Top 5: Ruin Bars in Budapest

The ruin bar is a uniquely Budapest idea; nothing quite like these sprawling warrens of randomness can be found anywhere else in the world. Picture this: An abandoned and derelict building, renovated (or not-so-renovated) and decorated with decaying furniture, mismatched decorations and even pieces of old cars. The best have a courtyard in the middle, then passages and corridors connecting rooms where a surprise is waiting around each corner. You may find a foosball table tucked into a closet. Or maybe a whole other bar on the rooftop. Whether you’re looking for a quiet place to have a coffee or a raging party, you can find it in a ruin bar in Budapest. Here are the five best:

Szimpla Kert

The original and still the best. They also produce and show their own line of films.

Instant

With six dance floor, 26 rooms and seven stages, Instant is one of the biggest. On top of the bar there is a hostel, but don’t stay there if you plan on getting any sleep.

Fogas Ház

A giant pair of teeth hang over everything in the courtyard of this ruin bar. Not only a bar, Fogas Ház bills itself as a cultural reception space.

Dürer Kert

Bordering the city’s main park, Dürer is famous for hosting live bands. You can also play a variety of games, from darts to bocce.

R33

A slightly classier option (if a ruin bar can be classy), R33 is a favorite of the after-work crowd. They offer concerts, exhibitions, talent shows and parties, besides hosting their own radio station and record publisher.