What are Ruin Bars?

Ruin bars or ruin pubs, are an unusual idea that appeared in Budapest, Hungary. You’ll see these famous bars inside Buildings In the Downtown 7th district, near old synagogues. As early as the 2000s, they developed because a creative movement wanted to transform unwanted parts of cities.

Rather than remodeling the buildings, the owners kept their run-down look and showed off the original walls, plaster and staircases. It features real, genuine hospitality along with interesting mismatched chairs, quirky items to look at, recycled goods and works by community artists. The result? A combination of urban dilapidation, a bohemian appeal and creative interest has fascinated both locals and visitors.

They’re not only places to drink, but also exciting cultural spaces that host art exhibitions, performances and provide places for people to gather.

What Makes Ruin Bars Special in Budapest

Although there are now pop-up and unconventional bar locations in many cities, Budapest ruin bars are truly different in both plan and result. These developments demonstrate the city’s ability to turn difficult post-communist architecture into something exciting and modern.

Many of central Budapest’s buildings declined in their condition or were left untouched following the collapse of communism. Budapest’s artists and businesspeople did not tear them down; they reconceptualized them as centers of nightlife and cultural activities. From the early 2000s, this idea grew because the city had low rents, a new bohemian spirit and people were hungry for community gatherings.

Besides, many ruin bars act as museums, telling the history of where they are located. Maintaining old aspects and mentioning history allows them to tie to the old era and introduce the new.

The Best Ruin Bars to See in Budapest

Szimpla Kert

Szimpla Kert is where the idea of ruin bars began and it’s still the most famous. Szentkiralyi first opened its doors in 2002, sparking the ruin bar movement and settling in a former stove factory on Kazinczy Street in the Jewish Quarter.

The insideis home to lots of open space, a large courtyard and numerous rooms decorated with vintage objects from furniture to electronics, strange artwork and a repurposed Trabant car.

As well as being a bar, Szimpla Kert uses its space for community events like film screenings, markets, live concerts and art exhibits. Tourists and fans of alternative nightlife often hold Szimpla Kert near and dear and many think it’s a great place to begin discovering Budapest’s nightlife.

Fogasház

“House of Teeth” is the nickname for Fogasház, a ruin bar that feels like a festival all the time. At the start, Fogasház could be found on Akácfa Street. Now, it is a large entertainment center.

Now, it consists of various bars, dancing areas, an arts gallery and describes its roof terrace, “Liebling”, as having beautiful city views. Live music events, open-air film nights and themed parties are held in the space.

Combining a cool design with vibrant programs, Fogasház appeals to visitors who want a mix of music and cultural activities.

Doboz

Doboz (Hungarian for “Box”) is another option for those who want a slightly better experience. This ruin bar, located in an old glass production factory, uses modern lighting, designer features and a party atmosphere inside a relaxing space.

A giant red gorilla sculpture in the courtyard holding onto an ancient tree is one of the main highlights—and many people take photos of it for their social media feeds. Thanks to its many dance floors, chic lounges and busy weekend cultures, Doboz pleases a more upscale audience but keeps its traditional ruin bar feel.

Advice for a Visit to Ruin Bars

While ruin bars are fun to visit, there are a few details to keep in mind.

• Go early: Huge crowds in ruin bars are common on weekends. If you want a decent spot, get there before everyone else does.
• Walking between ruin bars: Because most ruin bars are walkable from one another, you have the option to experience each place’s different atmosphere.
• Having cash is important: Despite more bars offering card payments, it’s best to keep some cash for incidental costs or simple expenses.
• Be mindful of what is around you: There are lots of unusual objects and artwork in these places, so avoid damaging anything and keep to the rules.
• You should taste typical Hungarian drink such as pálinka (fruit brandy) or fröccs (wine spritzer) when you visit.
• Keep in mind that daytime is an option too, as some ruin bars become cafes, host brunch events or offer useful coworking areas to anyone interested.

Conclusion

Enjoy unique and unforgettable nights when history, art and entertainment fuse in Budapest’s ruin bars. Seeing these one-of-a-kind places is essential when you’re in Budapest. You can see Szimpla Kert’s playful design, Fogasház’s special rooftop scene and the stylishness of Doboz in each ruin bar.

Regardless of what brings you to them, you’ll never forget your experiences at Budapest’s ruin bars. Grab whatever you want to drink, deal with the buzz and enjoy the exciting atmosphere of Europe’s most interesting bars.