i could have spent hours in Szimpla Kert exploring every nook and cranny. it’s supposedly the best “ruin pub” (romkocsma) in Budapest, a trend that the BBC describes as:
A string of hipster bars in formerly abandoned buildings mix the atmosphere of a chill Berlin squat with the revelry of a smallish Munich beer hall.
simply put, it’s a dilapidated, abandoned building filled with amazingly cool trash art and several bars (this one also had hookahs). they have frequent live music events as well (check the website for a schedule). so many rooms and nooks and crannies full of well, junk, to discover. definitely worth a visit if you’re near the Dohány Street Synagogue (which you should be at least once in your visit). even if you’re not needing a drink, just go in, get a bottle of water or a coke and explore. i had to stop taking Instagram pictures or i would have probably brought down the service.
ugh this place hit so many of my pleasure buttons — abandonment, questionable art, urbanity… i might have to make another visit this week.