Budapest clubs Arzenál and Turbina ordered to close by police amid drug crackdown

Budapest nightclubs Arzenál and Turbina have been ordered to close temporarily by authorities over reported "drug use" inside the venues.

There has been a widespread crackdown on nightlife institutions over purported drug use since late last year, including numerous raids and arrests; in November, 211 people were arrested on suspicion of drug possession after attending the exclusive DOJO nightclub in downtown Budapest.

In December, Hungary's government approved legislation under Section 4 of the Act LXXV of 1999 allowing police to close venues "for up to three months" if they are suspected of “facilitating the production of drugs, or committing a crime with a mind-altering or performance-enhancing substance.”

In response to the legislation, thousands gathered for a "dance for freedom" demonstration in front of the National Assembly in Budapest on December 6, claiming that sweeping nightclub raids "violate basic freedoms and do nothing to curb drug addiction."

According to Hungarian news outlet Telex, Arzenál was ordered to close following several drug-related arrests on February 21, including the arrest of a 22-year-old man on suspicion of drug trafficking after 69 ecstasy pills were found in the waistband of his underwear during a search. 

On March 1, Arzenál - a former gun factory and Hungary's biggest indoor nightclub - shared a statement on Instagram confirming that it was ordered to shutter for two months, with no events to be held at the venue until April 27.

"We find it especially severe that this happened on the very day we had an event scheduled," the statement reads. "The decision causes immediate and significant damage to our guests, organisers, artists, and our entire team."

The venue shared that while it operates with a "zero tolerance" drug policy, it is a "hospitality and event venue, not a law enforcement authority. We have neither the legal right nor the practical ability to conduct official procedures or fully prevent hidden and undetectable violations."

"Arzenál was built from the ground up, without major financial backing. A forced two-month shutdown seriously threatens 6–7 years of hard work and the livelihood of nearly 50 team members," their statement adds, calling on its local community to donate to a fundraising page to help it make up for lost revenues.

On March 4, the Turbina Cultural Centre - an underground arts space and music venue in the city centre - was also ordered to close, with a police statement alleging that guests had purchased "marijuana, amphetamine-containing powder, and ecstasy tablets from a Tunisian citizen", who was arrested on February 26.

In a statement shared via Instagram yesterday (March 4), Turbina said that it had been "monitored for several weeks as part of an undercover operation, during which no violations were identified." 

"After the operation, the head of the mission informed our head of security that we should not expect any closure, as they had not encountered this level of professionalism, attention, and exemplary operation at other nightlife venues in Budapest, and they were fully satisfied with how Turbina operates," it continues. 

"In contrast, the current closure appears to be based on a testimony linked to an ongoing procedure, in which someone claimed that they had purchased an illegal substance in our favourite community space."

According to XpatLoop, Turbina is the eighth venue in Budapest to be closed under Act LXXV powers since December.

In April 2025, Hungary's parliament voted to introduce its "strictest ever" drug laws, meaning that those caught with illegal substances now face a penalty of up to two years in prison, unless they inform authorities who they purchased them from.

As Prime Minister Viktor Orbán prepares to face the polls as part of Hungary's general election in April, commentators have pointed to his manifesto promise to "crack down on drug dealers" as a motivation for the increase in venue closures and drug-related arrests.

In its statement, Turbina adds: "This action is the consequence of a legal environment that places disproportionate responsibility on cultural venues for a complex social phenomenon."

"We firmly believe that shutting down spaces like this cannot solve real problems - but it can very quickly destroy communities, creative platforms, and the cultural fabric of a city," it continues. "We will do everything we can to prevent the financial collapse of Turbina and to continue the work of more than 100 dedicated colleagues whose mission is to strengthen Budapest’s independent cultural scene." 

Turbina has also launched a fundraiser to support it through its month-long closure. You can donate here.

You can read Arzenál and Turbina's full statements below.

Megan Townsend is Mixmag's Deputy Editor, follow her on X