Did you know that in Budapest the old warehouses, decrepit factories, and even abandoned apartment buildings are being transformed into the hippest places to go out? On our visits to the city we’ve had the pleasure of frequenting many of these ruin bars! The majority of them are located in the Jewish Quarter, but others are quickly springing up in different areas of Budapest. The ruin bars are not only a fun way to experience nightlife, but places like Anker’t and Ellato Kert are one of the things that make this city unique. From upscale artsy hangouts to funky dives, we’ll show you the best ruin bars in Budapest and what makes them so special!

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Quick History of Ruin Bars in Budapest Hungary

Ruin bars first jumped on the scene in the early 2000’s and quickly captivated their patrons. Yet before places like Ellato Kert could take shape it all started with one building in the Jewish Quarter. We’ll get to the name of that famous ruin bar soon, but know that it began the whole movement!

To make a long story short, a group of people in Budapest basically saved a warehouse from getting demolished and turned it into a bar. Then instead of remodeling it completely, they built around the rubbish and added quirky decor and furniture.

These days the Budapest ruin bars have become a fun way to view local art, take in music, and have some drinks with friends. They’re truly a tourist destination in themselves with more and more popping up each year! A portion of the Budapest ruin bars close down for winter as they’re set outdoors. Be sure to check which ones stay open through the colder months before you go!

5 Best Ruin Bars in Budapest Hungary

5. UdvarROM

You may not hear UdvarRom mentioned in Budapest ruin bar circles, but we can assure you it’s quite the experience. So what makes UdvarRom so special? Well, let’s start with it’s dual purpose. It actually serves as bar AND a hostel! The bar portion has rows of picnic tables, music posters, and game rooms flanking the sides.

Unity Hostel is located upstairs and you’ll see backpackers coming in and out at all times. I guess what’s better than having some of the cheapest beer and wine in Budapest inside the place you’re staying… Right?

In addition, there’s even a Deep Burger restaurant chain in the front for when you get hungry. This ruin bar definitely attracts a younger and more alternative crowd as I’m sure you can imagine. Just be careful because you might never want to leave!

Book Unity Hostel at UdvarROM HERE!

Location: Budapest, Klauzál u. 21, 1072 Hungary

4. Anker’t

Up next is one of the hippest outdoor ruin bars in all of Budapest. During the day Anker’t is a laid back spot to grab a drink and meet up with friends. We loved the bright colored tables, great beer selection, and cool vibes of the wide open outdoor area. Looking up at the abandoned buildings that surround Anker’t definitely makes you appreciate the cool space they’ve built so much more.

At night it switches to more of a nightclub vibe with fun dance music, and even a spot to grab food. We only experienced it during the day because that’s more of our style, but our best guess is that it gets wild when the sun goes down! Make sure to try the vegan pizza bar near the entrance of Anker’t if you need a snack to go with your Hungarian beer.

Location: Budapest, Paulay Ede u. 33, 1061 Hungary

3. Ellato Kert

Out of all the best ruin bars in Budapest we gravitated towards this one right away! The colors and hipster-like vibes were a fun switch up from Anker’t and the more upscale places in the city. We enjoyed the unique furniture, chill music, and backyard feel! So what makes Ellato Kert one of the most unique places Budapest? Well… They serve Mexican food!

I bet you didn’t think you were finding tacos in the capital of Hungary, but that’s exactly what they have here. The street food is a nice bonus to an already happening place, and you’re sure to have a blast at Ellato Kert whether it’s day or night! We did run into a few rowdy bachelor parties here which is a common occurrence in Budapest. However, we were way too busy eating our burritos to pay them any mind!

Location: Budapest, Kazinczy u. 48, 1075 Hungary

2. Mazel Tov

If you’re looking for something more upscale than Ellato Kert on your Budapest ruin bar tour grab a bite at Mazel Tov. It’s the only place on this list that you’ll likely need a reservation, but you won’t regret it! The beautiful courtyard gives off a more exclusive feel, yet it’s also laid back enough where you can wear shorts and a tank top in.

The food is Middle Eastern themed and there’s plenty of delicious options to choose from. You can’t go wrong with a falafel pita, but we recommend getting hummus and exploring the rest of the menu as well. We went here on Brigitte’s birthday and it was honestly one of the best meals we had on our entire Europe trip! For more tips on where to eat check out our article A Food Lovers Day in Budapest.

Location: Budapest, Akácfa u. 47, 1072 Hungary

1. Szimpla Kert

Finally we made it to #1! You can’t talk about the best bars in Budapest without bringing up Szimpla Kert. It’s the original ruin pub that started it all and features some incredible artistry in each room. There’s soooo many, but our favorite rooms were the gardens upstairs, the open air back area, and of course the bathtub room on the first level.

Yes, that’s right. You can have your beer in a bathtub at Szimpla Kert! Located in the heart of the Jewish Quarter, you won’t find a more lively and fun atmosphere anywhere in Budapest. No matter where we were in the city we always found ourselves wandering over here for a quick beer.

Try the Cherry Meggy Ale by the way… It’s delicious! We suggest going early to beat the crowds and so you can enjoy wandering from room to room. In addition to being one of the most fun places to hang and listen to live bands, Szimpla Kert even has a farmers market every Sunday morning.

Location: Budapest, Kazinczy u. 14, 1075 Hungary

What do you think the best ruin bars in Budapest are? Let us know in the comments below!