Whenever you’re in Budapest, there’s always something great to toast to. The city’s vibrant energy has a magnetic force that draws you in and sometimes, these adventurous oaths, lead to ruin bars. If you’re in Budapest or planning to visit, you’ve probably heard of Szimpla Kert or Instant Fogas. But what do they have in common? In this article, we’ll highlight what ruin bars are and introduce you to some of Budapest’s best ones.
What are ruin bars in Budapest?
Ruin bars are rundown, eclectic bars that are a popular style in Budapest. This movement began in 2001 and has been booming ever since. Ruin bars are usually found in 2 or 3-story buildings or in the courtyard of unoccupied buildings.
Ruin bars are very trendy and often quirky in style and design with neon lights and random objects hanging around the walls and ceilings. There, graffitiing is welcome—that’s if you can find a spot on the wall.
Most Budapest ruin bars are located in the 7th District, also known as the Jewish Quarter or the party district. Szimpla Kert was the first ruin bar created and still remains one of the most popular ruin pubs in Budapest.
However, as this trend has grown, more and more ruin bars have been created and so when it comes to options, there are lots of ruin pubs to pick from. To make it easier for you, here’s a list of some of Budapest’s best ruin bars.
What are the best Ruin Bars in Budapest?
⭐ Szimpla Kert
This one should come to you by no surprise! If you’ve been in Budapest for a while, you’ve probably already heard of it. You could call it the mother of all ruin bars(because it is) and it’s a must-see. The vibes are top notch and it’s a great place to meet people.
It’s no surprise that it’s one of the best ruin bars in Budapest. In fact, it could be the best.
Tip: It’s a huge bar with several rooms and bars inside so be sure to walk around when you get there. After dark, there may be a DJ or two jamming away and you could vibe to the music with a cold beer in hand.
Good to Know: Don’t be alarmed when you’re asked to pay for your cup. That’s how it rolls. Take the cup with you as a souvenir if you like, or get a token in exchange for the cup so you don’t have to pay for one the next time you visit the bar.
Another thing that makes Szimpla Kert one of the best ruin bars is that it’s still a fun place to chill during the day. It could even be better for taking pictures because you can fully take in the view and quirky interior décor during the daytime.
Saturday and Sunday mornings are popular for their thrift markets at Szimpla. So if you’re here for the weekend, stop by and shop for clothes, plants, and other cool items from locals—all while downing a cold beer.
Extra tip: Don’t miss the Szimpla menu
Location: Budapest, Kazinczy u. 14, 1075
Entry: Free
Open hours: Monday- Friday 03:00 PM – 04:00 AM Saturday 12:00 PM – 04:00 AM Sunday 09:00 AM – 04:00 PM
⭐ Csendes Ruin Bar
If you’re looking to tone it down a little, head over to Csendes. It’s not as touristy as Szimpla Kert and so it’s a much more relaxed ruin bar. But don’t skip past yet, Csendes certainly doesn’t lack in the cool vibes department. If anything, it gives all the right feels.
This ruin bar is perfect if you’re hoping to just chat away and have a few drinks. The interior, like many other ruin bars in Budapest, is decorated with dolls, mannequins, and unique art. The outside sitting area is quite the opposite. It’s right at the entrance of one of Budapest’s prettiest parks, Károlyi-Kert, and sits under a bunch of fairy lights.
Head over to this ruin bar if you want to get a feel of how the locals in Budapest hang out. Also check out this ruin bar’s menu.
Location: Budapest, Ferenczy István u. 5, 1053
Entry: Free
Open hours: 12:00 PM – 12:00 AM
⭐ Koloves Kert
Next on the list is Koloves Kert—another cool ruin pub to enjoy a craft beer, some Hungarian froccs, or a glass of Hungarian wine. It’s a wide space full of great energy and wonderful drinks. Definitely a local favorite and one of the best ruin bars in the city.
Koloves isn’t just popular for its drinks and cool and quirky vibes but also for the food served during lunchtime, so don’t miss their menu! They have some of the best ruin bar food.
Look out for special lunch offers during the week from Kőleves Vendeglo, an eatery located right next door. You can have a starter or a dessert served along with your main dish.
Go hungry, it’s tasty!
Location: Budapest, Kazinczy u. 37-41, 1075
Entry: Free
Open hours: Monday Wednesday 11:30-15:00 18:00-22:00 Thursday Friday 11:30-15:00 18:00-22:00 Saturday 12.00-23.00 Sunday Closed
⭐ Udvar Rom
Are you a college kid wanting to meet some people your age?
Then Udvar Rom‘s the ruin bar in Budapest that you want to check out. Not only is the vibe young and upbeat, but the drinks are also ridiculously cheap—making it the best ruin bar for students.
Their ruin bar menu isn’t over the top but you definitely get value for your money. And there’s enough room for you to have a blast. Literally and figuratively. 😉
Like most ruin bars in Budapest, you can grab a bite here or check out any of the other cool street food places in the area.
