Púder

At the Kálvin tér end of Ráday sits this electrifying bar. A visual artists wet dream awaits behind the elegant front entrance as well as an exquisite food & drink menu. They even have a theatre in the back for expats who would like to sample some Hungarian culture in-between cheap cocktails.

Go for: The fish & chips
Go to: 1092 Budapest, Ráday u. 8.

Grandio

Where party hostel meets ruin pub, Grandio in Budapest’s 7th district is filled with fascinating bleary-eyed travellers and hip / artsy locals. You might want to pack your passport / a change of clothes as once you set foot in this exhilarating establishment, you have no idea what the night or your future holds.

Go for: The epic drinking games
Go to: 1075 Budapest, Nagy Diófa u. 8.

Csendes

Sometime stifling hot on a summers day but well worth a few of your forints to cool down, Csendes is a vintage bar perfect for a chilled evening of drinks. Marvel at the mannequin and posters on the wall, and if the mood takes you have your fill of the hearty and delicious food.

Go for: Guinness on tap
Go to: 1053 Budapest, Ferenczy István u. 5.

Nyereg

Having recently joined the city’s cycling fraternity, I hopped on my beaten up cruiser and hot-tailed it out to Városliget for some Saturday afternoon refreshments. With saddles on bar stools (nyereg means saddle after all), lake side views and a great selection of Pilsners, it didn’t take long for the place to win me over. It just about fits the definition of a 'ruin pub', certainly it's a great summer venue where a quiet afternoon drink soon turns into a relaxing evening session. Food's fine here also.

Go for: The 'to die for' muffin
Go to: 1146 Budapest, Városliget krt. 2.

Pótkulcs

You’d be forgiven for thinking this place doesn’t exist, what with it being hidden behind a grey wall and a forest of vegetation, but step inside the magic black door to find a world that time forgot. Often packed to the seams on weekends, Pótkulcs is still one of Budapest’s well kept secrets, for over a decade expats in the loop have known the location of the 'Spare Key', and if you didn't already now you do too.

Go for: The local live (folk) bands.
Go to: 1067 Budapest, Csengery u. 65b.

Words by Joe McCann for Xpatloop.com

Photo: courtesy of the venues