Budapest Ruin Bar Crawl: 5 Shots & Local Nightlife Tour

Summary

Budapest nightlife stories exploring ruin bars with locals and shots

You’ll join locals and fellow travelers for a real Budapest ruin bar crawl, guided through hidden corners and wild décor with five welcome shots along the way. Expect laughter over strange drinks, new friends in smoky rooms, and an unfiltered look at the city’s legendary nightlife scene—ending somewhere between memory and dream.

What’s the experience like?

“You’re not really in Budapest until you’ve had pálinka in a ruin bar,” our guide grinned, passing me a tiny glass that smelled like fermented plums and something sharper. It was barely dark yet — the sky still that weird blue you get just after sunset — but inside Szimpla Kert, it felt like midnight. The walls were covered in old bikes and lampshades, and I swear every surface had some kind of scribble or sticker. People squeezed past us, laughing in a dozen languages. I tried to say “egészségedre” (cheers) and Li laughed so hard she almost spilled her shot.

We’d started the pub crawl right downtown, meeting up with maybe twenty other travelers plus two local guides who seemed to know everyone behind every bar. Each stop had its own smell — one place was all damp stone and spilled beer; another had this sweet tobacco haze hanging over the back room. The shots kept coming (five total, if you’re counting — I lost track by number four), but what stuck with me more was how easy it was to talk to strangers here. There’s something about Budapest at night that makes everyone a little braver, or maybe just less shy.

The last club was huge — honestly, I couldn’t tell where one room ended and another began. Music thumped through the floors, but somehow our group found a corner with old couches where we could actually hear each other talk. Someone shared fries; someone else tried to teach us Hungarian swear words (I didn’t quite catch them). When we finally stumbled outside for air, it was raining lightly and the streetlights made everything look gold. I still think about that walk home — shoes wet, head spinning, feeling like I’d seen a side of Budapest most people only hear about.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Visit Budapest ruin bars and club

• Meet local guides
• Enjoy 5 welcome shots
• Visit several ruin bars
• End at biggest ruin club

Top questions

How many bars do you visit on this Budapest ruin pub crawl?

You’ll visit several different ruin bars before ending up in the biggest ruin club in Budapest.

Are drinks included on the Budapest pub crawl?

Yes, your tour includes five complimentary welcome shots—one at each bar or club visited.

Is there a local guide on this Budapest nightlife tour?

Yes, experienced local guides lead the group throughout the evening.

Where does the pub crawl start in Budapest?

The crawl starts downtown Budapest; exact meeting details are provided after booking.

What is the minimum age for this Budapest ruin bar crawl?

The minimum age is 18 years old—ID may be checked at venues.

Is transportation included during the tour?

No private transport is included but public transportation options are available nearby each venue.

Is food included during this pub crawl?

No meals are included; only five complimentary shots are provided as part of the tour.

Can travelers with health issues join this tour?

This tour isn’t recommended for pregnant travelers or those with spinal or cardiovascular issues.

What’s included

Your night out comes with five complimentary welcome shots (one at each stop), expert guidance from friendly locals who know every corner of Budapest’s nightlife, plus entry to several unique ruin bars before finishing up at the city’s biggest club—all within easy reach of public transport home when you’re ready to call it a night.