Ruin bars and relaxing spas – that’s why you come to Budapest. And while spas have been here since the Ottomans, ruin bars are a contemporary phenomenon, an after-dark trend that took off in the empty residential buildings and urban wastelands of District VII. Stuff the space with skip-found furniture and random knick-knacks picked up at flea markets, paint the walls garish colors, set up a long bar counter and perhaps a corner for DJ decks and – ta-da! – your ruin bar is complete. Soon cool antiquated pieces started popping up on every nearby street corner. District VII is now ruin bar central, bare-brick venues a dime-a-dozen anywhere within the Grand Boulevard. But which of these evocative havens still stand out from the crowd? Check out our list, the latest in our series of Ultimate Budapest.
Welcome to Ultimate Budapest! In our ultimate series we list the best of Budapest, its bars and spas, its boutiques and cafés, its sights and restaurants. Regularly updated, always on the ball, this is your go-to guide for everything that’s great about this great city.
2/10
Csendes Létterem
Stepping into this laid-back locale is a surreal experience for sure: mannequins, old toys, vintage knickknacks and a hobby horse hang above your head, abstract drawings adorn the walls, while century-old chandeliers and huge ornate columns enhance the charm of Csendes. The vibrant buzz attracts artists, students and couples for drinks, chatting and chilling, as this is more a café that transforms into a civilised bar in the evening than a pub per se. However, it overshadows rival venues with its characteristic individuality, which makes it worth a visit. In summer, check out the adjoining Csendes Társ serving as a lovely old-timey terrace by the wonderful inner-city green oasis of Károlyi-Kert.
4/10
Élesztőház
Élesztő is not so much a ruin pub because of its looks, but rather for its unique buzz and succulent suds. Although it’s a bit off the beaten path, this is the place to go for quaffing quality craft beers, as an ever-changing selection is provided here from 20 taps in total. Venture into the labyrinthine interior spaces of Élesztő and discover a vast selection of delicious wines, grilled meats, hot chocolate and pálinka brandies. Fun-filled Sunday farmer’s markets and sundry cultural events are also often held here.
5/10
Fogas Ház
Fogas Ház is one of the vanguards of the city’s ruin pub scene, enhanced with an eclectic, stylish and dilapidated design and dance floors to keep you moving all night. A popular techno club, Lärm, a dimly-lit wine bar with a roof terrace, Liebling, and another mega-popular ruin pub, Instant, are all elements within this cool party-complex, a major urban compound for all kinds of fun-seekers. Prices are reasonable, so dancing until dawn is often the norm.
7/10
Grandio
What makes Grandio stand out from the rest is if that one last drink was one too many, you can just stay the night as the building also serves as a party hostel. The garden looks like a jungle full of junk and plants, and anyone who enters is in for a madcap jamboree where you can unleash your inner rock star. This place is the playground of party animals, filled with all-nighters all the time.
9/10
Púder Bárszínház és Galéria
The ruin pub of restaurant-lined Ráday Street might seem a bit more upscale, yet it is an intriguing hangout and a hotspot for regular cultural events. The interior is true eye candy created by visual wizards, enhanced with colorful murals covering surfaces from floor to ceiling. Installations from local artists regularly adorn the walls. Púder is a quieter hangout that its counterparts, but it is well worth a visit for a few drinks shared with friends.
10/10
Szimpla Kert
As the pioneer of ruin pubs, Szimpla was one of the first to set up shop in hip District VII, and remains the most authentic of the genre. The interior looks like it was assembled from a second-hand shop selling old toys, bikes, all kinds of knickknacks, even Russian cars, complete with the works by local artists. As Szimpla is featured in every guide book, the crowd here is more international than local, but Hungarians often show up when local bands play live. Frequent community events such as Sunday farmer’s’ markets make this a site for inside-out delight.
