turning off their cell phones and watches, and applauding appropriately. ☺︎

Enjoy the concerts! It's always exciting to attend music and theatre events when traveling!

You are in for a treat. We stayed just a block from the academy last week for several nights. We enjoyed dinner at one of 5-6 restaurants on the pedestrian Liszt Ferenc connecting Andassy Ut and the academy.. Even though there were no performances during our 5 night stay, we popped into the lobby to get a feel for the venue’s opulence. Enjoy!

Would my husband need a jacket to be appropriately dressed for the venue or would dark pants, a dress shirt, and tie work as well?

No need for jacket or tie. I was at the Liszt back in December for a benefit - an amazing petformance by the Amadinda Percussion Group - in black jeans and a dark shirt - I wasn't underdressed. The audience [upstairs] was dressed at the casual end of the spectrum. Cloak rooms are convenient and well-utilized, so you can check outerwear if it's a chilly night.

Wore the same outfit to the Budapest Opera a few days earlier - same basic case - I sat fairly high up.

in black jeans and a dark shirt - I wasn't underdressed. ... Wore the
same outfit to the Budapest Opera a few days earlier - same basic case
- I sat fairly high up.

But in yiur report on tge opera. You said:

Other than the staff, I only saw 3 men with suits and ties -- one of
whom was me.

Suit or black jeans?

But in yiur report on tge opera. You said:...

That was GeoffB, the OP who wore the suit - despite my efforts to discourage him in a series of PMs prior to his trip.

As I've mentioned in previous posts, I've worn the same basic casual outfit attending opera in Warsaw, Budapest and Vienna since April of 2024 [plus the Liszt in Budapest], and I was a longtime subscriber to Los Angeles Opera, so I have a fairly good sense of what can be worn in these settings.

My bad, you are correct. My apologies.

Okay, im sold. I guess since there is no imposed dress code, there really isn't a standard any longer, and anything goes. It is a significant change from 3 years ago but cultures evolve and it's not surprising that LA cultural norms are now the same as Poland and Hungary. Does take some of the interest out of travel, but makes planning easier because a lot of the research is gone, just do what you did at home is the answer.

I admit that I have totally lost touch. I went to a late afternoon vineyard event at one of the local 5 star hotels. It was afternoon so I went sort of at the lower end of Smart Casual. The vast majority of the several hundred gentlemen were in sports coats or suits. Those that were not looked like they were out of GQ. At the time I wasnt too surprised because this wasnt an event advertised to tourists and at the time my belief was that Hungarians were somewhat more conservative in such issues. Now I know it was a fluke of some sort because what I was wearing was fine for San Antonio, Texas so it should have been fine world wide. I felt a bit out of place.

Now here is the suprise, a few weeks later there was a similar evenining event on a boat in the Danube. I had learned my lesson so I wore a sports coat. Out of several hundred gentlemen in attnedance there was me and maybe 6 others with sports coats or suits. Another 6 had ties on. This one did leak out to tourists, but I still suspect 75% were locals. But this one also drew a younger crowd. Despite the sports coat I didnt feel out of place.

If you look at the similar thread on the Opera, you will see I looked to see how the gentlemen were dressed for the opera tonight (74% in suites or sports coats or at least a tie).

Next I wandered over the Liszt tonight for the same thing. This isnt a "performance" this is the finals of an international cello competition held in the Great Hall. This attracted a lot of families so I just looked at adult men. 48 out of 100 were in suits or sports coats or at least a tie.

How this would compare to a real performance, no idea; but I wouldnt expect it to be much different than the Opera; but I could be wrong. I think the one that might give more information is tomorrow evening when the Interneational Cello Competition - Gala Concert is held. But unfortunately I will be out of town.

What ever you do, dont eat on Liszt Ferenc tér. Too much better food not far. Maybe SZÉK Restaurant & Bar for very good Hungarian at the best prices on Andrassy ut. https://maps.app.goo.gl/XGevVTEsy8D5Jrww5

Thanks again for all the input, Everyone. Too bad I’m not in town for the cello competition as that would be a treat. But we are excited to attend the violin recital. Interestingly, I bought the tickets weeks before we will be in town, and most tickets were already sold. I’m not sure this would happen in the USA. But I’m thrilled there’s an appreciative audience for the student concert.

Also, thanks for the tip to not eat on the Franz Liszt Square!

What ever you do, dont eat on Liszt Ferenc tér. Too much better food not far. Maybe SZÉK Restaurant & Bar for very good Hungarian at the best prices on Andrassy ut

Oh, that sounds good! I’m making a note of that. Thanks!

Liszt Ferenc tér is a bit of a tourist trap. I had some frineds in town a month ago and they inisisted on an Italian place there ... it was mass produced food and the service was rushed to flip the tables. All the restaurants there look about the same. Maybe Menza is an exception.

TravelMom, I have found that Hungarians like their music! You will have a great time. (from another travelmom)

Mardee, if you go to SZEK, check out their lunch deal. It’s a good price for what you get.

Thanks, TTM! I love a good lunch deal. 😊 (I think I've used an emoji in every post I've written since he turned them back on, lol!)