The 7 Best Ruin Bars In Budapest: a complete guide in 2023
- food & drinksthings to do
- October 9, 2023
Some of the most popular attractions in Budapest are ruin bars, a somewhat recent phenomenon in the city. They emerged in the early 2000’s with the revitalization of Budapest’s 7th District – a historic but abandoned Jewish Quarter that bore the legacy of the World War II. These venues essentially repurposed abandoned spaces, such as warehouses, parking lots, and historic buildings, giving them a vibrant new purpose.
In this article you’ll find the 7 best ruin pubs in Budapest and all the info you need to know before going to each one of these places. At the end, you’ll also see our option for the best ruin bar pub crawl in Budapest.
QUICK LINKS
1. Szimpla Kert
2. Instant & Fogas Ház
3. Mazel Tov
4. Csendes
5. Füge Udvar
6. Élesztő
7. Kőleves Kert
• Check our map of Budapest ruin bars, featuring 21 the places
• Join a ruin bar pub crawl in Budapest
• Find more Jewish walking tours
1. Szimpla kert - best ruin bar
The first of them all
Szimpla Kert is the number 1 and most famous ruin bar in Budapest, and it served as the catalyst for the ruin pub concept. Its journey commenced in 2002 at the current Szimpla Café location – but in 2004, by the hand of Ábel Zsendovits and his friends, it got relocated to the now-famous Kazinczy street condemned building complex.
Today, Szimpla remains a vibrant cultural hub, drawing locals and tourists alike. Known for its great nigh outs, it also hosts events like live music, film screenings, art exhibitions, a farmers’ market (Sundays from 9 am – 2 pm), a record fair (first Saturday of every month) and a flea market. Oh, and count on an extensive drinks menu, as well as a kitchen for the hungry ones.
Entry: open on weekdays from 3 pm – 4 am, on Saturdays from 12 pm – 4 am, and on Sundays from 9 am – 4 am, but consider going before 10pm to avoid queuing. And there’s no admission fee, but make sure you have your ID.
Website: https://www.szimpla.eu
Contact: +36 1 352 4198
Directions: Szimpla on Google Maps
2. Instant & Fogas Ház - best for partying
A maze of dancefloors
Instant, also known as Fogas Ház, stands as an iconic place in Budapest’s nightlife, and the biggest ruin pub in the city. It offers an eclectic blend of entertainment and music – with 18 bars and 7 dancefloors, each with its own vibe, ranging from live performances to DJ sets. Hotspot for music enthusiasts, Fogas hosts international and local artists. And the essence of the ruin bar is all there, in each room you visit.
Entry: it’s open everyday from 6 pm – 6 am (including weekends). There’s no admission fee, although some some rooms might be closed due to a paid event, like a live concert. Consider going before 11pm to avoid queuing.
Website: https://instant-fogas.com
Contact: +36 70 638 5040 / [email protected]
Directions: Instant Fogas on Google Maps
3. Mazel Tov - best for foodies
A chic bar-restaurant
Mazel Tov Budapest is a culinary and cultural gem nestled in the heart of the city. Housed in a stunningly restored 19th-century building situated right next to Fogas, it blends modernity with tradition.
In its courtyard full of lights and greenery, Mazel Tov showcases a fusion of Mediterranean and Middle Eastern cuisine: fans of hummus, falafel, skewers, and veggies, that’s for you. And often you’ll have live music performances while you’re eating or having a drink. A lively and intimate experience.
Entry: it’s open from Monday – Sunday (12 pm – 12 am), but you should book it via their email or site link.
Website: https://mazeltov.hu/en
Contact: +36 70 626 4280 / [email protected]
Directions: Mazel Tov on Google Maps
4. Csendes Vintage Bar & Cafe - best small ruin pub
Vintage appeal
Csendes is a smaller and charming version of Budapest’s ruin bars – like an oasis in its bustling cityscape. This cozy cafe, located in a historic building, exudes a vintage and artistic character. Inside, you’ll find a great mix of antique furniture and retro decor, which you can contemplate while having a beer, or just some coffee or tea. Oh, and if you’re hungry, maybe try one of their cakes or pastries.
But that’s not all – apart from being a cafe-bar, Csendes also hosts art exhibitions, literary events, and live music performances.
Entry: Open on Mon-Sat from 12 pm – 12 am
Website: facebook and instagram
Contact: +36 30 727 2100
Directions: Csendes on Google Maps
5. Füge Udvar - best for cheaper prices
Play, party and…save?
Also known as “Udvarrom” (the name still stands outside), this ruin pub is now called “Füge Udvar” (translated as “Fig Garden”), owing that to the elder fig tree that lies at the center of its courtyard. There are all sorts of pub games here – billiards, darts, foosball, table tennis or arcade – and 4 rooms to party, each with a different musical genre. If you’re seeking an affordable way to kickstart your evening in the party district, if burger and drinks sound like a good idea, then Füge Udvar might be the place…but you might end up staying for longer than planned!
Entry: open everyday from 4 pm – 4 am
Website: https://fugeudvar.hu/en
Contact: +36 20 200 1000
Directions: Füge Udvar on Google Maps
6. Élesztő - Best for craft beer and local wines
Beers, beers, beers
Élesztő, with its open-air terrace in a century-old building with industrial vibes, is special. First, the name means “Yeast” in Hungarian – and that gives a hint of the place already. With a selection of 30 brews on tap – local and international – it’s heaven for beer enthusiasts. But the name also means “Revival”, as it embodies the mission to be Hungary’s premier craft beer destination. They even have a beer hostel (really).
And more than beers
They also the “Butcher’s Kitchen”, where you can get a good variety of things, from the classic Hungarian sausage to the salads and vegan options. Oh, and if you’re on a different vibe…check the wine bar Vinopiano.
Entry: open everyday from 3 pm, it closes at 1 am on Sun-Mon, at 2 am on Tue-Wed, and at 3 am from Thu-Sat. You should book a table before going.
Website: https://en.elesztohaz.hu/
Contact: +36 20 2135 999
Directions: Élesztőház on Google Maps
7. Kőleves kert - best garden bar
THE Summer garden bar
Kőleves kert, once a forgotten building in Budapest’s 7th district, has been reborn into a multifaceted place, with a restaurant, an inn, a store and…a garden (“kert”) with all the ruin pub vibes .
Since 2009, Kőleves (meaning “stone soup”) has this laid-back outdoor bar, where, beneath the shade of mulberry trees, hammocks provide a tranquil escape. The bar, concealed within a circus wagon, serves beers, the renowned Hungarian “fröccs” (wine and soda mix), and tasty (yet quite cheap) food: you can find grill snacks, hearty soups (like goulash), and the local “tócsni” – a crispy fried potato pancake. Find the lunch menus on facebook.
Entry: opens on Tue-Wed from 12-10 pm; from Thu-Sat it opens until 11 pm. Closed on Mondays.
Website: https://kolevesvendeglo.hu/
Contact: +36 20 2135 999
Directions: Kőleves on Google Maps
Want to find where to eat?
➡️ Check our 2024 guide on the best restaurants in Budapest.
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