A visit to Budapest is incomplete without the memorable pub crawl through its historic ruin bars. History, culture and fun come together in this one-of-a-kind nightlife here, found in both famous and unusual spots in Europe. You won’t find ordinary pubs in Budapest—its ruin bars are full of history, expression and friendly people and exploring them together is unforgettable.

What Is a Ruin Bar?

Ruin bars (known as romkocsma in Hungarian) are unique to the nightlife in Budapest. They first started to appear in the city’s Jewish Quarter and District VII was the main area back then. Neglect lasted in the area for decades which caused many structures to be abandoned or disintegrate. Entrprising locals decided to turn these ruins into places where people can enjoy entertainment.

They kept a lot of the original character, so walls were crumbling, the furniture was mismatched, the decorations were unique and there was graffiti inside. The result? A relaxed but gritty mood that is both authentic and cozy. Ruin bars represent the creative, strong and easygoing vibe of Budapest these days.

Why Might Someone Want to Go on a Pub Crawl?

You can visit ruin bars by yourself, though joining a pub crawl has several benefits, mainly for those visiting them for the first time. This is why you should consider being part of an organized crawl.

• Guides have local insights on where to go which events to attend and which places to skip.
• Popular ruin bars are busy and have really long lines, so consider skipping the line. Crawls often get priority entry.
• Socialize: Meeting people is a big part of pub crawls. Couples, groups and solo adventurers will all come across people from everywhere.
• There are plenty of icebreakers, deals on drinks and free shots during most pub crawls.

Opening the Evening: Szimpla Kert

Any visit to ruin bars in Budapest should begin (or include) Szimpla Kert, the original and most popular of them. Szimpla Kert which is located on Kazinczy Street, was the original ruin bar and provided the standard for any ruin bars that opened after it. The inside of the hotel is much like a modern art display: old bikes hang overhead, guests sit in old bathtub chairs and no two rooms are the same.

Szimpla means more than a bar; it brings together art and culture. There are farmer’s markets and art exhibits held in Lubbock during the day. By night, the whole area becomes a popular spot with lots of bars, DJs and both local and foreign visitors.

Other Iconic Places: The Journey Goes on

Next, most people include stops at a mix of famous and undiscovered ruin bars:

Instant-Fogas Complex

This place is a massive party with several dance areas, because it joins the Instant and Fogas Ház ruin bars. All the rooms have different genres of music, including techno, hip-hop and indie and the lively wall art and bright lights give it a nightclub feel in a fantasy world.

Ellátó Kert

A place to sit back and enjoy the garden, as well as the bright street art on display, Ellátó Kert is a laid-back stopoff. It’s a great spot for craft beer drinks, music, conversations and gazing at the fairy lights and sky.

Grandio Jungle Bar

Even though it is behind an old and worn-out building, this bar is very lush. True to the name, Grandio actually has trees in its courtyard which gives the place a wild and jungle-like atmosphere. People who like to mix enjoying nature with city nightlife will love this place.

Csendes Vintage Bar

Although it doesn’t show up everywhere on the typical pub tour, Csendes gives visitors a less crowded experience. Because it is filled with interesting furniture and interesting artifacts, it’s a nice spot for a small drink before the party gets going.

A Cultural and Social Adventure

Besides the usual drinking and dancing, exploring ruin bars on a pub crawl can include cultural experiences. Ruin bars usually have different art pieces on display, support live performances from local performers and organize programs for local people. You will find Hungarian youth hanging out with backpackers, hear many languages and see people bonding genuinely.

A number of pub crawls present brief histories of the bars you go to, as well as interesting facts about Hungarian drinking. Clinking beer glasses was seen as a bad thing in Hungary for a long time and only recently things have changed, because of a 19th-century political protest.

Tips for Having a Great Night

Bear these points in mind to enjoy your pub crawl through the ruin bars in Budapest:

• Drink slowly: The fun lasts the whole night while drinks get stronger as time passes. Drink water and have a meal before you exercise.
• Carry some cash with you since not every ruin bar takes payments with cards for small items.
• It’s important to choose comfortable clothes, as everybody dresses casually in the clubs. Put on something that will help you move around while following the steps.
• Keep the Traditions: Attending a party means also respecting the venue’s culture and traditions. Be polite to both the space and the people inside it.

Final Thoughts

Going on a pub crawl at ruin bars in Budapest is not only about bars; it’s an opportunity to look at the city’s unique art, music and cultural scene. You will notice that the stories in Budapest’s bars begin with having fun in a bathtub and end with dancing under lights that hang from the ceiling. No matter if you visit the club every weekend or this is your first night, you’ll remember it long after, meet new people and maybe be a bit hungover in the morning.

Therefore, let’s put on fun clothes, use your interest and head for the best entertainment in Budapest at night. Cheers!