Koleves Kert photo by Elekes Andor-Wikimedia Commons.

10 Prodigious Ruin Bars in Budapest


 

Budapest just like other big cities has many buildings that have deteriorated in them. However, at the beginning of the new millennium, the owners of Szimpla Kert had the great idea that the best way of reutilizing these ruinous buildings is to convert them into bars.

And it was then the first ruin pub of Budapest the Little Szimpla which later became Szimpla Kert due to its success many other buildings that were to be torn down were converted into ruin bars.

This is how started the success story of ruin bars in Budapest and nowadays the Jewish Neighborhood is full of these bars.

Moreover, they are all characterized by original decoration, and a cool ambiance and they are the preferred option for young people to have a drink in Budapest in the afternoon or even to spend the whole evening.

Interestingly the ruin bars are institutions that organize local markets, movie projections, free concerts, and other interesting events that converted these ruin bars into reference points of the local culture for both tourists and residents. So here are the 10 prodigious ruin bars in Budapest.

1. Szimpla Kert

Szimpla Kert photo by JoshuaCrawford-Wikimedia Commons.

Szimpla Kert is a mythical ruin pub that most travelers already know before visiting Budapest. The pioneer of the ruin bars of Budapest has been mentioned several times on the list of the best pubs in the world.

The year 2001 was when Little Szimpla the first ruin bar opened its doors in Budapest in a different place and later in 2004 Szimpla Kert opened in its current place.

However, its unique atmosphere and decoration done with the use of a lot of creativity, and the huge selection of cultural events organized here converted this place into one of the most famous bars in Budapest in a very short amount of time. 

Practical Information:
Address: Budapest, Kazinczy u. 14, 1075 HUNGARY
Open: MON-THUR; 3 PM-4 AM/ FRI-SAT; 12 PM-4 AM/SUN; 9 AM-4 AM
Phone: +36 1 352 4198
Read more about Szimpla Kert here.

2. Puder Barszinhaz

On Raday Street one of the streets with the major selection of restaurants and terraces you will find Puder Barszinhaz a sophisticated example from the selection of ruin pubs in Budapest.

Moreover, the interior decoration was created by the team of the well-known designer Bertalan Babos Zsili who had already participated in the design of other ruin bars.

Collages, surreal sculptures together with colorful tables and chairs are all part of the unique decoration.

Furthermore, Puder Barszinhaz offers delicious meals and all kinds of drinks and also gives space to musical, theatrical, and other kinds of cultural events.

Practical Information:
Address: Budapest, Ráday u. 8, 1092 Hungary
Contact: +36 1 210 7168
Reservations: reservours.com

3. Koleves Kert

Koleves Kert photo by Elekes Andor-Wikimedia Commons.

In the heart of the Jewish neighborhood in Kazinczy Street known simply as the street of the ruin bars in Budapest, you can find Koleves Kert.

It opened more than a decade ago with its pleasant and spacious patio and it’s one of the best places to have beer on a warm summer afternoon.

Kleve’s defines itself as a modern restaurant that offers meals prepared only from bio-produce. Many students come here in the afternoon and it’s usually quite busy at night.

Practical Information:
Address: Budapest, Kazinczy u. 37-41, 1075 Hungary
Open: Monday to Friday:11:30 am-10 pm and Saturday: 12-11 pm, Sunday: 12-10 pm
Phone: +36 20 213 5999
Find out more about the 10 best non-touristy restaurants in Budapest here.

4. Instant- Fogas

Instant Fogas has probably the most impressive dimensions of the ruin pubs in Budapest.

However, it was created in 2017 by two bars that had already been important players in the world of ruin bars.

Instant was opened in 2008 but after a few years, it has been transformed into an icon of underground culture with some of the greatest parties and concerts in town.

FogasKert the other half of this new ruin pub was opened in 2009 and the two pubs became one of the most known clubs in Budapest after they merged.

