Budapest’s Ruin Bars

Hungary

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Budapest’s ruin bar scene is so much fun. After WWII and the Cold War, many buildings in the Jewish Quarter of Budapest had fallen into ruin. Some bar owners took over abandoned buildings and courtyards in Budapest’s historic center and re-purposed them into extremely cool bars. Once in, it’s sensory overload so with drink in hand spend your time exploring each and every cranny. You’ll see mismatched furniture, eclectic antiques, graffiti – we even stumbled upon a room that only had a non-working toilet…Yes, it’s a younger crowd, but everyone is welcome.

Szimpla Kert is probably the most iconic. If you’re going to visit only one, make it this one. Other great options are Instant and Fogas, Csendes Letterem, Koloves Kert, Élesztő, Grund, Udvar Rom, Potkulcs, Negyszaz, Mika Kert, Ellato Kertm Koleves.