Old buildings revived to fulfill a new mission
Ruin Pubs ('rom kocsma' in Hungarian, literally: pub in a ruin) are located in formerly abandoned buildings in the city and are very popular hot spots. Most are open year-round, some are temporary outdoor pubs, open from May to September and some are located in the cellars of old houses. Live music with the best Hungarian bands, charming retro décor, unique atmosphere and late opening hours make these places perfect for party.
The recipe is simple: search for an old building in downtown Pest, rent the cellar and the ground floor, do not renovate anything, invite some contemporary artists and designers, recreate the atmosphere of the 70’s, build a bar and serve some drinks, invite a band and be open until the morning comes. Ruin Pubs certainly represent a new wave of entertainment in Budapest. The trend started about 10 years ago and although some places come and go or change ownership; you will always find a Ruin Pub that’s popular. Want to plan your nights out? Here are some of the most popular Ruin Pubs:
Corvintető
Corvintető, located on top of a department store, is the Ruin Pub with the best view of Budapest.
Address: Blaha Lujza tér 1-2
Location: Pest, District 8
Phone: (+36-20) 772-2984
Open: Monday - Sunday: 6 pm to 5 am
Dürer Kert
Foosball, table tennis, live music, a patio, hot food, cool drinks - Dürer Kert has it all.
Address: Ajtósi Dürer sor 19-21
Location: Pest, District 14
Phone: (+36-1) 789-4444
Open: Monday - Sunday: 5 pm to 5 am
Fogasház
Fogasház is a fusion of a cultural space and a pub where you can meet contemporary artists.
Address: Akácfa u. 51
Location: Pest, District 7
Phone: (+36-30) 243-0035
Open: Thursday-Saturday: 5 pm to 4 am, Sunday-Wednesday: 5 pm to midnight
Grandio Bar
Grandio is a Ruin Pub (and a party hostel located upstairs) with an inner courtyard, popular in the summer.
Address: Nagy Diófa utca 8
Location: Pest, District 7
Phone: (+36-20) 497-1558
Instant
Instant is one of the youngest Ruin Pubs in the city.
Address: Nagymező utca 38
Location: Pest, District 6
Phone: (+36-30) 830-8747
Open: Monday - Sunday: 4 pm to 3 am
Kuplung
Kuplung is a former garage, maintaining its grubby appearance.
Address: Király utca 46
Location: Pest, District 6
Open: Monday-Saturday: 5 pm to 4 am, Sunday: 6 pm to 4 am
Szimpla Kert
Szimpla Kert, the oldest Ruin Pub in Budapest, is a MUST. Szimpla is a good bet almost any night.
Address: Kazinczy utca 14
Location: Pest, District 7
Phone: (+36-1) 352-4198
Open: Monday - Sunday: noon to 3 am
Would you like to discover Budapest's famous Ruin Pubs? Join Tipsy Budapest for a unique and fun way to explore the city's entertainment hot spots.
A special thanks to ruinpubs.com for contributing photos and information on the ever-evolving life of ruin pubs in Budapest.
Hi guys!
We had a beautiful evening just opposite to the famous ruin bar,Szimpla.
The place called KEKLO,means blue horse in hungarian.
This is a bar and a fashion store,the owner is the hungarian designer,Toth Virag.The clothes are beautiful,they have a very original style,and not expensive.
See www.tothvirag.com
nice trend
are all these ruin bars open in winter? December?
@DaleUK - Yes, they are open during the winter.
@DaleUK - Yes they are open! I was there till 2nd January. Its closed only on 31st December.
Which one(s) would you recommend during winter then?
Anyone that is actually warm or are they all outside temperature or close to?