Angel Shot: secret Budapest cocktail saved 17-year-old girl’s life
When a bruised teenager walked into a Budapest burger joint, staff knew what the secret code on the menu meant — and it became her lifeline.
The restaurant had only added the Angel Shot to its menu a little over a week earlier. While it looks like just another cocktail, it is in fact a discreet code: ordering one signals to the staff that the guest is in danger and needs help.
Hungarian government’s backlash
The moment the Angel Shot appeared on Billog’s menu, it sparked a lively debate. Dr Róbert Répássy, the Secretary of State for Justice, wrote on his own page that, in his view, abused women should seek help not at a burger joint but at official state victim support centres.
In response, Billog invited the Secretary to visit in person to hear why even a small eatery feels it’s vital to play a part in protecting women. The invitation was accepted, and on 25 July, Róbert Répássy and ministerial commissioner Nóra Király dropped by Billog. They shared an Angel Burger and had an open discussion about the initiative. During the meeting, posters with state victim support helpline numbers were placed in the restaurant’s women’s restroom, and they found common ground on certain issues.
However, a tragic incident soon confirmed the importance of Billog’s initiative — the Angel Shot cocktail proved to be a lifesaver.
On 27 September, a 17-year-old girl entered the restaurant with a guest after suffering abuse on the street, discreetly signalling for help with the secret Angel Shot code at the bar.
A regular saved the girl
In this case, it wasn’t the victim herself who used the code, but a regular customer. He noticed at a nearby bus stop that a man was kicking a 17-year-old girl. Recognizing that the Angel Shot could alert the staff discreetly, he ordered it on her behalf once inside.
The employees at Billog reacted immediately: they called the police and an ambulance, while also taking the trembling, injured girl to a safe place and trying to calm her until help arrived.
The restaurant’s owner later revealed that the girl had been locked in a flat for days, barely given any food, before she was rescued. At the burger joint, the first proper meal she received in days was a Kentucky burger and a sugary cola. According to the owner, she was visibly exhausted and hungry — but at least she finally felt safe.
What does “Angel Shot” mean?
The Angel Shot concept started in the United States a few years ago and has since spread to many countries. It’s essentially a coded order — a discreet way to ask the staff for help.
Internationally, there have already been several cases proving its usefulness. In one instance, an American woman felt unsafe during a date and quietly ordered an “Angel Shot with lime.” The staff knew this code meant the police should be called immediately. The man was separated from her, and she left safely. Bartender Benji Spears later explained the different Angel Shot codes in a viral TikTok video:
- “Angel Shot with lime” – signals that police intervention is needed.
- “Angel Shot neat” – means the guest is asking the staff to escort them out or provide protection.
- “Angel Shot on the rocks” – indicates that the person needs safe transportation home, such as a taxi.
Now, for the first time in Budapest, the Angel Shot proved in practice that it can be more than just a symbolic idea — it can truly help a victim in need.
A cry for help that looks like just another order
This kind of coded signal can be the best solution in many situations, as openly asking for help is often impossible for victims of abuse. They may fear the abuser’s reaction, feel ashamed of their situation, or simply have no way to call for help. A discreet sign that only the staff understands, while the aggressor remains unaware, can be the only way out.
The recent incident highlights the crucial role that bars and restaurants can play in offering safety. Following this case, more venues in Budapest may consider introducing the Angel Shot or similar systems.
If you are a victim of abuse in Hungary, help is available:
- National Crisis Hotline (24/7): 06-80-20-55-20
- Victim Support Hotline (24/7): 06-80-225-225
- NANE Association (for women and children experiencing abuse): +36-80-505-101 (from abroad: +36-1-267-4900)
Featured image: Facebook / Billog