Budapest: city of contradictions
Budapest, like West and East Berlin until 1989, is composed of two excesses: while the richness and majesty of one of eastern Europe’s most prestigious cities is exalted, there are still traces of the past. The Hungarian capital has earned the prestigious name of East Paris, precisely because of its similarity to the metropolis French: not only for its immense historical, artistic and architectural heritage, but also for the river that divides the city, the Danube, in two.
If the church, the well-known Fishermen’s Bastion and the castle rise along the west bank, the east coast displays, in addition to the famous Hungarian Parliament building, the center of city life, clubs and night life. Budapest’s eventful, active and cultural life originates in the Habsburg Empire and the Early Twentieth Century European Belle Epoque. Not by chance, the many theaters, museums and cafes testify to the cultural atmosphere of the capital, as well as the world-famous L’Opera.
Like any major city with a history-rich past, Budapest also preserves palaces and structures that, in a state of neglect, have suffered the effects of time, becoming unused ruins. For this reason, the owners of Szimpla Kert have thought of giving a new life to these dilapidated and inactive premises, transforming them into real bars: from this brilliant find, the Little Szimpla (the current Szimpla Kert), the first Ruin Pub in all of Budapest, was opened. Following the club’s egregious popularity, the Hungarian capital has witnessed the rebirth of numerous ruined buildings, seeing decrepit palaces re-flowering into bars with decadent, underground charm.
They are distinguished from traditional bars by the originality of the decoration of the rooms, by their rebellious and nonconformist appearance that, in some places, recalls both the Hippy America of the sixties, the London Punk seventies, and, at the same time, the sci-cating and futuristic atmospheres. In addition, ruin pubs are not limited to entertainment and gathering places, but offer unique and original experiences such as free events, concerts and screenings. The Seventh District, the Jewish quarter of Budapest, is the area where you can find the highest concentration of ruin pubs.
Sizmpla Kert
Instant Fogas
Púder Bárszínház
Csendes Vintage Bar & Café
Grandio Jungle Bar
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