![\"Corvin](\"https:\/\/termalfurdok.com\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/09\/Corvin-Club.jpg\")
<\/p>\nRuin bars are popping out like mushrooms after rain almost in every European city, not just in Budapest. They are all the rage among young Europeans that see ruin bars as their ultimate playground for socializing and nightlife. <\/p>\n
Even though there are ruin pubs all over Europe, and other cities across the world, Budapest remains the capital of ruin bars. That\u2019s where it all started, and the flame is still strong.<\/p>\n
The following list contains 20 of the best ruin bars in Budapest at present. But before we dive into our list, we need to explain how it all started and why.<\/p>\n
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It all started in 2001 when a bunch of guys decided to do something with all the free space in the inner VII District. The area is also known as the Jewish Quarter which was abandoned since World War 2.\u00a0 At that time, tens of thousands of Jews were deported from there. For more than 50 years, the neighborhood was made of unliveable, abandoned buildings that were destined to crumble.<\/p>\n
But things were destined to change. However, the first two years show no signs of the upcoming change. The change didn\u2019t happen until 2004 when a guy named \u00c1bel Zsendovits and his friends took over and opened what is today known as the Szimpla Kert.<\/p>\n
Those guys brought life to an old building on Kazinczy Street. They filled the space with mismatched furniture and created a community space for the young and creative people of Budapest. As it turned out, the place was exactly what an entire generation of young people needed and wanted. It was an instant hit that ignited the opening of other similar bars across the neighborhood.<\/p>\n
![\"szimpla](\"https:\/\/termalfurdok.com\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/09\/szimpla-kert.png\")
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Szimpla was the template on which most ruin bars were based. Even today, the formula remains relevant and is quite simple; find an old building, ask friends to join you, clean the space, add some vintage and mismatched furniture, add some lighting to the place, exhibit some art from local artists, bring drinks to sell, and spread the word. Of course, you are not limited to that, but that\u2019s some basic template should help you get started.<\/p>\n
At least that was in the first years of the ruin bar craze. Nowadays, their scope has vastly expanded.<\/p>\n
Nowadays, ruin pubs are the driving force for alternative culture, as well as somewhat of a mainstream attraction of tourists coming to visit Budapest. Today, Budapest’s ruin bars are as popular as the Hungarian Parliament Building and Buda Castle. As a result, many of the most popular ruin bars are always full of both locals and tourists. There are even tourists that come to Budapest to see the ruin pubs. That’s how big they have become.<\/p>\n
In addition to the massive flow of tourists, many ruin bars are also used for organizing various events. Many of the events are cultural, featuring independent film projections, art exhibitions, performances, and so on. Plus, many ruin bars offer snacks and prepare food for their visitors. That\u2019s part of a new wave of ruin bars that look for all sorts of ways to monetize their continuous popularity.<\/p>\n
At the same time, just because they are more in the eye of the mainstream, that doesn’t mean they\u2019ve lost their gritty look and unique vibe. Local artists and open-minded people still hang out there, drinks are still cheaper than downtown, and the relaxed, artistic vibe persists.<\/p>\n
![\"Fekete](\"https:\/\/termalfurdok.com\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/09\/Fekete-Kutya-Budapest.jpg\")
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Now as we are done with elaborating the essence, the past and the present condition of ruin bars in Budapest, it\u2019s time to dive into the top 20 ruin bars in Budapest.<\/p>\n