The back story 1
How Budapest goes out.
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The back story
Budapest after dark
Ruin bars, a concert ship, open-air summer gigs and jazz: how Budapest goes out.

15 of the best · Budapest, Hungary
Budapest is one of Europe’s great nights out: ruin bars in crumbling courtyards, a concert ship on the Danube, clubs in the party district, jazz cellars, summer open-air concerts and rooftop bars.
Our 15 favourites, listed A–Z · Updated October 2026
Three of our favourites from this list, vetted by people who know and love Budapest.
The original 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
A club on a ship
A former stone-carrying ship moored on the Danube by Petőfi Bridge, now one of Budapest’s best concert and club venues.
Under Erzsébet Square
A club and concert venue beneath Erzsébet Square, under a glass-bottomed pool.
Erzsébet tér 12Explore View on map
How Budapest goes out.
The back story
Ruin bars, a concert ship, open-air summer gigs and jazz: how Budapest goes out.
The best venues for a night out.
A club on a ship
A former stone-carrying ship moored on the Danube by Petőfi Bridge, now one of Budapest’s best concert and club venues.
Under Erzsébet Square
A club and concert venue beneath Erzsébet Square, under a glass-bottomed pool.
Erzsébet tér 12Explore View on map
Summer concerts
A big open-air concert venue on the Pest riverside, open from spring to early autumn.
Soroksári út 60Explore View on map
A club with a garden
A club in the party district, with dance floors and a tree-filled garden.
Klauzál utca 10Explore View on map
A big party club
A large, cheerful party club on the Grand Boulevard, with several bars and dance floors.
Szent István körút 11Explore View on map
The famous ruin bars.
A ruin-bar courtyard
A big courtyard ruin bar on Klauzál utca, with games and a lively young crowd.
Klauzál utca 19Explore View on map
Dance till dawn
A vast ruin-bar complex on Akácfa Street, with many rooms, bars and dance floors open late.
Akácfa utca 49-51Explore View on map
The original 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
Concerts and jazz.
Live jazz nightly
A long-running jazz club near Margaret Bridge, with concerts most nights.
Hollán Ernő utca 7Explore View on map
Jazz in a music house
A centre for contemporary music and jazz, with the Opus Jazz Club downstairs.
Mátyás utca 8Explore View on map
Live music
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
Rooftop bars.
All-round views
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
Basilica views
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
Check the programme before you go. For ruin bars and rooftops, see our Bars list.