What do you get when you combine abandoned pre-WWII buildings, thrift store furniture, alcohol, and cool people? A very popular bar!
From the outside, these bars look exactly how they sound. Ruin bars, or ‘Romkocsma’, are located in abandoned buildings and factories with very little adornment on the outer part of the buildings. The insides, however, tell a different story. These once under the radar bars are full of colourful lights, graffiti, and mismatched furniture. They have become a quintessential part of a trip to Budapest. While there are several options for ruin bars, here are a few special ones.
Szimpla Kert
This is the bar that started the trend. It is the oldest and largest ruin bar that contains themed rooms and a beautiful courtyard. It is open morning until night so you can go multiple times a day, depending on whether you want to browse a farmer’s market or grab a drink and listen to music.
Anker’t
A converted former factory made up of connecting courtyards with a minimalist design. This is home to Sunday Vegan Food Markets so it is also incredibly popular among the locals. Anker't also has pop up events and popular DJ’s showing up at random. They even have disco nights!
Mazel Tov
Think of this bar as an upscale version of the ruin bar concept. It is quite a popular Israeli and Mediterranean restaurant among tourists and the inside is slightly more aesthetically pleasing than the average ruin bar. There is a lot of greenery and hostesses to serve the patrons.
Instant and Fogas Ház
These two connected bars are a hub of underground culture. It is a great spot for those who love a crazy party or concert. It is a combination of restaurants, bars, and party halls that each have unique attributes to appeal to certain tastes. Whether you like techno or rock music, they have something for everyone.
If you want an authentic experience in Budapest nightlife or underground culture, then it is important to head over to Kazinczy street in District 7 (the old Jewish quarter). You will literally stumble upon several places to grab a drink with a cool atmosphere.
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