Szimpla Kert Ruin Bar

Szimpla Kert is one of the best bustling ruin bars in Budapest, and the oldest of them all, with a vibrant atmosphere, eclectic crowds on most nights, enjoying a live concert, film screening, chatting, people watching and clubbing. Spot on. Drinks are mostly (including craft beers and cocktails) at reasonable prices. The ruin bar offers fresh bakery products, home made style street foods, and delicious warm meals too.

All in all, Szimpla Kert (which literally means Simple Garden) is the grandfathers of Budapst ruins and an amazing community place, the oldest of all, with a great vibe, minimum 3 concerts a week free of charge. To boot, every Sunday there is a  Farmer’s & Flea Market (where even  shisha awaits guests) with traditional and alternative foods, farmer’s fresh produces, jams, honeys, fruits, veggies, etc.

Tips: get a seat until 9 pm on an average night, try a local Hungarian craft beer, savour a local product of the local ruin bar bakery, then dive into an all night party. Come back on a Sunday for a brunch or just to take in the market vibe, excellent photo shooting options for urban alternative lifestyles.

Discover the nooks and crannies of the maze in Szimpla Kert ruin bar (it is a labyrinth of multiple rooms of various sizes). The pub is largely open air, so in winter bring a coat. If you feel overcrowded just hop into another nearby ruin bar. If you are need of guidance, book a ruin bar pub crawl in Budapest and get some insider tips and safe guidance from a professional pub crawl guide.

It is probably the most touristy ruin bar of Budapest but the most funky and unique, too. Relaxed during the day, busy at night, the dog- and bicycle friendly Szimpla Kert is a great place to enjoy the atmosphere if you like indie things, independent art, films, people, good music, or if you just want to chill or have fun and meet new people from all over the world. There is a living library, lots of workshops and meet ups by day time, and let’s not forget their delicious weekend brunches (Saturday and Sunday, normally until 2pm).

Hours:
Mon-Fri: 3pm – 4am
Sat:12pm – 4am
Sun: 9 am – 4 am

Farmers’ Market: Sun 9am-2pm
check out some upcoming Sunday Market Tours and other Market Tours in Budapest city.

Entry:

Mon-Sun:
Free Entry

Concerts Day:
Free Entry

Pub Crawls: ruin pub crawls in Budapest offer a special insight into the alternative life of Budapest and local Hungarians as well as expats. It’s a good way to start to get to know the city off the beaten track, off the mainstream tours.

Recently, much to our greatest regret, there have been minor criminal activities reported in Szimpla Kert ruin bar. Please make sure to visit the pub as a group, preferably (even if you just met some fellow travellers in a hostel or hotel). Do not leave your drinks and belongings unattended. The police are struggling to keep track of these minor incidents and it seems challenging to resolve any situations related to mugging, robbery etc. Szimpla Kert attracts several hundred people at the same time, and in busy places such crimes can mushroom, especially if you leave your bag / drink unattended, or are a solo traveller who gets tipsy / drunk. Make sure to keep yourself safe. There are some guided ruin / pub crawls where your guide can show you the bright side of Budapest nightlife. To have a peace of mind, act with caution. Budapest is a big city of approx. 2 million people and like any bigger urban area, London, Paris etc. tourists or intoxicated people at night can become a target. Keep yourself safe, act responsibly and team up with fellow tourists.