Location: Budapest, Klauzál u. 21, 1072
Entry: Free
Open hours: 04:00 PM – 04:00 AM
⭐ A Grund
If you’re no longer a student, don’t stop reading!
The list is only getting better. Another cool ruin bar in the city you may want to check out is A Grund.
Even though it’s not as centrally located as the others, it’s within close proximity and is one of the most popular ruin bars in Budapest. It’s more spacious and has secluded rooms with a huge courtyard in the middle.
They also offer a wide array of drinks and food to choose from.
In the mood for some fried food? You’ve got it! They have vegan options and also have a play area for kids so you don’t even need a sitter.
Just come down, enjoy some really good drinks, and have a fantastic time.
Location: 1082 Budapest Nagytemplom utca 30
Entry: Free
Open hours: Monday-Tuesday: 08:00-00:00 Wednesday: 08:00-01:00 Thursday-Saturday: 08:00-04:00 Sunday: 10:00-00:00
⭐ Elesztohaz
If you love craft beers, you’re going to love this one.
Elesztohaz is one of the most popular ruin bars in the city and is loved for plenty of reasons. If you don’t already know, the craft beer scene in Hungary is huge and Eleszto is here to serve.
Unlike many other colorful and artsy ruin bars, the design here is much more laid back and has an industrial feel to it. It’s got a flaming hot grill to match and is ready to serve some juicy deliciousness to go with your chilled drinks. Have a look at their menu or ask somebody working at the ruin bar what food they’d recommend.
Location: Budapest, Tűzoltó u. 22, 1094
Entry: Free
Open hours: 03:00 PM – 01:00 AM
⭐ Mazel Tov
Want to get a little bit fancy? Let’s head straight to Mazel Tov then.
But wait, we’re going to need a reservation!
Mazel Tov isn’t quite like the other ruin bars mentioned before. In fact, I feel it’s more of a restaurant than a bar but it’s still referred to as a ruin bar in Budapest.
This place doesn’t just serve delicious Middle-eastern food and chilly drinks, but they serve an experience. You can feel this as you walk into the beautifully designed garden-like atrium that is the dining area. The ceiling is covered with flowery plants and greenery, coupled with the prettiest lights.
Prices here are on the upper end so prepare to spend a bit more than for a ruin bar in Budapest. (Especially if you decide to have any of the popular dishes.) Mazel Tov is definitely one of the most Instagramable places in the city so if you’re a content creator, do check it out.
If you’re only there for a good time, prepare for some good vibes, a cool Dj set, and beautiful scenery.
Location: Budapest, Akácfa u. 47, 1072
Entry: Free
Open Hours: 12:00 PM – 12:00 AM
RECOMMENDED: Wine Bars in Budapest and Best Cocktail Bars in Budapest
You may also want to know…
Are ruin bars free entry?
Budapest’s ruin bars are free to enter. Due to their popularity, they tend to have super long queues, especially during peak hours. If you want to skip the line, you’ll have to pay a fee which should cost between 8-15 euros. Otherwise, you can expect to wait 10-15 minutes to go on.
What is the most famous Budapest bar?
Szimpla Kert is the most famous bar in Budapest. This comes as no surprise because it’s the mother of all ruin bars. Instant Fogas is also really popular but is more of a nightclub than a bar.
What do you wear to a ruin bar in Budapest?
You can wear whatever you’re most comfortable in when going to a ruin bar. People in Budapest tend to dress more casually so you won’t see anyone in a fancy dress or heels. A nice outfit and comfortable shoes like trainers, sneakers, or sandals are good enough—especially if you plan to dance a lot or pub crawl.
Which street is best for nightlife in Budapest?
The top streets for nightlife in Budapest are Kirayi Street, Wesselenyi Street, Akacfa Street, and Kazinczy Street. These are all found within the party district of Budapest.
What time do most ruin bars open in Budapest?
It varies. Some ruin bars are open at mid-morning and serve as cafes whereas others open at noon or sometime in the afternoon. The ruin bars which are also nightclubs don’t open until later in the evening and are open until 5 AM. It’s better to look up a specific ruin bar to check out their hours.
Which district are Budapest ruin bars in?
The 7th district aka the Old Jewish Quarter aka the party district. You’ll find some of the best ruin bars in Budapest here including Szimpla Kert, Instant Fogas, Fuge Udvar, and many others.
What are the best cocktail bars in Budapest?
Once you’ve crossed ruins bars in Budapest off your list, it’s time to get on to cocktail bars. Budapest has quite a number of these around the city and many of them are undiscovered gems.
But you’re in luck!
- Solid
- Leo Rooftop
- Mazel Tov
- Twentysix
- High Not Skybar
- White Raven
- The Duchess
Wanna know more? Read about some of the Best Cocktail Bars in Budapest here.
So whether you’re a cocktail lover or beer lover, there’s a cool ruin bar in Budapest calling out your name.
As an expat in Budapest, I love to explore the city and I often share my adventures on my Instagram account so feel free to come along with me on the ride!
Have a look at some of my other travel guides to Budapest and cities beyond like Bristol and Barcelona.
