Inside Szimpla Kert, the first ruin bar

15 of the best · Budapest, Hungary

The Best Nightlife in Budapest

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

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. A club on a ship

    A38

    Buda·Concert ship·Ticket

    A former stone-carrying ship moored on the Danube by Petőfi Bridge, now one of Budapest’s best concert and club venues.

    Explore View on map

  3. Under Erzsébet Square

    Akvárium Klub

    Inner City·Club & concert venue·Ticket

    A club and concert venue beneath Erzsébet Square, under a glass-bottomed pool.

    Erzsébet tér 12Explore View on map

The full list: Nightlife, A–Z

Neighbourhood

The back story 1

How Budapest goes out.

  1. The back story

    Budapest after dark

    Budapest·In depth: nightlife

    Ruin bars, a concert ship, open-air summer gigs and jazz: how Budapest goes out.

    Explore View on map

Clubs & concert venues 5

The best venues for a night out.

  1. A club on a ship

    A38

    Buda·Concert ship·Ticket

    A former stone-carrying ship moored on the Danube by Petőfi Bridge, now one of Budapest’s best concert and club venues.

    Explore View on map

  2. Under Erzsébet Square

    Akvárium Klub

    Inner City·Club & concert venue·Ticket

    A club and concert venue beneath Erzsébet Square, under a glass-bottomed pool.

    Erzsébet tér 12Explore View on map

  3. Summer concerts

    Budapest Park

    Ferencváros·Open-air concert venue·€€

    A big open-air concert venue on the Pest riverside, open from spring to early autumn.

    Soroksári út 60Explore View on map

  4. A club with a garden

    Doboz

    Jewish Quarter·Club·€€

    A club in the party district, with dance floors and a tree-filled garden.

    Klauzál utca 10Explore View on map

  5. A big party club

    Morrison’s 2

    Lipótváros·Party club·€

    A large, cheerful party club on the Grand Boulevard, with several bars and dance floors.

    Szent István körút 11Explore View on map

Ruin bars 3

The famous ruin bars.

  1. 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

  2. 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

  3. 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

Live music 4

Concerts and jazz.

  1. Rock and metal

    Barba Negra

    Buda·Concert venue·€€

    A concert venue in south Buda, with rock, metal and alternative bands.

    Explore View on map

  2. Live jazz nightly

    Budapest Jazz Club

    Újlipótváros·Jazz club·Ticket

    A long-running jazz club near Margaret Bridge, with concerts most nights.

    Hollán Ernő utca 7Explore View on map

  3. Jazz in a music house

    Budapest Music Center & Opus Jazz Club

    Ferencváros·Jazz club·Ticket

    A centre for contemporary music and jazz, with the Opus Jazz Club downstairs.

    Mátyás utca 8Explore View on map

  4. 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

Rooftops & lounges 2

Rooftop bars.

  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

Check the programme before you go. For ruin bars and rooftops, see our Bars list.

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