Szimpla Kert is one of the most well-known ruin bars globally, located in the Jewish Quarter in Budapest, Hungary. Although initially situated in a different location just a few blocks away, it now resides right next to the famous Street Food Karavan.
What is Szimpla Kert?
Since 2002, Szimpla Kert has been offering its visitors a unique experience that few other similar ruin bars can provide. Initially designed to offer a relaxed and calm environment where visitors could enjoy their drinks in peace, it evolved into one of Budapest’s most popular and touristy spots.
According to reports, although this particular ruin bar can accommodate up to 600 people, it is said that more than 8,000 people visit daily, with 80% of them being tourists from other countries and regions. The current location of Szimpla Kert also comes with its own share of history, once being a Nazi ghetto.
This specific ghetto was a Nazi-created ghetto in Budapest, Hungary, where Jews were forced to relocate by a government decree under the leadership of the fascist party during the last stages of World War II. Notably, the ghetto existed from November 29, 1944, to January 17, 1945.
It is the first well-known pub in Budapest, managed by multiple people, and includes various bars from which you can order your drinks, try their food, and sit in whichever area you like the most.
Additionally, having a history that leads back to World War II, about which I have read countless books and watched numerous documentaries and movies, it was undoubtedly, and without exaggeration, the best stop of our entire trip.
A First Look at Szimpla Kert
The most important thing to know about Szimpla Kert is that it includes many different bars. Although all gathered in one large space decorated with old vintage items, paintings, old cars, stickers, and graffiti on every wall, the beauty of this ruin bar removes any reservations you might have before visiting.
When we arrived outside Szimpla Kert, I distinctly remember my brother saying to me, “Do you see the sign? You can’t imagine how many have posted it in stories and posts.” However, I had no idea why, as from the outside, the ruin bar doesn’t have much to declare—or at least, not until you opened the door. Because once you pass through it, the first thing you see is a large space, with multiple different areas and old items at every turn.
To your right, you will find a vintage lamp with a note above it that reads, “Live your life for your own pleasure and fulfilment.” Right next to it, there is also a wooden piano, covered with a multitude of stickers.
Heading straight, on your left and right, you will find the women’s and men’s restrooms, as well as a staircase leading to the upper floor.
Continuing on, you will see a door that leads you to the main outdoor area of Szimpla Kert, where you will find several stools and stands and a corner spot with low chairs and tables to enjoy your drink. However, at the bar where orders are placed, no one is allowed to sit.
This is the area where all the smokers sit, as smoking is not permitted in the enclosed areas of Szimpla Kert, but in this outdoor area, you can. But even if you are not a smoker, the beauty and uniqueness of this space are worth a short visit, or a “quick beer,” as we used to say.
The Upper Floor of Szimpla Kert
Although the “ground floor” of the ruin bar already looks amazing at first glance, the upper floor is what elevates it, hosting most of the live performances and great events. As soon as you ascend to the upper floor, either via the stairs inside the ruin bar or from the outdoor area, your eyes are captivated.
There are several areas with their own bars where you can sit, each with its own “touches” that make it unique. There are different spots from which you can order your drink and various scattered chairs and tables. Additionally, you can look down at the ground floor while being surrounded by plants.
At one bar, we were quite lucky on the first day to hear some well-known covers of American country songs from the 70s, 80s, and 90s, performed by an artist with an excellent voice.
On the third day, we watched a pianist playing music. Opposite him was a chair where anyone from the audience could go and sit. Whoever sat there, the pianist played a piece based on what he felt or saw in the person’s face sitting opposite him, maintaining eye contact throughout.
In this way, according to them, the artist and the spectator could come into “direct” contact with each other, which is said to influence the spectators and bring them closer to the artist’s work and the artist himself. While the artist played the piece—and until it finished—a camera captured the face and expressions of the spectator sitting in the chair, allowing the rest of the audience to watch them live and on the screen.
Notably, it was mentioned multiple times that those who sat and were filmed by the camera would have their videos used for studies, for which no further information was disclosed.
I wanted to experience this as well, but unfortunately, the tourists that day were so energetic that before the artist even finished, they would get up and go straight to the chair to be the next. Not for the work or the artist, but for the photos their friends would take, as showcasing our own “joys” on social media is evidently much more important.
There were also several small rooms, many of which had been occupied by young couples in love. The entire area had enough lighting to see where you were going and what you were doing, but not more than necessary to spoil the pleasant and calm atmosphere that prevailed throughout the place.
