There’s a lively mix of unique old bars, electric clubs and spontaneous hangouts in the city. Counted among Europe’s top party favorites, Budapest’s Jewish Quarter (District VII) has many idiosyncratic places with a lively atmosphere for nightlife. With the Ultimate Budapest Pub Crawl, you’ll hit the famous nightlife alongside locals who will show you the best pubs, best places to dance and help you connect with others from around the globe. This guide shows you how to have a fantastic pub crawl, including the best bars and expert advice for a night you will remember.

Explore the reason to join a Budapest Pub Crawl.

The most important part of Budapest’s nightlife is the array of ruin bars which are old buildings converted into interesting places to drink. You won’t see funky places like Szimpla Kert, with its covered walls, odd mix of chairs and seats turned from bathtubs, anywhere else. On a pub crawl, you won’t have to worry about wasting time at places frequented by tourists. You’ll be part of a social whirlwind, where solo travelers, people in groups and locals come together over lots of drinks and gaming fun. As our experts steer you, you’ll see places you never knew existed, get complimentary shots and glide past lines straight into clubs like Instant-Fogas.

How to Organize the Supreme Pub Crawl

Enjoying a good pub crawl means having lots to drink, pleasant establishments and the perfect speed. Enjoy this route filled with the city’s iconic ruin bars and curious venues for a great night that’s full of surprises. Usually, this crawl starts around 8:30–9:00 PM, meeting people in the Jewish Quarter at either Oktogon or Akvárium Klub.

At first, visit Szimpla Kert, the bar that started the ruin bar trend.

Have your first Budapest experience at Szimpla Kert which kickstarted the city’s ruin bar trend. With its unusual spaces decorated with fairy lights, antiques and played by live bands, this big venue is like a walking maze. Sample one of Hungary’s craft beers or enjoy a taste of pálinka, Hungary’s trademark distilled fruit brandy. Come to the park early so you can enjoy it without being crowded. Often, starting with a crawl sets the mood for the night. Spend some time in your group, enjoying each other’s company and getting to know one another.

At this point, branch off to Fogas Ház – a hub for all kinds of events.

The next stop should be at Fogas Ház (Akácfa u. 51), a large ruin bar complex with many rooms, each set up for a different mood—ranging from techno to quiet courtyards. Because of its great art on the streets and exciting music, Fogas makes for a great second spot. Grab a curated cocktail at a discount and play fun games with the group, since beer pong is a favorite to build rapport. After about 45–60 minutes, you should move to another section.

Next stop is Kőleves Kert or The Hidden Garden.

If you’re in search of a peaceful spot, try Kőleves Kert (at Kazinczy u. 37–41); it’s a garden bar where you can relax. Enjoying fairy lights and greenery, it’s perfect for sipping a fröccs and making new acquaintances. Part of some crawls is trying Hungarian drinking games such as saying a common toast. Give yourself 45 minutes of relaxation before you need to start being active again.

The Anker’t stop – The Urban Oasis

The Code Houses built on Paulay Ede Street With its mix of indoor and outdoor spaces, #33 lures tourists for its lively crowd and its cool industrial look. Have a taste of the brewery’s offerings or try a mixed drink and enjoy the party to music from DJs or bands. You often see free open bars at these places and it’s easy to start a conversation because things are open. Enjoy the event for approximately an hour.

The penultimate activity is found at Instant-Fogas Complex.

The night should end at the Instant-Fogas Complex (Akácfa u. 49–51) which is the biggest combined ruin bar and club in Budapest. Thanks to its various rooms and musical themes that include EDM and hip-hop, plus fast entry for most crawls, this is a great place to keep dancing all night. Come around midnight so the night can overtake you. This is usually the end of a crawl, but you may always party for as long as you’re able.

Recommendations for Making Your Crawl Stick Out

Reservations are necessary: Well-known crawls including Ultimate Budapest Pub Crawl and Party Deck Budapest regularly get booked, mostly on weekends. If you book online (using sites like GetYourGuide or TripAdvisor), you might pay less and make sure you have a place. The price you pay is generally between €15 and €35, depending on whether drinks include open bars or extra shots.

You might need to dress a bit better than smart-casual at Instant, even though the dress code is usually loose elsewhere. Keep your beachwear on, but choose footwear that is not too casual.

Remember that the free shots are easy to take and they will add up. Make sure to drink water and have a filling meal prior to starting—paired with Hungarian goulash, you’ll have plenty of stamina.

Protect your group: Just stay with your friends when you’re out in the dark. Always make sure your valuables are safe and use a bag that goes across your chest instead of your back to reduce the chance of being pickpocketed.

Read the Rules: District VII places many restrictions on pub crawls to avoid disturbing peace anywhere. Be calm and copy your guide’s actions to avoid causing offense in the area.

Get to Know Others: Because pub crawls are popular worldwide, they fit perfectly for travelers on their own. Share some drinks and organize challenges to help everyone interact more easily.

How to Find the Best Pub Crawl

Since there are a lot of data operators on the market, finding the right one matters a lot. This pub crawl is special because it’s adaptable, gives you a welcome drink or 2 hours of open bar and plans routes according to the group’s likes. Solo travelers will love Party Deck Budapest, thanks to the helpful guides and great photography. Bingo Bar Crawl is a great choice, since there are activities you can complete for chances to win tickets to special events. Regular crawls are held after dark, occur between 8:30–9:00 PM and last 4–5 hours, costing between €15 and €35.

The Reasons Why

You’ll find that The Ultimate Budapest Pub Crawl is not only about drinking, but also about experiencing how much locals love nightlife. Ruin bars will surprise you, local drinks will impress your taste buds and you can meet people from many different countries. Regardless if you are alone or with your group, enjoying a guided tour saves you effort and guarantees lots of entertainment. As someone on TripAdvisor pointed out, 

 “The best pub crawl in Budapest by FAR. We met the coolest people and ended at Instant, the perfect finale.”

Final Thoughts

Budapest’s nightlife is a bucket-list experience, and a pub crawl is the best way to dive in. From Szimpla Kert’s bohemian chaos to Instant’s pulsating dance floors, this route captures the city’s soul. Book your crawl, gather your crew (or make new friends), and get ready for a night of epic memories. Just don’t forget to toast with a “Cheers!”—or, in Hungarian, “Egészségedre!”