The city of Budapest is full of excitements for sure. If you want to have some pure fun, you can find here so called ruin pubs. Those have become kind of trademarks of the city and Hungary also. Well, Hungarians are like this. If something has wrecked for good, no problem! Let's have fun in it!
The first joint you have to visit is Szimpla Kert. That means Simple Garden. And the first thing you have to know about it, it's everything but simple. Actually it's the opposite of simple. You can find it in the lower west side of Erzsébetváros. It's right in the middle of the colourful old Jewish Quarter.
.jpg)
photo: szimpla.hu
This special garden is a true trendmaker. As the first ruin pub of the country you can honestly call it the real pioneer of ruin pubs. Surely it's the best known place of its kind among locals and tourists too. The atmosphere is awesome. We could say the chaos creates order somehow. Unique and retro pieces around you everywhere. No wonder it has won the title 'The 3rd best bar in the world' by Lonely Planet in 2011.
photo: kocsmakereso.hu
I can't describe it in a better way: once you enter, you can find there everything. You name it, you got it. Couch made of an old bathtub, old monitors hanging on the wall, doll head looking at you from the door of women's restroom (wonder what's her name), and my favourite is the master piece of the late East Germany, the old Trabant car. And this is just the beginning.
.jpg)
photo: szimpla.hu
You can actually meet the whole world here. Every type of people, every type of cultures. Colours, laughters and scents everywhere! Beautiful women with their mystical smiles, hipster bartenders with the usual beard and glasses, great african musicians, happy (sometimes too happy) local youngsters celebrating Friday (or whatever), and so on.
photo: szimpla.hu
Last time I was there a midget walked in wearing a weird hat, with a giant on his side. I'm not breaking your chops, it happened! Or was it too early for a double Stoli? Never mind.
.jpg)
photo: szimpla.hu
I can honestly say, if you are feeling kind of blue just come down to Szimpla Kert (Simple Garden). It will certainly cheer you up. It's a lot of fun even if you are in the crowd alone! Everybody is waiting just for you! Come and watch a good film in the evening, or be part of superb concerts at nights!
.jpg)
photo: szimpla.hu
What can you get here? I won't say anything, but almost. If you would like to drink something, the case of 'you name it you got it' applies again. My good old favourite combo is the Békési Pálinka made of pear with an ice cold Dreher beer. Come and join me next time! You can have a cup of coffee or cocoa, or a glass of fresh soft drink here. If you are a smoker, even lighters and rolling paper is available! Not to mention the various delicious snack foods. Start the party with a giant hamburger!
.jpg)
photo: szimpla.hu
Weekday or weekend, however you feel, however the weather is, come down to Szimpla Kert (Simple Garden)! No excuses! How about tonight?
It's open every single day between 12am and 3am.
Getting here is pretty easy. You can use metro line M2, blue buses number 5, 7, 8, 8A, 112 and 178, red trolley bus number 74, and tram lines number 47, 48 and 49. Get off at Astoria! After that, your destination is Kazinczy Street (Kazinczy utca) 14!
photo: brandspurgeon.com
More information: http://www.szimpla.hu/en
