Budapest is a city with a little something for everyone. That even applies to the famous ruin bars. There are plenty of spots for those that come to the city to party until all hours of the morning. That definitely doesn’t describe us and the things we like, but we still like to get out and have some fun sometimes.
Ruin bars are something not to be missed while visiting Budapest. After World War II, District VII (the old Jewish district) was left abandoned and run down. In the last few decades, quite a few people have moved into those abandoned buildings (some paying rent, some might not), and they fill the space with art and thrift shop finds and start serving alcohol. Initially, it was somewhat of an underground scene, but it’s become much more mainstream.
Our Favorite Ruin Bars in Budapest
So, we tested a few out in the week that we were in Budapest and we want to share the ones that we would recommend.
You may remember reading about ruin bars in this month 8 recap.
The One for Good Conversation
If you want the experience of a ruin bar, but you prefer afternoon tea instead of late night drinks, Csendes Létterem is the best choice for you. There are plenty of crazy weird objects to look at while enjoying your drink. The overall atmosphere is a little more laidback and quiet than the others.
The One with a Theme
Red Ruin is a communist themed bar and it would be impossible to miss the theme. It’s a little different than the other ruin bars because it doesn’t have a bunch of random items on the walls and ceiling. Instead, you will find cartoon drawings of communist leaders and themed drinks. The location is near the Central Market, so it’s the perfect place to stop for a cold drink while out exploring.
The Original Ruin Bar That Started It All
Szimpla Kert is the first of the ruin bars in Budapest. It opened in 2002 and then moved to its current location in 2004. The building used to be homes and a stove factory, but it was set to be demolished. It was spared and is now home to multiple rooms filled with strange objects and art.
As the original, Szimpla Kert is a feature on many of the pub crawls and has become a popular tourist destination. Even with the heavier foot traffic, it is still our favorite. It is quieter during the day so you can take your time walking through the different rooms.
Get more information on events and the place on their website.
Final Thoughts on the Best Ruin Bars in Budapest
We visited Budapest in November, so the weather wasn’t ideal for outdoor gardens. If you are visiting in the summer, make sure to add a few of the courtyard bars to your list. Here is a list of some others to check out.
You shouldn’t miss the chance to enjoy a cheap beer in a bathtub. Let us know which ruin bars you’ve visited or if you plan a trip to Budapest. It ended up being one of our favorite cities of our whole trip because there was so much to do. Read more about our Budapest Highlights.
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