Most of the city’s nightlife centers in the Jewish Quarter of District VII, where you’ll find numerous hidden bar gems, craft beer joints and underground speakeasies that bring energy and excitement. Roughly between Király Street, Erzsébet Boulevard and Dohány Street, this is where the nightlife has grown from a postwar scar to a world-famous party district. The assortment of bars, friendly prices and lively atmosphere in the Budapest district ensure locals and guests shoulder-to-shoulder can enjoy an unforgettable evening.
In the early 2000s, the district started to flourish when ruin pubs, a special Hungarian invention, appeared in the area left empty after communism. Energy-filled entrepreneurs and artists filled empty buildings with mismatched furniture, street art and unusual installations so they could host cultural events as well as serve drinks. Szimpla Kert started in 2004, was the first of its kind and made an old, ruined courtyard into a favorite spot where music and lively decor brought many people. The area has numerous clubs now and every one offers something special, from simple dive bars to upscale cocktail lounges.
Walking around in the bar area is a bit like exploring a huge art exhibit. There are narrow roads like Kazinczy and Wesselényi and these are decorated by twinkling courtyards, ledge walls covered in street art and busy terraces filled with talkative life. Found at Gozsdu Udvar, a collection of adjoining courtyards, are many bars, restaurants and street food stalls buzzing with nightlife. At this spot, try a local beer at Fekete Kutya for its friendly environment and special Hungarian snacks or have some pálinka at a temporary stand listening to live music.
Szimpla Kert is still the highlight of Budapest District and it’s essential to see for its unique architecture and role in the city. Rooms in the venue, decorated with vintage bikes and more, sometimes host farmers’ markets and other events including DJ music. In the same area, you’ll find Fogas Ház, mixing club vibes with that of an ancient ruin, with several dance places and rooftop bars. Looking for something relaxed? You’ll find a friendly courtyard and inexpensive drinks at Füge Udvar and Ellátókert appeals with its tough charm and varied beers.
Pub ruins are not the only bars you’ll find in the neighborhood; it’s also home to a wide range of bars. You’ll find the casual bar Kadarka on Király Street if you’re into sipping Hungarian varietals, including Tokaji and Kékfrankos. At Black Swan which is a speakeasy on Klauzál Street, you’ll have expertly made cocktails and enjoy a mysterious setting. Especially for craft beer lovers, Labor is a favorite, where the unusual bar by Mad Scientist Brewery offers its beers in conical flasks and lists them on a menu inspired by periodic tables. This area demonstrates how well it can meet the needs of people interested in either an artistic or a polished atmosphere.
The cost of enjoying the bar district makes it very popular. It’s around €2 for a pint of traditional Hungarian beer and cocktails are usually €5 to €7. There are many choices, as there are food trucks serving chimney cakes and bars offer goulash or lángos. Because everything is accessible by foot, you can barhop easily around the district. Switching from a ruin pub to a wine bar and then a club is easy and most places keep going until at least 2 a.m.
Enjoying the food is made richer by the district’s cultural significance. Dohány Street Synagogue and the plaques in District VII tell the moving story of the Jewish ghetto during World War II. Ruin pubs which were created from Jewish business areas or tenements, represent a new start by giving new life to abandoned structures. A lot of bars have events such as art events, films or live music which makes it difficult to tell if it’s a nightclub or a cultural spot. It’s one of the places where locals can connect during workshops and charity events.
Still, there are some problems in the bar district. Many stag parties and tourists are now visiting this place which is causing local residents to complain much more about the noise and crowds. A few believe the original idea of bohemia has been lost because, nowadays, many bohemian spaces are built mainly for earning profits rather than maintaining character. You can stay away from tourism when you choose a unique place like Csendes or ask local people for their favorite spots. Overall, it’s safe, although you should watch your belongings in places that often get crowded.
The Budapest bar district shows how creative and determined the city’s people are. It’s somewhere where the past and present meet and a €2 drink might see you heading to the dance floor, to a debate or a music discovery. You can either let loose at Instant or talk over drinks at Kadarka—either way, the district provides. It welcomes the free to experiment, the artistic to produce and it honors Budapest’s ability to make old sites fun. Go to District VII and let the night lead your way.