What We Loved About Szimpla Kert
Many have mentioned in their reviews that Szimpla Kert is just another pub for teenagers, but the truth is quite different. Although it might remind you of a place where, as a teenager, I would spend all my days—if not years—drinking and having fun, the beauty, uniqueness, and positive energy of the ruin bar made it the ultimate spot for all the days of our stay in Budapest.
As a 30-year-old blogger who now tends to go for wine at tavernas wearing a shirt, Szimpla Kert was everything I wanted to experience, but there was nothing similar in Greece to enjoy such moments. After all, what could be better than an old, dilapidated, vintage, and full of old items ruin bar to spend your cold days pleasantly in Budapest?
As for the cost, which I imagine most are interested in knowing, anything you get at Szimpla Kert is more affordable than in other tourist spots in the capital. In fact, we usually chose to drink the IPA beer, which cost just €5.00 each. And yes, it was in a small can, but with 8.9% alcohol, you quickly forgot its size.
In the central area of the pub, where most of the smokers were, there were flowers scattered on the floor, a car “holding” the central staircase, trees in various places, and an open roof where all the air circulated. Although the spot is particularly cold since it is open from above, it is an excellent way to feel like you are in an entirely different place from where you were before.
This is, after all, one of the greatest advantages of Szimpla Kert, with so many different spots to see and sit that are so different from each other, each with its own decor and aesthetic, you feel like you are changing ruin bars while you are actually inside one. You could also call it a “shopping mall with ruin bars.”
Overall, if my brother hadn’t been on our trip to Budapest, I doubt I would have tried as many things as I did. Our first beer at Szimpla Kert was the well-known Meggy Sour Cherry Ale, a fruity sour cherry beer.
Even though I’m not a huge fan of sour cherries, it was a particularly tasty beer, but you might not be able to finish the whole thing. I won’t lie, both my brother and I started looking for a more classic taste after 70% of the beer, as it was particularly sweet.
But even if you don’t prefer sweet flavors, I would still recommend trying it, or at least get one to share with a loved one.
Editor’s Note: Of course, we forgot to take a photo of the beer; what did you think, that we’re professional travel bloggers? Also, I couldn’t find a copyright-free photo, so guess who’s going to Google…
Is it Worth Visiting Szimpla Kert with Kids?
Usually, when we hear about popular tourist spots in a city, we can visit them with our family and children. Personally, I don’t think Szimpla Kert is ideal for young children, and I definitely wouldn’t recommend it during the evening hours.
The restrooms are by no means clean, which isn’t surprising for a pub where anyone can gain an extra 10 kilos from the drinks. If you have a boy, things get even more awkward in the men’s restrooms, which, believe me, you won’t want your little one to see—unless, of course, you want him to appreciate the cleanliness of your home.
With this in mind, if I had kids, I would visit Szimpla Kert, but I would do it early in the afternoon when it’s not too crowded. It’s a beautiful place to spend about an hour and enjoy a quick beer or a drink, but there aren’t many options for children, and you will definitely find better spots to enjoy the local delicacies that Budapest offers to its tourists.
However, if you decide to visit with your children, right next door is the Street Food Karavan, where you will find hundreds of different local flavors. However, this place is particularly expensive, so expect to easily exceed €10 even for a small piece of a local delicacy.
How to Visit Szimpla Kert in Budapest
Szimpla Kert is located at Budapest, Kazinczy u. 14, right next to the Street Food Karavan Budapest. You can reach the area by various means of public transport, such as the metro or buses.
Of course, you will know you are outside Szimpla Kert when you see the famous sign (photo above, at least we took something) or see a lot of people suddenly turning to enter the ruin bar.
In the afternoon hours—when we visited on weekdays—the ruin bar has few people, and there are plenty of available spots where you can sit. However, shortly after 21:00 to 22:00, it starts to fill up rapidly, which means there is a high chance you won’t find a place to sit, holding your drink or beer in hand and wandering around.
Overall, Szimpla Kert was relatively close to the hostel we were staying at, so it was easy for us to come and go comfortably, and thus we didn’t worry about returning after a few beers. Well, maybe it wasn’t just a few, but who’s counting?
A Place I’ll Remember Forever
If there’s one thing I will definitely do at some point in my life, it’s to visit the beautiful Budapest again, returning to Szimpla Kert and spending at least an entire day there, happily destroying myself by trying a ton of different beers.
Have you visited Budapest? And if so, did the famous ruin bar happen to be on your itinerary? I’d love to hear your thoughts and impressions if you found yourself in this vintage space, or the best experiences you had in the city or at a different ruin bar.
And don’t be afraid, the comment form at the end of this article doesn’t bite, I promise! 🤞
