Szimpla Kert Budapest | The Ruin Bar That Started It All

What makes it special

Szimpla is a maze: a courtyard open to the sky, rooms wallpapered in old film posters, a bathtub turned into a couch, a Trabant you can sit in. Every surface has a story and none of it matches, which is exactly the point. It feels found, not designed.

Location: Kazinczy utca 14, District VII (the party district)
Vibe: sprawling, eclectic, busy most nights
Good for: first-timers who want the definitive ruin-bar experience

The space

Szimpla Kert's packed open-air courtyard at night, lit by colourful glowing lamps under old brick arches — Budapest's original ruin bar

Crowds at long tables in the sky-lit central courtyard of Szimpla Kert, Budapest

Warm lamplight over the eclectic, mismatched furniture of Szimpla Kert, Budapest

Graffiti-covered walls, a metal chandelier and a painted portrait inside Szimpla Kert, Budapest

Salvaged, mismatched decor in a side room of Szimpla Kert ruin bar, Budapest

A busy night in Szimpla Kert's courtyard, guests filling every table, Budapest

Colourful hanging lamps glowing over the crowd at Szimpla Kert, Budapest

Brick archways and eclectic decor inside Szimpla Kert, Budapest's first ruin bar

Guests relaxing among the reclaimed furniture of Szimpla Kert, Budapest

Open-sky courtyard packed with people on a summer night at Szimpla Kert, Budapest

Quirky reclaimed decor and string lights throughout Szimpla Kert ruin bar, Budapest

Visiting on the crawl

Szimpla is one of the venues we feature on the Budapest pub crawl. Coming with the group means you skip the queue, start with a welcome shot, and have someone who knows the layout so you actually see the best rooms instead of getting lost.

More ruin bars

See the full list on our Budapest ruin bars guide.