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Inside Szimpla Kert, the first ruin bar

22 of the best · Budapest, Hungary

19 of the Best Bars in Budapest

Budapest invented the ruin bar, and its nights are some of the most fun in Europe. Here are the original ruin bars, the best rooftops for sunset and a great live-music venue.

Our 22 favourites, listed A–Z · Updated October 2026

Insiders' picks

Three of our favourites from this list, vetted by people who know and love Budapest.

  1. The original ruin bar

    Szimpla Kert

    Jewish Quarter·Ruin bar·€

    The bar that started Budapest’s ruin-bar craze, in a crumbling old building on Kazinczy Street filled with mismatched furniture and junk art.

    Kazinczy utca 14Explore View on map

  2. Basilica views

    High Note SkyBar

    Lipótváros·Rooftop bar·€€€

    The rooftop bar of the Aria Hotel, facing the dome of St Stephen’s Basilica, with cocktails and views across the city.

    Hercegprímás utca 5Explore View on map

  3. All-round views

    360 Bar

    Terézváros·Rooftop bar·€€

    A rooftop bar on top of a department-store building on Andrássy Avenue, with views in every direction and winter igloos.

    Andrássy út 39Explore View on map

The full list: Bars, A–Z

Show 19 of 22 places on a map
Neighbourhood

The back story 3

Wine and ruin bars.

  1. The back story

    Ruin bars: how Budapest turned ruins into bars

    Jewish Quarter·In depth: nightlife

    Crumbling courtyards, mismatched furniture and a bathtub sofa: the story of Budapest’s ruin bars.

    Explore View on map

  2. The back story

    Tokaji, Bull’s Blood and pálinka: drinking in Hungary

    Budapest·In depth: wine

    From the “wine of kings” to Bull’s Blood and fruit brandy: a guide to Hungarian drinks.

    Explore View on map

  3. The back story

    Unicum: the bitter story of the Zwack family

    Ferencváros·In depth: drinks

    A dark herbal liqueur from the 18th century, a famous round bottle and a family that brought it home.

    Explore View on map

Ruin bars 6

The bars that made Budapest famous, in the old buildings of the Jewish Quarter.

  1. Quirky and cosy

    Csendes Létterem

    Inner City·Ruin-style bar·€

    A quirky, cosy bar near the National Museum, decorated with vintage objects and art.

    Ferenczy István utca 5Explore View on map

  2. Garden and tacos

    Ellátó Kert

    Jewish Quarter·Ruin bar·€

    A relaxed garden ruin bar on Kazinczy utca, a favourite of locals.

    Kazinczy utca 52/BExplore View on map

  3. A ruin-bar courtyard

    Füge Udvar

    Jewish Quarter·Ruin bar·€

    A big courtyard ruin bar on Klauzál utca, with games and a lively young crowd.

    Klauzál utca 19Explore View on map

  4. Dance till dawn

    Instant-Fogas

    Jewish Quarter·Ruin bar & club·€

    A vast ruin-bar complex on Akácfa Street, with many rooms, bars and dance floors open late.

    Akácfa utca 49-51Explore View on map

  5. Summer garden

    Kőleves Kert

    Jewish Quarter·Garden bar·€

    An open-air garden bar beside the Kőleves restaurant on Kazinczy Street, relaxed and colourful in the warm months.

    Kazinczy utca 39-41Explore View on map

  6. The original ruin bar

    Szimpla Kert

    Jewish Quarter·Ruin bar·€

    The bar that started Budapest’s ruin-bar craze, in a crumbling old building on Kazinczy Street filled with mismatched furniture and junk art.

    Kazinczy utca 14Explore View on map

Rooftop bars 4

Cocktails with views of the Basilica, the Danube and the Chain Bridge.

  1. All-round views

    360 Bar

    Terézváros·Rooftop bar·€€

    A rooftop bar on top of a department-store building on Andrássy Avenue, with views in every direction and winter igloos.

    Andrássy út 39Explore View on map

  2. Basilica views

    High Note SkyBar

    Lipótváros·Rooftop bar·€€€

    The rooftop bar of the Aria Hotel, facing the dome of St Stephen’s Basilica, with cocktails and views across the city.

    Hercegprímás utca 5Explore View on map

  3. Chain Bridge views

    Leo Rooftop

    Buda·Rooftop bar·€€€

    A stylish rooftop bar and restaurant at the Buda end of the Chain Bridge, with views over the Danube and the Parliament.

    Clark Ádám tér 1Explore View on map

  4. Hungarian wines with a view

    St. Andrea Wine & Skybar

    Inner City·Wine & rooftop bar·€€€

    An elegant rooftop wine and cocktail bar in the Inner City, focusing on Hungarian wines.

    Deák Ferenc utca 3-5Explore View on map

Live music 2

Concerts and club nights.

  1. Bar, club and cultural space

    Auróra

    Józsefváros·Community bar·€

    A bar, club and community space in Józsefváros.

    Auróra utca 11Explore View on map

  2. Live music

    Dürer Kert

    Buda·Music venue & bar·€

    An alternative music venue and bar, now in south Buda close to the Danube, with concerts, club nights and a big outdoor space.

    Öböl utca 1Explore View on map

Wine bars 5

Hungarian wine and pálinka.

  1. Hungarian wine by the Basilica

    DiVino

    Lipótváros·Wine bar·€€

    A busy wine bar on the square in front of St Stephen’s Basilica, pouring only Hungarian wines.

    Szent István tér 3Explore View on map

  2. Wine and pálinka

    Doblo Wine & Brandy

    Jewish Quarter·Wine bar·€€

    A candlelit wine and pálinka bar on Dob utca.

    Dob utca 20Explore View on map

  3. Wine on Király utca

    Kadarka

    Jewish Quarter·Wine bar·€€

    A friendly wine bar on Király utca, named after a traditional Hungarian red grape.

    Király utca 42Explore View on map

  4. By Deák tér

    Madhouse

    Belváros·Bistro & bar·€€

    A bistro and bar by Deák tér, with wines and cocktails.

    Anker köz 1-3Explore View on map

  5. Wine by the Gellért

    Palack

    Buda·Wine bar·€€

    A wine and tapas bar on Szent Gellért Square, at the Buda end of Liberty Bridge.

    Szent Gellért tér 3Explore View on map

Craft beer 2

Hungarian craft beer.

  1. Craft beer ruin bar

    Élesztőház

    Ferencváros·Craft beer·€

    A big craft-beer bar in a former glassworks, with dozens of Hungarian beers on tap.

    Tűzoltó utca 22Explore View on map

  2. A beer lovers’ bar

    Hopaholic

    Erzsébetváros·Craft beer·€

    A small craft beer bar on Akácfa utca, with rotating taps.

    Akácfa utca 38Explore View on map

Prices: € budget, €€ moderate, €€€ expensive. Rooftops are busiest at sunset, so book a table if you can.

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