Budapest, the capital of Hungary, is admired for its impressive buildings, rich history and lots of nightlife. If you want to feel the lively atmosphere of Budapest, you should try a pub crawl. If you are by yourself, with friends or open to meeting others, pub crawling is a great choice to enjoy the one-of-a-kind ruins, intimate bars and vibrant clubs and experience the city’s culture. Use this guide to plan a successful night out in Budapest, with advice on what to visit and important tips.
Look at the Benefits of Joining a Budapest Pub Crawl
Budapest’s nightlife is unique in Europe because of its ruin pubs which are transformed from old, abandoned places and are filled with one-of-a-kind decorations. Because of their alternative energy, these pubs create a special mood that cannot be found elsewhere.
On a pub crawl, you can visit more than one bar in a night, mostly in a group organized by a local and led by a guide. By doing a walking pub crawl, you can have fun at the city’s nightspots, meet other travelers and sample unique drinks such as Hungarian pálinka and beer. Furthermore, pub crawls usually have special drink prices, fun activities and get you into clubs without paying.
If you want to crawl across Budapest’s bar scene, these are the places to look for.
1. District VII – The area formerly known as the Jewish Quarter
The best places for pub crawls in Budapest are found in the Jewish Quarter by night. Many famous ruin bars such as:
Szimpla Kert started the ruin pub movement and remains one of the best-known places in Budapest. Since it has unique pieces of furniture, vintage ornaments and an artistic vibe, you should start your bar tour there.
At the Instant-Fogas Complex, multiple bars and dance areas are available under one giant venue. Clubbing here is a lively experience with dancing going on until late.
Kertem: During summer, this lively bar outside ensures you can enjoy drinks and chat with friends in the garden.
2. Gozsdu Courtyard
Gozsdu Courtyard is only a brief stroll from the Jewish Quarter and houses lots of bars, eateries and clubs. You can easily combine bar hopping with eating good food at this area. The lively setting and lots of people make it straightforward to connect with others.
3. Andrássy Avenue as well as its surrounding territory
Just near Andrássy Avenue, visitors can find classy cocktail bars, lounges and authentic old pubs. Visiting it is a relaxing way to rest after spending time in the busiest party areas.
Important Advice for a Fun Pub Crawl in Budapest
- Take a tour with a group guide for both your safety and convenience.
It is strongly advised to join a guided pub crawl if you’ve never been to Budapest before. Tours with local guides introduce you to the right places and make sure you return home safely. With a guided crawl, you usually receive discounted drinks and can skip the lines in clubs.
- Clothes and their appearance are still important.
Even though most ruin pubs and clubs are casual, certain upscale places may require you to wear nice clothes. It’s best to not wear sportswear or very casual attire to the venue to get through security.
- Keep yourself hydrated and make healthy nutrition choices.
Because Hungarian drinks may be very strong, drink a lot of water in between alcoholic drinks. It’s best to have a meal as you go along—pubs often offer goulash soup or langos (fried bread with topping) which can help lessen the effects of drinking.
- Carry Cash
A number of smaller bars and ruined pubs only take cash and some may be completely cash-only. You should keep some Hungarian forints (HUF) on hand to avoid facing any issues.
- Admire and Honor the Traditions of the Local Population
The locals in Budapest are nice and expect people to be respectful. Try to keep noise under control at bars, do not litter and be respectful towards everyone.
- Figure out Your Travel Plans
After midnight, the public transport in Budapest isn’t available, so you should take a taxi or use ride-hailing services such as Bolt instead. It’s best to set the fare amount ahead or to hire taxis licensed by authorities to avoid being scammed.
- Be Able to Discover the End of the Cycle
Your night in Budapest may last well into the early morning, yet make sure to stay alert to your body’s needs. Do not overdo it if you begin to feel tired or intoxicated and leave the party early to prevent any problems.
Top Drinks That Should Be On Your Created Crawl
Pálinka: A famous Hungarian brandy made from different fruits such as apricot, plum and cherry. Its taste may be strong, but palinka is an important part of Hungary’s drinking customs.
There are many craft beer places in Budapest now, so taste some local brews at locations such as Élesztő or Csak a Jó Sör.
Unicum is a well-known Hungarian herbal liqueur that is savored as a digestif for its bitter taste.
Alternatives to Pub Crawl
If you’re keen for something different, you can also try out themed pub crawls in Budapest.
Visit Hungary’s famous wine regions by going on pub crawls and tasting various wines at different wine bars.
These pub crawls give vegan and vegetarian travelers a chance to visit pubs and eateries that serve vegan meals.
Final Thoughts
A pub crawl in Budapest lets you experience more than a great night out — it’s an exciting cultural visit. As you explore the different ruin pubs, you’ll find Budapest’s unique culture, join travelers from other places and keep the memories for years ahead.
Basically: begin at the Jewish Quarter, remember to pace your energy and bring drinking water, carry some cash and most of all, have a great time. If you want to celebrate or party or just want a fun night off, Budapest’s pub crawl has lots to offer. Make sure to team up with a friend or two, get your best walking shoes and see Budapest from a local’s point of view.
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