More about: 9 Best Ruin Bars in Budapest
To understand the spirit of a city, you have to experience its nightlife, and Budapest is a city that, without a doubt, deserves to be explored at night—only then can you truly connect with its soul and uncover all its secrets.
And there’s no better way to do that than with a ruin pub party tour, where you’ll explore these popular, shabby-chic bars that attract both tourists and locals alike. Below, I’ll highlight the best options in the Hungarian capital.
1. Szimpla Kert, the pioneer of ruin bars in Budapest
What is now an unmissable attraction was born almost by chance. In 2002, the owners wanted to launch a new bar concept where you could do a little bit of everything, from listening to live music to smoking a hookah with friends. To make their dream a reality, they rented a derelict building in the Old Town.
After some renovations, they decided to keep a shabby look, and the formula hit the mark. Today, Szimpla Kert is the most popular ruin bar in the Hungarian capital and a must-visit if you book a party tour of Budapest’s ruin pubs. Any long weekend should include a stop at this legendary spot.
It’s a true labyrinth, and I recommend taking some time to explore its atmosphere. You might end up having a pint in the old Trabant car in the courtyard or in the comfortable armchairs on the first floor.
Useful Information
- Address: Kazinczy utca, 14.
- Hours: Monday through Thursday, from 3:00 PM to 4:00 AM. On Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays, it opens at 12:00 PM and closes at 4:00 AM.
2. Instant-Fogas, Europe’s largest ruin bar
In 2008, the legendary venues Instant and Fogas joined forces to create Europe’s largest ruin bar. This massive space—a must-visit on any Budapest ruin pub party tour—features seven distinct areas dedicated to different music genres: techno, live concerts, remixes of famous songs, rock, metal, EDM, and Latin music.
Admission is free, and the doors close at 6 a.m. In short, Instant-Fogas is the perfect place to let loose after a day of sightseeing.
Useful Information
- Address: Akácfa utca, 51.
- Hours: Open daily from 6:00 p.m. to 6:00 a.m.
3. Csendes Létterem, for day or night
In a narrow alley near the National Museum lies Csendes Létterem, a ruin pub housed in an elegant 19th-century building. If you don’t see anything unusual from the outside, step up to the windows and take a peek inside. All sorts of objects hang from its walls: a bicycle, mannequins, messages left by customers, mirrors, traffic signs, and other curious items.
Unlike many ruin pubs, Csendes Létterem opens early and is a great option for breakfast. In addition to traditional dishes, the menu features vegan options including pancakes with maple syrup and fruit, chia pudding with coconut milk, or mango puree.
You can also add it to your party tour of Budapest’s ruin pubs, as at night this peaceful spot transforms into a DJ set featuring soul, funk, and jazz. To get an idea of the nightlife scene, I recommend reading the post on the 10 things to do in Budapest at night.
Useful Information
- Address: Akácfa utca, 51.
- Hours: Open every day of the week, from 10 a.m. to 2 a.m.
4. Kőleves Kert, the “Stone Soup Garden”
If you’re visiting Budapest in the summer, don’t miss the terrace at Kőleves Kert, a ruin bar in the Jewish Quarter. Be sure to add it to your list of party tours of Budapest’s ruin pubs.
During the warmer months, you can enjoy a pint of beer or a glass of wine at the colorful tables in the garden. The trees and plants create a green oasis, and with a little luck, you can relax in their hammocks.
Kőleves Kert’s drink menu is as varied as its food menu, which includes: salads, vegetarian dishes, and heartier options like roast duck (a Hungarian specialty) and baked beans with hard-boiled eggs.
Useful Information
- Address: Kazinczy St., 37-41.
- Hours: Open daily from 11:30 AM to 11:00 PM.
5. Mazel Tov, to sample the best dishes and cocktails
Located in the heart of the Jewish quarter, Mazel Tov is a cultural space with a nod to gastronomy—a must-visit on your party tour of Budapest’s ruin pubs. This ruin bar is more of a restaurant serving delicious Middle Eastern dishes. The place gets very busy, so it’s best to book a table in advance on their official website.
Its classic dishes include hummus (served with tahini, parsley, olive oil, and pita bread), falafel, and sabich—an Israeli sandwich with fried eggplant, hard-boiled egg, tomato, cucumber, and other ingredients. There’s also no shortage of fusion dishes and delicious desserts to round out your meal.