Practical Information:
Address: Budapest, Akácfa u. 51, 1073 Hungary
Open: Monday- Sunday: 6 pm – 6 am 
Contact: +36 70 638 5040

5. Grandio Jungle Bar

The Grandio Jungle Bar is found on the patio of probably one of the most authentic hostels in Budapest the Grandio Party Hostel.

The dense vegetation forms part of the scenery together with works created by contemporary artists that have created a colorful and always lively space.

However, the ruin bar is open during the day and also at night, and its a popular meeting point for young people that want to either just have a drink in a relaxing atmosphere on a summer afternoon or it’s also a great place to meet up for the first drink before going out at night.

In addition, the Grandio Jungle Bar offers a lot of musical events and all kinds of parties.

Practical Information:
Address: Budapest, Nagy Diófa u. 8, 1072 Hungary
Open: Monday- Sunday: 8 am – 12 am
Contact: +36 70 670 0390
Explore more about the 10 coolest bars in Budapest here.

6. Ellato Kert and Taqueria

Ellato Kert is one of the newest contenders in the ruin pub market that opened its doors not so long time ago.

The relaxing atmosphere and the original furniture rapidly converted this bar into one of the favorites of District 7.

Apart from being a great place to have a drink on the open patio this bar is also a favorite of lovers of Mexican cuisine since they prepare delicious tacos in the restaurant. Inside you can find table football where you can have some fun with your friends.

Practical Information:
Address: Budapest, Kazinczy u. 48, 1075 Hungary
Contact: +36 20 527 3018
 
7. Elesztohaz

Elesztohaz is situated in an area that is much calmer than the Jewish neighborhood where most of these bars are found.

However, the name of the bar means “yeast” which nicely sums up the profile of this bar as since 2013 a large selection of craft beer has been served here.

More than 20 different types of craft beer are served day by day including the best from both Hungarian and international breweries.

Eleszto is also much more than a simple bar since they offer different kinds of cultural events where the best craft beer can be tasted in an underground and inspiring atmosphere.

Practical Information:
Address: Budapest, Tűzoltó u. 22, 1094 Hungary
Phone: +36 70 240 6270
Read more about the 10 bustling places to experience nightlife in Budapest here.

8. Durer Kert

Durer Kert photo by Christo-Wikimedia Commons.

Durer Kert is one of those ruin pubs that can be found relatively far from District 7. However, it is situated very close to City Park.

The history of the building dates back to the 19t century when it was a nun’s school after the Second World War, it became the property of the communist party and where Janos Kadar head of the Hungarian communist state swam occasionally.

The building finally ended up as a property of the main university of Budapest and in 2007 Durer Kert opened here as a great ruin pub. In the garden which is the gem of this ruin bar apart from having a drink, you can play boules, darts or simply relax.

Practical Information:
Address: Budapest, Öböl utca 1, 1117 Hungary
Open: Mon&Tue: closed, Wed/Thur&Sun: 7pm – 12 am, Fri & Sat: 10 pm- 6 am
Read more about Durer Kert here.

9. Csendes Vintage

Csendes Vintage Bar and Café opened its doors in the place of a restaurant that was in his previous.

The bar has different aspects during the morning when it works as a café, a romantic meeting point for couples whereas during the evening and at night it becomes a lively bar.

Csendes offers an ample selection of food and beverage however it also offers a space for social activities such as board games and it also hosts cultural events such as concerts and movie projections.

Practical Information:
Address: Budapest, Ferenczy István u. 5, 1053 Hungary
Open Mon- Thur: 2 pm- 12 am, Fri: 12 pm- 12 am, Sat: 2 pm – 12 am, Sun: 4 pm – 12 am 
Contact: +36 30 727 2100

10. Kuplung

One of the most spectacular designs you can see in the ruin bars of Budapest you will find in the interior of Kuplung.

Several artist groups participated in the creation of this design and these artists also fill the space of this bar with interesting cultural events such as cinema, theatre, exhibitions, or parties.

Practical Information:
Address: Budapest, Király u. 46, 1061 Hungary
Contact: +36 30 755 3527
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