Exploring Budapest’s Best Ruin Bars

Budapest’s ruin bars are unique drinking joints situated in the city’s historic Jewish Quarter, offering a vibrant nightlife experience within the walls of neglected pre-war buildings

The NH Concierge’s Tips

If you’re looking to experience something unique in a city full of history and culture, don’t miss the chance to explore the best ruin bars in Budapest. These emblematic bars have become part of the city's culture and are a must-see experience for any tourist visiting the Hungarian capital. Join us and live for yourself this wonderful adventure that the city of Budapest offers you, where you can find the bar that suits your liking.

Szimpla Kert

At the top of the list of the best ruin bars in the city is the Szimpla Kert, the most emblematic and the first in its style. Like all revolutionary things, the Szimpla Kert was born from a need, in this case, the need for a community space for artists on the streets of Budapest.

The concept of taking an abandoned and forgotten building in history, the Kzinczy Utca, was rooted in Budapest in such a way that it became a unique experience for tourists from all over the world, and of course, this famous ruin bar in Budapest is the first stop for those who want to immerse themselves in this culture.

Located in the Jewish neighborhood of District 7, this bar is known not only for being the pioneer of ruin bars, but also for its eclectic furniture. It perfectly blends urban style with a modern touch. Its walls are full of art and you can see numerous and colorful neon lights, in addition to a nightclub ball for the dance stage.

However, the Szimpla Kert is not only a bar but also a community center. Fulfilling its original purpose, the Szimpla Kert is the epicenter of a wide variety of community activities, such as live music, art galleries, film screenings, farmers' markets, as well as the well-known Szimpla Bringa bicycle market.

Because of this, the Szimpla Kert is one of the best ruin bars in Budapest and an excellent tourist option for those who are looking for a “noisier and busier” and rich in culture place. These tourists might find more attractive the artistic side that this old ruin bar can offer. And you don't have to worry about how many people come to this place, as it's big enough to accommodate up to 5,000 people.

Regarding its gastronomic options, the Szimpla Kert offers a wide variety, from local gastronomic dishes to street food, as well as freshly baked goods. As for the drinks, if you are a tourist, you should allow yourself to taste the local craft beer, as well as one of the many cocktails you can find there.

If you are a tourist and stay at one of the hotels in Budapest, you can use several transport options to get to the Szimpla Kert. You can get there by tram, bus, night bus, taxi, or even on foot to explore the beautiful city of Budapest.

Kuplung

This bar is one of the favorites of the city's young people and tourists. Known for its quality music, good atmosphere and good prices, the Kuplung is an excellent stop for tourists who want to enjoy the night experience that the city of Budapest offers in terms of ruin bars.

Offering a fun atmosphere, the decorations of the Kuplung are marine-themed, with medusa lanterns, a characteristic wall painting of a giant whale, and a multitude of colorful marine creatures. In addition, during the summer, the outdoor terrace is stunning.

The Kuplung is easily accessible for all those in Budapest, as it is in the central area of District 6, on Király utca 46. In the heart of Budapest and with fair prices, it is enough to say that anyone who wants to have a good time in a ruin bar should pass by here.

Most of the nights at the Kuplung there are live events; a wide variety of bands and singers come to this bar to perform, so every night is unique and unrepeatable, an experience you cannot miss. Of course, it is a nice place to have a drink, a cocktail or a beer, and enjoy a live performance dancing to the rhythm of the music.

So, if you are looking for a quiet place, with a pleasant atmosphere and reasonable prices, where you can have a good time with your friends or meet new people, the Kuplung Ruin Bar is an excellent choice for you.

Instant-Fogas

The place of the eternal party. That is, if you go to the complex Instant Fogas, prepare to live one of the best parties of your life. In this resort, you will experience a real cultural festival of the ruin bars of Budapest and, what is even better, it's held every single day!

This great complex is a true maze full of the magic of Budapest. With up to 18 bars, numerous dance stages, and two gardens, this huge complex satisfies every taste of its guests. In one bar you can listen to electronics, and if you don't like it, you can go to another to listen to rock or R&B, as is best suited to your taste.

Of course, following the dynamics of the ruin bars, the Instant Fogas is also the home of art. It is for this reason that its decoration encourages art, giving rise to a rather surreal style. This makes it perfect for other activities such as art exhibitions, workshops, and movie screenings. In addition, you can enjoy live performances by artists and bands, mostly local.

If you are a party lover, this complex is the perfect place for you, whether you go with friends or intend to meet new people. Just go to the old Jewish neighborhood in the heart of Budapest and you will live one of the best nights of your life.

Csendes Vintage Bar & Café

If you love quiet environments and vintage-style spaces, you should go to this magnificent ruin bar. Following the idea of ruin bars with a more relaxed and comfortable atmosphere, Csendes Vintage Bar & Café is an ideal place to chat and have a drink, which makes it one of the best ruin bars in Budapest.

At the time of the Austro-Hungarian Empire, it used to be one of the most elegant cafes in the city. Its elegance contrasts with the ruin bar style, giving rise to a decoration that mixes elegant furniture with a vintage style. By the way, one of the decorations that guests notice most in this bar are the "uncomfortable" dolls that hang face-down from their high walls.

On the other hand, it is necessary to emphasize that this is a Bar and café where you can enjoy a drink or also a coffee while you have a pleasant conversation with background music. By the way, speaking of music, here you can relax listening to music from past times, be it rock, pop or jazz, typical of the vintage style.

If you are looking for an intimate atmosphere, do not forget to pass by the terrace that this ruin bar has, from where you can contemplate the city of Budapest in all its splendor and have an unforgettable moment.

The Csendes Vintage Bar & Café has become one of the most famous ruin bars of Budapest among tourists due to its pleasant atmosphere, its characteristic decoration, and its vintage-style music. This is why it is recommended to make a reservation in advance so that you do not miss the opportunity to visit this unforgettable ruin bar.

Élesztőház

Unique in craft beer, this ruin bar is ideal for the lovers of a good beer. Featuring more than 20 different varieties of Hungarian craft beer, this bar stands out for the quality of its beverages. Also known as "Levadura" in Hungarian, this bar is ideal for spending a night with friends after a day in the city.

Characterized by its atmosphere, its industrial decor has all the style of a real ruin bar. As for decoration, it combines industrial and modern styles, featuring minimalist furniture, with brick walls and exposed pipes of what was once a glass factory. This gives it the atmosphere of an authentic ruin bar.

In addition to beer, the Élesztőház offers a variety of Hungarian wines, as well as cocktails to accompany your meal, which, according to guest reviews, is based on delicious snacks and meat dishes, and the specialties of the house. So, if you pass Tűzoltó utca 22 in Budapest, don't miss the chance to visit this charming ruin bar.

Kőleves Kert

Do you want to relax and spend a pleasant afternoon in an outdoor shelter? Then, Kőleves Kert is the perfect ruin bar for you. Known for its relaxed atmosphere and its rustic decoration that includes gardens and trees, as well as hammocks in which you can rest, this bar is the ideal haven for a warm day in the city of Budapest.

At the Kőleves Kert, you can enjoy a wide variety of wines, cocktails, and beers. Besides, it has unique gastronomic options, and special Mediterranean food with dishes such as falafel, hummus, and shakshuka. Thanks to this, the bar has become the ideal place for those who want an excellent meal in a quiet atmosphere and where they can then rest.

Each of these bars has its own style, so I recommend you explore them all to find the one that best suits your taste, whether you like to have a day party, drink a glass of wine from a quiet terrace, or even have a cup of coffee while enjoying soft music. Don't miss out on living an unforgettable experience at one of the best ruin bars in Budapest.

Other articles