No Shock as Clueless Tourists Taken for Ride in Budapest Tittie Bar

Although tourists are warned time and again to steer clear of strip clubs unless they have a reliable recommendation, the mugs continue to arrive by the easyJetload every weekend. But for the first time we can remember, the Hungarian press has dared to report one such case and police seem to actually be taking action against one of the countless rip-off joints lying in wait throughout Budapest. News portal stop.hu reports that four foreigners of unknown origin were forced to pay a whopping Ft 445,000 (nearly €2,000) for four beers and some wine at a Dohány utca strip club on Saturday.

The story is familiar: When the waiter brought the three foreigners the bill and they refused to pay, several beefy men surrounded them and made it clear they would not leave until they paid up. When they didn't have the cash to pay (who would?), two of the "guests" were frogmarched to a nearby ATM. The mugs filed a report and police have launched an investigation,arresting three suspects on charges of kidnapping and extortion. Unfortunately, as we know, this is only the tip of the iceberg...

Although the name of the club is not specified in the article, according to Paul Kamondy of "tourist agency" Stag Republic, the dive in question is likely to be one of either the recently opened Jet Club, Club 69 or Candy Shop, ironically, the name was ripped off from Stag Republic's first run at running a legitimate strip joint in Budapest.

Kamondy, who also owns a stake in 4Play Lounge, one of a handful of reputable clubs in town, was quick to add that this can happen at most clubs, and it's no wonder: "The girls get enormous pay for each guy they get a drink from. I've heard as much as Ft 70,000." He also added that it is unlikely that charges will ever be pressed: "I doubt it will happen and the foreigners won't get their money back. Guaranteed. A hotel receptionist told me once that a guest came back and said he wanted to file a complaint. The receptionist called the District V police to do so. Five minutes later the receptionist got an anonymous call threatening him and his family."

Kamondy goes on: "I think the big push into these places are the taxis. Basically the prime spots are run by a group at night - Octogon for example. The drivers get big money for bringing people to these places." To prove the point, a club recently opened near 4Play calling itself Fairplay, which is anything but.

YOU HAVE BEEN WARNED - AGAIN!