At Mazel Tov, the most eye-catching feature is the plants hanging from the first floor, creating a friendly and welcoming atmosphere. After dinner, you can stop by to enjoy a cocktail like the peach spritz—a twist on the Italian drink featuring peach and prosecco—or the cosmojito, made with Absolut Blue.
Useful Information
- Address: Akácfa utca, 47.
- Hours: Monday and Tuesday, 5 PM to midnight, and Wednesday through Sunday, noon to midnight.
6. Grandio Jungle Bar, the urban oasis in the Jewish Quarter
Just a few meters from the Great Synagogue is the Grandio Jungle Bar, a newcomer that has quickly climbed the ranks. As the name suggests, the bar is located in an inner courtyard, and its tables are shaded by lush greenery.
Many of its customers stay at the party hostel on the first floor, but you can access the bar even if you’re not staying there.
In addition to drinks, at this spot you can watch soccer games or join in on a karaoke night. So don’t hesitate—add it to your party tour of Budapest’s ruin pubs.
Useful Information
- Address: Nagy Diófa utca, 8.
- Hours: Open daily from 12 PM to 12 AM.
7. Élesztőház, to taste the best beer in Budapest
Hungary and beer are closely linked. The first document mentioning beer dates back to 1152 and refers to a funeral that was to conclude with a “beer party.” Today, you can find brands like Dreher, a pilsner-style lager, and Soproni, a refreshing IPA available at any bar in the capital.
Clearly, this Eastern European country also brews craft beers, and Élesztőház is the perfect place to sample them—a must-visit on any ruin pub crawl.
If you’re feeling peckish, check out the menu. The spot is known for its mushroom salad and its unbeatable burgers.
Useful Information
- Address: Tűzoltó utca, 22.
- Hours: Open all week at different times; Sunday and Monday, 3 PM to 1 AM; Tuesday and Wednesday, 3 PM to 2 AM; and the rest of the week, 3 PM to 3 AM.
8. Dürer Kert, the mecca of punk and metal
Unlike the other ruin bars on this list, Dürer Kert isn’t located in the Jewish Quarter but in Kelenföld, a district that emerged in the 1970s. Although it’s a bit far from the city center, you can get there by taking a trolleybus or a bus. The trip takes about 30 minutes, but I assure you it’s worth it.
Exploring Budapest at night is a must, especially along the banks of the Danube. Right here stands a building with a unique history. Before the arrival of the Soviets, it was a boarding school run by the French nuns of the Sacré Coeur. With the establishment of the Hungarian People’s Republic, the nuns left the building, which was then allocated to the communist nomenklatura.
Today it houses a ruin bar that has become a mecca for fans of punk, metal, and trash. Its concerts have been livening up Budapest’s nights since 2008. It also features pinball machines, ping-pong tables, lounges with sofas, and an old bus converted into a relaxation area.
Useful Information
- Address: Öböl utca, 1.
- Hours: The concert venue is open only when events are scheduled. Before planning your visit, I recommend checking the official website.
- Fun fact: Dürer Kert has a sister venue, Dürer Part, a beach bar on Lupa Beach, a destination just a few kilometers from the Hungarian capital and the perfect spot for both drinks and outdoor sports. If you’re interested in activities outside the city, I recommend reading the post on the best day trips from Budapest.
9. Szatyor Bárun, a unique spot in Budapest
Like Dürer Kert, Szatyor isn’t located in the Jewish Quarter but on an elegant avenue in the capital: Bartók Béla. This residential street is home to bookstores, art galleries (Faur Zsófi, Gross Arnold, etc.), cafés (Addicted2Caffeine, Hadik, etc.), and some of the capital’s best restaurants.
Szatyor is one of the few ruin bars on this side of the Danube. Unlike the other bars on the list, it isn’t frequented by tourists, who tend to prefer establishments in the city center. Its decor has a slightly run-down feel, though it doesn’t go to the extremes of Szimpla Kert. To get here from the Old Town, take the tram from Deák Ferenc Square (lines 47 and 49) and get off at the Gárdonyi tér stop.
Useful Information
- Address: Bartók Béla, 36.
- Hours: Open daily from 12 PM to 12 AM.