Introducing Auróra: A Little-Known Ruin Bar In Budapest’s Mysterious 8th District

  • 13 Oct 2015 9:00 AM
Introducing Auróra: A Little-Known Ruin Bar In Budapest’s Mysterious 8th District
By Zsuzsa Bakonyi: The trend has been going on for the past several years: the Jewish community and the ruin bars are shifting away from the 7th district to the 8th and with the opening of Auróra has become definitely official. Don’t worry, no one will harm the ultimate nightlife zone which we all adore, but for sure you certainly have noticed that it is more and more difficult to find a relaxing space in the 7th district offering a different vibe than the ‘mainstream’ ruinpubs.

Auróra is in some sense the revival of Sirály - a community space which used to be located in Király utca and was operated by the Marom Association. A cultural and community center in one, Auróra is a home to a whole continuum of Jewish and urban life – offering everything from religious programs, cultural events, such as music, film and art, and last but certainly not least, a hub for social activism.

What is all the fuss about the 8th district? Well, it is/used to be kind of a ghetto but it has been radically changing in the past years and the area close to the 4-6 tram line is gentrifying in an incredible pace and more and more cultural hubs, bars and cafés are opening, like Müszi for example.

Auróra is located a stone’s throw away from Blaha Lujza tér, you can even stroll along Népszínház utca where you can always feel more like somewhere in the Far East than in Budapest, in a lovely two-storey building with a tiny inner courtyard. You will ring a bell before entering. You might say hello to some neighbours. Feels like almost being in a village.

If you look at Auróra’s logo, you see three layers reflecting on the space. The upper floor houses their offices and civil organizations like the Budapest Pride and the Roma Press Centre. Ground floor is where you can take your beer/coffee/tea and chat or go to another room where you might find a movie screening. If you thought that this place is too busy to have nightlife, you are wrong: cellar doors open in the evenings for the parties: good djs, good people, good dancing.

So count from 7 to 8 - you will will see how fast you will fall in love with the 8th. Auróra is probably the perfect location for the beginning of this beautiful friendship/love :)

If you wish to go deep and get some insider info on the ruin bars and the culture around them, join the experts on a tour at Budapest Flow

  • How does this content make you feel?