{"id":480,"date":"2025-10-06T13:19:34","date_gmt":"2025-10-06T10:19:34","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/aleksblog.com\/en\/?p=480"},"modified":"2025-10-06T14:24:41","modified_gmt":"2025-10-06T11:24:41","slug":"budapest-ruins-bar","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/aleksblog.com\/en\/budapest-ruins-bar\/","title":{"rendered":"Budapest Ruins Bar"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Budapest Ruins Bar<\/span><\/strong><\/h1>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n
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\"Aleks<\/p>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n

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Besides taking photos with the Parliament and the bridges in the background, every self-respecting tourist must complete the following minimum program in Budapest.<\/p> <\/div>\n<\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n

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\"\u0411\u0443\u0434\u0430\u043f\u0435\u0448\u0442\"<\/p> <\/div>\n<\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n

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I can already guess, my dear rascals, that you\u2019re clearly waiting for the third point and with pictures… But let\u2019s start from the first.<\/p>\n

Today, it\u2019s all about the ruin bars. And yes, I do believe that visiting the ruin bars in Budapest is a must for everyone. Budapest\u2019s ruin bars are something more than just a place to have a drink. They\u2019re a part of the city\u2019s modern history and its culture.<\/p> <\/div>\n<\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n

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Szimpla Kert<\/h2>\n

Budapest, Kazinczy u. 14<\/a> (here and below, the address links to Google Maps).<\/p>\n

It all started in 2002, when a few young entrepreneurs in the Erzs\u00e9betv\u00e1ros district decided to start pouring beer. Not on a big scale \u2014 just for friends. At the time, the neighborhood looked rather depressing: most of the buildings were in desperate need of renovation, there were plenty of abandoned ones, and the general atmosphere was bleak.<\/p>\n

One of those derelict buildings, marked for demolition, was turned into a friendly bar. They took over the ground floor, brought in old sofas, armchairs, and chairs from their garages. Decorations were found in nearby dumpsters. Basically, they dragged in anything that might come in handy.<\/p> <\/div>\n<\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n

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The first ruin bar was named Szimpla, which in Hungarian means \u201csimple.\u201d<\/p>\n

Most people didn\u2019t have the money to hang out in \u201cNew York\u2013style<\/a>\u201d places, but spending time with friends in such an unusual spot \u2014 and with such interiors \u2014 felt like a real adventure. Szimpla quickly became popular.<\/p> <\/div>\n<\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n

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Little by little, other caf\u00e9s, kebab places, and bars began to open nearby. When in 2007 the city authorities finally found funds to renovate the neighborhood and announced that the first ruin bar would be closed, the people of Budapest protested and managed to save Szimpla.<\/p>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n

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I read an interesting fact in one media outlet.<\/p>\n

During World War II, the Erzs\u00e9betv\u00e1ros district was turned into a ghetto, from which thousands of Jews were deported. After the war, many buildings were occupied by Roma people, then they moved out, and the neighborhood became a very sad sight. In the very center of the city, entire streets were filled with abandoned buildings.<\/p>\n

But! Starting in 2002, when Szimpla and similar venues kicked off the gentrification process, Erzs\u00e9betv\u00e1ros began to attract higher-income residents more often, increasing the neighborhood\u2019s investment appeal.<\/p>\n

And now? Erzs\u00e9betv\u00e1ros is the center of nightlife and partying for all of Europe\u2019s youth (ahem \u2014 and boomers, Gen Y, and everyone else too).<\/p> <\/div>\n<\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n

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Szimpla is open day and night. Entry is free.<\/p>\n

During the day, there are fewer people, so you can walk around calmly and take photos \u2014 there\u2019s a photo spot on every meter. If you get thirsty, there are bars with friendly bartenders on both floors. Beer on tap or in bottles. There\u2019s no food inside, but just around the corner from Szimpla is Street Food Karavan \u2014 street food from food trucks.<\/p>\n

On Sundays, Szimpla hosts a flea market.<\/p> <\/div>\n<\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n

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In the evening, security checks bags – no knives, weapons, or water allowed; drugs – I\u2019m not sure. That\u2019s why on Fridays and Saturdays there\u2019s usually a line at the entrance. Entry is still free. Inside, there are a lot of people, some just walking around and looking. No one forces anyone to drink or buy anything. The atmosphere is relaxed. Getting to the bar is tricky \u2014 you\u2019ll have to wait.<\/p> <\/div>\n<\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n

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Csendes<\/h2>\n

Budapest, Ferenczy Istv\u00e1n u. 5.<\/a><\/p>\n

Csendes in Hungarian means \u201cquiet.\u201d<\/p>\n

In terms of atmosphere, it\u2019s more like a regular bar with original design. There\u2019s a waiter and a menu. Don\u2019t expect a full meal \u2014 just snacks like chips and olives. For drinks, there\u2019s a local lager, IPA, and cocktails.<\/p>\n

All the attributes of a hipster ruin bar are present. A bathroom cut in half so two people can sit comfortably. Old floor lamps, umbrellas, bikes, chairs worn through decades, and other junk scattered around every corner.<\/p> <\/div>\n<\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n

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The biggest downside of this ruin bar is its opening hours. On Sundays, it\u2019s closed. On other days, it opens at 6 PM and closes at midnight. We arrived at 11 PM, and the bartender was already wiping down the taps, while the waiter sadly informed us that he wouldn\u2019t even fetch a bottle of beer from the fridge \u2014 he had to start wiping tables soon.<\/p>\n

But I\u2019m a blogger, so I had to drag myself there again just for you. Overall, I liked the ruin bar. I recommend it.<\/p>\n

By the way, are you aware that it\u2019s generally not acceptable to stay in one place for more than an hour? The Budapest drinking marathon won\u2019t complete itself.<\/p> <\/div>\n<\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n

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Mazel Tov<\/h2>\n

Budapest, Ak\u00e1cfa u. 47<\/a><\/p>\n

I don\u2019t know who includes it in lists of ruin bars or why it has such a high rating on maps. From the outside, judging by the fa\u00e7ade, it looks like everything inside should be fine. You go in and immediately realize that it\u2019s just a regular glamorous restaurant \u2014 and a Jewish one at that.<\/p>\n

You\u2019re greeted by a hostess, three menus \u2014 kitchen, bar, specials \u2014 a bunch of waiters, manager-supervisors. Prices match the vibe. In short, you get the idea\u2026 Budapest has plenty of other restaurants with Hungarian cuisine, not all these falafels and hummus. And another downside \u2014 in summer, this greenhouse (an inner courtyard with a glass roof) can get unbearably hot; in a huge hall, there\u2019s only one fan.<\/p> <\/div>\n<\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n

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Lampas<\/h2>\n

Budapest, Dob u. 15<\/a><\/p>\n

A small basement space. They open at 6 PM and honestly stay open until midnight and beyond. On weekends, they host concerts in the \u201cHello, we\u2019re looking for talent\u201d series. No waiters or menus. Service is at a small bar counter. There\u2019s only one bartender, so lines are possible. The selection is limited, but the beer prices are the lowest in the area. As for food, at most chips and nuts. You pay at the bar and find a spot.<\/p>\n

The downside \u2014 it gets stuffy when there are many people, and there\u2019s that typical basement smell.<\/p> <\/div>\n<\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n

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Where else to go<\/h2>\n

Budapest has around twenty ruin bars or drinking spots that consider themselves as such. Szimpla is number one \u2014 a must-visit, even if some of the newly trendy locals wrinkle their noses.<\/p>\n

If the ones I\u2019ve mentioned aren\u2019t enough, here are a couple more worthwhile ruin bars to check out:<\/p>\n