Szimpla Kert
Kazinczy u. 14, Budapest, Hungary, 1075
The most famous of Budapest’s so-called “ruin bars,” Szimpa Kert is the original, from which the whole alternative movement spawned. Ruin bars were set up in old buildings facing demolition, mainly in Budapest’s Jewish Quarter, turning one person’s trash into another's nightlife treasure. You can visit Szimpla Kert during the day or at night for a drink and a dance.
The basics
Ruin bars have become a fixture of Budapest’s nightlife scene, but you don’t need to be a hard partier to visit Szimpa Kert. In addition to at least three evening concerts per week, the venue hosts indie film screenings and workshops in the day, a weekend brunch, and a Sunday morning farmers market.
You can visit Szimpla Kert independently, but to meet other travelers and learn more about Budapest’s off-beat bar culture in a safe environment, consider joining a guided nightlife tour or pub crawl that includes Szimpla Kert. The venue is also featured on some daytime Budapest walking, street art, and market tours.
Things to know before you go
Szimpa Kert is free to enter, and even the concerts are free.
Crime has been reported at the bar at night, so keep your belongings close, don’t leave drinks unattended, and be careful if visiting solo at night.
Most of the complex is open-air, so wear appropriate clothing for the season.
How to get there
Szimpa Kert is located in Budapest’s Jewish Quarter, on the east bank of the Danube River. It’s a short walk (less than 10 minutes) from the Astoria and Blaha Lujza ter metro stations. If you’re visiting at night, note that the Budapest metro stops running before midnight, so you may need to take a taxi or a rideshare back to your accommodation.
When to get there
Szimpa Ker is typically open from mid-afternoon until early morning, Monday through Friday. You can party almost all night here during the week. On the weekends, when it hosts more daytime activities, it has extended hours. The weekly Sunday farmers market operates from mid-morning until early afternoon.
Party-crawl Budapest’s ruin bars
As Budapest’s most famous ruin bar, Szimpa Kert is also typically the busiest and the most touristy. If you’d like to check out some others with different vibes, consider the Instant–Fogas Complex, which contains seven clubs; upscale Mazel Tov, home to a Mediterranean restaurant; and mellow Csendes Vintage Bar and Café, located in a former Austro-Hungarian coffeehouse.
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