72 Best Bars in Hungary

This authentic Hungarian tavern’s namesake, Horseshoe Andi, was a legendary betyár (highwayman); Hungarian folklore waxes romantic about his swarthy character’s Robin Hood-like feats. The wood-paneled pub is decorated with puskák (rifles) and other bandit memorabilia.

For a deeply immersive Újlipótváros experience, stop by for a beer and perhaps even a shot of Unicum at this teeny-tiny watering hole right on Pozsonyi út. Customers consist of brainy neighborhood regulars with a fondness for alcohol. Outside the bar there is a pin board with artworks and poems by the regulars.

The name of this pub means "spare key," and this one attracts a hip, bohemian crowd. There is no sign outside, just a metal door bearing the name and address. Walk through the door and down the small pathway to find outdoor seating in warm months, or stay inside for regular live music acts. Various hot meals are also available.

Rabbit Hole is a welcome relief at a time when most cocktail bars charge entire-meal prices for a single drink. Fun, friendly, and unfussy, the vibe is relaxed and the cocktail menu is heavy on the classics, but the bartenders are equally happy to whip up something special based on your tastes. Prices are refreshingly affordable, with all cocktails under 3,000 HUF; beers, wine, and palinka are even cheaper.

Rácskert is a relaxed outdoor ruin bar in the center of the party district. It's less boisterous than its neighbors, and the affordable drinks, air of artistry, and generally sedate setting make it a favorite of the area's creative types. A vegan food truck serves up decent bites, and in the winter the smaller indoor bar offers refuge from the cold.  

Rumpus' humble entrance belies the sprawling, multilevel, intricately designed Polynesian bar inside. Sink into their bamboo chairs with a punchy cocktail theatrically served in a ceramic god mug---it's not inexpensive, but a well-crafted cocktail rarely is, and here they're often excellent (and potent). Make a reservation or risk waiting up to an hour to gain entrance.

If you need a break from the party district's endless beers and shots, this is your spot: a cool mixologist bar serving classic and contemporary cocktails, free of pretension. The concoctions here are creative and punchy, served in hip surroundings by chipper, friendly bartenders, with all mixology-focused drinks on the menu priced under 4,000 HUF. Reservations are recommended on weekends.

This fashionable end-of-the-pier bar is a lovely place to enjoy a drink, especially in the evening. Watch the sun set over the lake as you sip one of many locally produced wines, from signature Olaszrizlings to sparkling rosés, or just a homemade lemonade. The food is good, too.

A modern take on a traditional Hungarian coffee shop, restaurant, and wine bar, the atmosphere is warm, the food is authentic and delicious, and the wines come from Hungarian producers via the restaurant's wine cellar. Booking ahead is recommended.

Szabad offers an authentic ruin bar experience, minus the tourist throngs. Set streets away from the party district, this ramshackle bar proudly embraces its rustic setting, with bare brick walls as a canvas for a revolving display of local art. Friendly bar staff serve quality Czech beers and local Hungarian wines, while the food menu is exclusively vegan, presenting inventive and comforting reinterpretations of classic Hungarian cuisine.

Located next to lovely coffeehouse Hadik, Szatyor has a similarly airy, contemporary central European feel, but with a bit more edge than its stately neighbor. There's art everywhere—even painted on the ceiling—and a cultural ethos pervades, even extending to literary quotes about soup on the menu. An arty and delightful place for a drink or two.

Located in the hillside Tettye district, this charming wine bar features a lovely terrace with panoramic views of the center and beyond. There's a huge selection of hard-to-find Hungarian wines, with around 90% coming from small, local winemakers (within 50 miles) and the rest from other regions of the country. Depending on the season, you can enjoy your wine with barbecued steaks or cold cuts.