Introduction

Hungary’s capital city, Budapest has a vibrant ‘night life’. Among the most interesting and famous site in the city of Budapest are the so-called Ruin Bars. These differentiate, artistic, and alive bars are popular attractions for tourists and residents today. Here, you will learn what ruin bar really means, its history, what made it unique and how to discover the best ruin bars near you in Budapest.

What are Ruin Bars?

Ruin bars are those bars or pubs that have been created from abandoned buildings usually in the Jewish Quarter of Budapest. These structures – old, pre-war, severely damaged during WWII or simply left to ruin during the 1990s – are now interesting and inventive spaces.

They do not amass a modern aesthetic on top of the beaten down constructions they call home. It shows a different mismatched furniture, vintage accessories, artwork and a very strongly emphasized bohemian concept. These bars have been transformed into viable places to gather; artists, musicians, and natives interested in a different type of nightlife.

History and Evolution

In 2001, Szimpla Kert became the first ruin bar in Budapest. It was first established as a pop up bar and because of the success it achieved, others were created. What was once a part of the ruin bars and a symbol of decay has now turned into an evenmore integral part of Budapest’s nightlife.

Ruin bars are cheap, innovative, and have low-prestige and these are the reasons that made them magnificent. They help to avoid stereotype of numerous other European cities presenting rather strict and posh bars and clubs.

What Makes Ruin Bars Special?

This brought me to the conclusion that one of the facets which define the character of the ruin bars is that they are able to merge history, art and entertainment. Beautiful and colourful, they provide space for locals artists to display their work through exhibition, create opportunities for music concerts and film festivals, drama and much more.

Ruin bars are popular places, which offer an atmosphere of nonjudgmental laid-back bohemia, embraced by people of different status. Apart from simply a bar, visitors can interact with the locals, other travelers and artist as they indulge in affordable drinks offered in the venue.

Which Ruin Bars are There in Budapest?

Jewish Quarter

This location is the essence of the ruin bars in Budapest where Jewish Quarter is positioned. Here, cocktail joint is hidden in the courtyards, along the walls and in the converted houses or old workshops. Ruin bars found in Budapest include Szimpla Kert, Instant, and Fogasház.

District VII

Another section of the city that has many ruin bars is District VII, or as it is called in Hungarian Erzsébetváros. For such eateries one can walk around the Kazinczy Street and Király Street areas to find less explored places like Ellátó Kert or Anker’t.

Other Areas

However, ruin bars can be located throughout the territory as far as the Jewish Quarter and District VII are famous for such places. Csendes, Köleves and Doboz are ruin bars located in various districts which are all quite varied.

Tips for Visiting Ruin Bars

Ruin bars are open in the evening and so to have a proper chance for enjoying them one should get there in the evening when the locals are getting ready to go out too and as a result, there are really crowded, mostly on the weekends.

Carry some cash with you as there are some of the small ruin bar may not accept credit cards.

Visit several ruin bars for each to give different feels and deals.

Other than that, ask people around and in different bars and find out some of the best kept secrets.

Don’t make a mistake thinking that these venues are just ordinary commercial places, and contribute to preserving the identity of art spaces.

Conclusion

Ruin bars have easily become one of the most popular nightlife destinations of Budapest that every visitor must not miss. Visiting such places, in terms of their individual and brilliant atmosphere, people, and adventures one can get a glimpse of the essence of Budapest. Therefore, the next time you are in Budapest it will be helpful if you do not limit yourself to traditional clubs, but explore the world of ruin bars found in Budapest’s nightlife.