Szimpla Kert: a guide to the oldest ruin pub in Budapest
- food & drinksthings to do
- October 12, 2023
In the heart of Budapest’s District VII, there’s a place where eclectic art meets bohemian spirit: Szimpla Kert, considered by many the best ruin bar in Budapest. In this blog, we’ll give you an overview of what you need to know before going to Szimpla and what you should expect once you’re there.
Just before jumping into it – if you’d like to explore other places, check our guide about the best ruin bars in Budapest.
QUICK LINKS:
• History
• Tips when visiting Szimpla Kert
• What to expect
• Summing up: is it worth it?
ℹ️ Essential info
Website:
https://szimpla.hu/
Contact:
+36 1 352 4198
[email protected]
Opening hours:
Monday: 3 pm – 4 am
Tuesday: 3 pm – 4 pm
Wednesday: 3 pm – 4 am
Thursday: 3 pm – 4 am
Friday: 12 pm – 4 am
Saturday: 12 pm – 4 am
Sunday: 9 am – 4 am
Address: Budapest, Kazinczy u. 14, 1075
Szimpla Kert history
Szimpla Kert (which means “Simple Garden”) is Budapest’s first ruin pub, the most famous one in the city, and also considered by many the best of them all. But, despite being installed in a ruin, its history is relatively recent.
From Szimpla Kertmozi to a ruin pub revolution
Szimpla first opened doors in 2002, and in 2004 was relocated to its current location, in Kazinczy utca, just a few blocks away. Originally set for demolition, a former residential and factory site was saved by the pub’s four owners, drawn to its spaciousness and unique ambiance. The new location, first opened as “Szimpla Kertmozi” (meaning open-air cinema) because of the courtyard that was used to watch underground and indie films – and more than a bar with cheap drinks, it was a place for the community.
Years later, the laid-back spot for affordable drinks would become a touristic attraction, leading to a citywide movement that gave birth the many ruin bars of today’s Budapest.
Visiting Szimpla Kert: best tips
1. Try to enter until 9 pm, especially if you’re going between Thursday to Sunday. After that time, there will be a line (a quite long one). Other days of week usually aren’t as busy, but it always gets busier towards the night.
2. Bring your ID. Many times, specially where there are lines, you’ll be asked to show your ID when entering.
3. Szimpla kert entry fee? Nope. There’s no entry fee in Szimpla – you only pay for whatever you buy inside.
4. There’s not dressing code to enter Szimpla. It’s ruin bar, so the point is to be laid-back.
5. The bathrooms are dirty. There’s not much to do about it – but better for you to know what to count with.
6. Be aware of street dealers on the street. It’s pretty common to be approached close to Szimpla if you want drugs, so just don’t buy anything from them.
7. When paying, avoid the mark-up on the exchange rate that banks usually charge. Wise is a good solution to pay in HUF.
8. And just in case, bring some cash (HUF) – even though all bars and kitchen in Szimpla take card, at times the terminal might not be working.
→ Summing it up: is it hard to get into Szimpla? No it is not. It’s free to enter and there’s no specific requirements. Just try to show up before 9pm to avoid cueing and bring an ID.
Szimpla Kert: what to expect
'Fun chaotic' vibes
The primary attraction of Szimpla lies in its ambiance – a unique atmosphere that comes partly from its location amidst ruins, but also from its quirky and chaotic decor – and its music, of course.
Whether you’re strolling through its entrance hallway (that transforms into a dance floor as the night progresses), exploring in the outdoor garden or the upper floor, you’re surrounded by a riot of colors and artifacts, in a chaos that invites us to stay. From the countless lamps, fully scribbled walls and the wall-mounted screens, to the many many plants, mirrors, tires, hairdryers and bathtubs (and so much more), you get that feeling that something is always unfolding.
Bars, rooms, plants and everything else
Ground floor
There are plenty of bars to choose from, regardless of the day or time you visit Szimpla. As you enter, the first bar on your right offers the usual alcoholic beverages. You might want to sample some Hungarian beers there. On the opposite side, you’ll find a shisha bar with plenty of spots to unwind — or perhaps ride a whimsical kangaroo-rabbit, if you’re in the mood? And that’s just on the ground floor. You’ll also discover a wine bar and an expansive garden area housing two additional bars, just in case you fancy another drink before heading upstairs. As for the dance floor? It spans the broad corridor, stretching from the entrance to the garden.
First floor
Upstairs, this parallel universe continues. Directly from the garden, there’s another bar to greet you. As you venture past this and through the seating areas, you’ll come across a balcony abundant with plants at its center. This lush spot is flanked by a kitchen, yet another bar, and a series of interconnected rooms.
Szimpla kitchen
For those who might need a break from drinking, there’s also food in Szimpla. You can go there for some fast food, although it can be quite delicious…and local. After the food, it won’t get more Szimpla-y then topping up that comfort food with a palinka…but we leave that to you! The kitchen is open every day of the week.
