{"id":7652,"date":"2015-05-18T14:36:29","date_gmt":"2015-05-18T14:36:29","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/blog.hostelworld.com\/?p=7652"},"modified":"2026-09-18T12:54:27","modified_gmt":"2026-09-18T12:54:27","slug":"where-to-party-in-budapest-ruin-bars-spa-parties-and-europes-answer-to-burning-man-festival","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.hostelworld.com\/blog\/where-to-party-in-budapest-ruin-bars-spa-parties-and-europes-answer-to-burning-man-festival\/","title":{"rendered":"Where to party in Budapest: ruin bars, spa parties and Europe\u2019s answer to Burning Man Festival"},"content":{"rendered":"

It\u2019s no secret that\u00a0Budapest\u00a0is one of Europe\u2019s hottest destinations right now \u2013 it\u2019s cheap, wild and attracts top DJs from around the world. The best time to party here is the summer, when rooftop bars and decadent spa parties take over the city. We’ve put together a list of the best addresses in Budapest for you to shake your stuff. Here’s a list of places where to party in Budapest: ruin bars, spa parties and Europe\u2019s answer to Burning Man Festival<\/p>\n

Party ahoy<\/strong><\/h2>\n

\"where<\/p>\n

Climb aboard the 1938 Ukrainian cargo ship A38<\/a> for a jam-packed night of arts, live music, and nautical dining. The ship\u2019s huge music hall is legendary in Budapest, and attracts bands and DJs playing everything from improvised funk to Bollywood disco or French techno. The nightlife at A38 doesn\u2019t stop there \u2013 it also has four more bars: the bow bar, motor bar, roof terrace and bow terrace. If you\u2019d prefer a quiet evening of culture, head to the ship\u2019s own gallery or try out the restaurant on the top deck where you can dine on wild boar on the Danube riverfront.<\/p>\n

Get freaky at Sziget Festival<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Hailed as the European alternative to Burning Man, Sziget Festival<\/a> is a week-long music and cultural extravaganza held every August on the island of \u00d3buda on the outskirts of Budapest. This year\u2019s line-up is a glittering mishmash of sounds with acts such as Florence and the Machine, Basement Jaxx, Alt-J and DJs Damian Lazarus and Sbtrkt.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

\ud83d\udcf7: @jamyessica<\/a><\/p>\n

So many ruin bars, so little time<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Located in derelict buildings from the war, \u201cRomkocsmas\u201d are a hybrid of bar, caf\u00e9, beer garden and nightclub and are unique to Hungary. The trend began ten years ago and has since transformed Budapest\u2019s old Jewish district into a buzzing haven for international DJs and party goers. There are over 20 ruin bars to choose from, so here\u2019s are a couple of our favourites to get you started\u2026<\/p>\n

Fogas H\u00e1z<\/a> (pictured above) literally translates as “House of Teeth”, a nod to the building\u2019s former life as a dental laboratory in the 1950s. This bohemian blend of nightclub and arts centre is located in the party district of Ak\u00e1cfa utca and attracts a cool local crowd. If you ever wanted to know what a Hungarian hipster looks like, now\u2019s your chance. Not only is this a budget-friendly night out, Fogas H\u00e1z also offers a bike rental, football and table tennis tables and a famously delicious pizzeria \u2013 meaning you can set up camp here around the clock.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

\ud83d\udcf7: @albal100<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n

The first ever ruin bar, Szimpla Kert<\/a> is a huge labyrinth of corridors decorated with fairy lights, bohemian furniture and peculiar props. Not just a \u201cSimple Garden\u201d as the translation would suggest, this mammoth space has its own cinema, tree-lined garden and one of the city\u2019s best farmers\u2019 markets every Sunday.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

\ud83d\udcf7: @sofia_nicolas<\/a><\/p>\n

Corvintet\u0151<\/a> (pictured above) is a rooftop club cunningly hidden above a battered Spa supermarket, so if you\u2019re looking for a less commercial, underground vibe then this is the one for you. The main hall boasts an impressive ceiling made of 1800 LED lights, but the club is most famous for its huge terrace where you can drink and dance \u2018til sunrise or enjoy a film at its weekly rooftop cinema.<\/p>\n

Sparty at a spa party<\/strong><\/h2>\n

The party capital of Europe is also known as the \u201ccity of baths\u201d for its abundance of natural geothermal springs \u2013 so it was only a matter of time until Budapest invented the spa party, or \u201csparty\u201d. Sz\u00e9chenyi Baths<\/a> (pictured above) runs its famous Szecska parties from June to September and Magic Bath parties in the winter months. Think steamy open-air rave with electronic music, psychedelic laser beams and freaky aquatic moves.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

\ud83d\udcf7: @itzelcavazos7<\/a><\/p>\n

Kick back at a Kert<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Summer brings a welcome addition Budapest\u2019s nightlife: \u2018kerts\u2019 are temporary garden pubs and pop-up bars usually located in parks, courtyards, or \u2018udvars\u2019 aka patio bars. These are the perfect place to hang out with other travelers whilst sipping on a \u201cFr\u00f6ccs\u201d, the Hungarian equivalent of a wine spritzer.<\/p>\n

\"where<\/p>\n

A recent addition that is well worth a visit is WNDRLND<\/a> (pictured above), an experimental art project on Margaret Island. Over 20 weeks, 20 different guest artists will transform the space by curating the drinks, d\u00e9cor and music. The ever-evolving pop-up will also have a monthly rotation of chefs, making it the ultimate alternative to your average night out.<\/p>\n

Wine, dine & Dance<\/strong><\/h2>\n

For a unique late-night dining experience, head to Sp\u00edler Shanghai<\/a> (pictured below) in the Gozsdu Courtyard where the graffiti, seductive lighting and red leather is a mixture of New York Chinatown and 1930s glamour. Feast on a wasabi salmon burger or beef tataki in the restaurant before heading down to the secret bar for the after party. The place is fully stocked with imported Asian beers, cocktails, and sak\u00e9s and resident DJs play electronic music \u2018til 2am every night.<\/p>\n

\"where<\/p>\n

If you\u2019re not a clubber and would rather mix with the locals, Budapest has a wealth of authentic and vibrant \u201cBoroz\u00f3s\u201d, or wine bars, with decent live music. Kardarka is the best of its kind and stocks over 50 varieties of Hungarian wine, and you can even order half glasses to try before you buy (or if it all gets too much!). Find it on Kir\u00e1ly Utca, also known as Budapest\u2019s Design Street.<\/p>\n

Jazz fans must visit Doblo wine bar<\/a> in the 7th District for its live music every night of the week and incredible value wine tastings. You know what they say: Life is too short to drink bad wine!<\/p>\n

\"where<\/em><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Related Content:<\/p>\n