Bodor Ferenc: Coffee-Houses - Our Budapest (Budapest, 1992)

Kékmadár (bluebird)

Maeterlinck's bluebird perches, a little off-colour, on the corner of Ferenc körút and üllői út. The little bird stuck on the shop window however chirps happily from beneath the clouds: Reduced prices, Milk shakes. The place is frequented by the victims of maintenance-work on the Kilián barracks opposite and potters from the Applied Arts School. The little armchairs —like the old East German airport waiting-room chairs, swivelled round, afforded a panoramic view from Siófok to the Aranypart (Golden Beach). Sometimes tea dances are held here, a slowly dying form of amusement that still flourishes in the Kékmadár.There is a notice warning those unable to curb their passion: NO CUTTING IN. A delicately ornamented tiled floor before the neogothic stage décor counter. Refore bidding farewell to the walls and tables stylistically shrouded in blue cloth, just gaze upon the gleaming, massive legs of the counter beside the entrance, a sight guaranteed to soothe.

44 FERENC KÖRÚT, IX.

KÉKMADÁR

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