Szimpla kert food menu
• Pulled Pork Flautas: 3800 HUF
• Barbacoa Flautas: 3800 HUF
• Hortobágyi Flautas: 3800 HUF
• Vega Wrap: 3800 HUF
• Grill Plate (for 2): 8600 HUF
• Lángos Crackers (snack): 2600 HUF
Drinks menu
Beer on Tap:
• Pilsner Urquell: 0.3L/900 HUF, 0.5L/1500 HUF
• Soproni IPA: 0.3L/700 HUF, 0.5L/1100 HUF
• Budapest Lager: 0.3L/600 HUF, 0.5L/1000 HUF
• Flying Rabbit IPA: 0.3L/900 HUF, 0.5L/1500 HUF
• Lindemans Cherry/Apple: 0.25L/1200 HUF
Canned Beer:
• Hubris Lager: 0.5L/1500 HUF
• Guinness: 0.5L/2000 HUF
• New England IPA: 0.33L/1600 HUF
Bottled Beer:
• Crabbies Raspberry: 0.5L/1500 HUF
• Hard Apple: 0.33L/1200 HUF
• Bearys Blackcurrant: 0.33L/1200 HUF
Champagne:
• Veuve Clicquot: 0.75L/35000 HUF
• Prosecco on Tap: 0.15L/450 HUF, 0.75L/1900 HUF
Juices:
• Orange, Pineapple/Cranberry: 0.3L/900 HUF
Vodka (4cl):
• Krupnik, Delta (HUN): 1800 HUF
• Belvedere, Tito’s: 2500 HUF
Rum (4cl):
• Ron Cubay: 1800 HUF
• Diplomatico, Kraken, Bumbu: 2500 HUF
• San Luis Silver: 2000 HUF
Whiskey (4cl):
• Jim Beam, Jameson, Maker’s Mark: 2000 HUF
Pálinka:
• Various types of pálinka: 1500-2500 HUF
Liqueurs (4cl):
• Averna, Aperol(8cl), Absinthe: 1800 HUF
• Malibu, Baileys, Túró Rudi: 2000 HUF
• Disaronno, Frangelico, Jägermeister, Kahlua: 2000 HUF
Wine (1000ml / Bottle):
• Kurucvér, Pastor Merlot (dry red): 1000 / 7500 HUF
• Pastor Cab. Sauvignon: 1200 / 9000 HUF
• Nyári Hárslevelű (dry white): 900 / 6700 HUF
• Zöldveltelini (dry white), Káli Kövek Rosé (dry rosé): 1000 / 7500 HUF
• Breitenbach Aszú (sweet white): 50ml / bottle – 1500 / 15000 HUF
Cocktails:
• Long Island, Miami Iced Tea, Speed: 3500 HUF
• Whiskey Sour: 3000 HUF
• Negroni, Kokoball: 3000 HUF
Soft Drinks:
• Max Lemonade, Tonic / Dry Tonic, Ginger Beer, Red Bull: 800 HUF
• Coca Cola, Coca Cola Zero, Fanta, Sprite: 600 HUF
• Apple – Ginger – Soda: 800 HUF
Szimpla Kert Markets
Every Sunday from 9am to 2pm, you have the Szimpla Kert’s Farmers Market offering a different experience from the one you’ll have at any other time. The place hosts 30-40 dedicated vendors, each a genuine producer, proudly showcasing their handcrafted goods: cheeses, honeys, and jams, mangalitza and game meats, and lots of fruits and veggies. Not to mention specialty items like truffle delicacies, spices, and sandwich spreads. Every product is locally sourced and chemical-free. And for foodies, the Szimpla Brunch upstairs offers unlimited delights featuring many vendor products.
There’s also a flea market brimming with antiques and second-hand wonders. From long-forgotten attic finds to cherished items of yesteryears, you can find a bit of everything.
Oh, and there’s a Szimpla Record & Collectorism Fair, which happens on the first Saturday of every week.
Music and concerts - free of charge
You don’t pay to get into Szimpla – not even when there’s live events. Three times a week there should be live music: it can be an underground band playing jazz, rock, folk, or simply jam sessions.
You can keep an eye on the calendar here, and have a sneak peak on past music events in Szimpla’s youtube channel.
Is it worth visiting Szimpla kert?
The answer can only be one – yes, visiting Szimpla is totally worth it, and one of the best things to do in Budapest. Besides its historic value as the the oldest ruin bar in Budapest, Szimpla Kert has a special vibe that nowhere else in the city can be seen this much. It’s definitely an important place to have the full Budapest experience, and made for everybody: you can go there at night to party, or – if you don’t like crowds and noise – go during the day just to admire it, or just to visit one of the fairs, and, eventually, support the local community. No fees to entry.
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• Best ruin bars in Budapest
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