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Cocktail barBar and galleryUjbuda
Szatyor on Bartok Bela ut in Ujbuda is an art-bar with rotating local exhibitions, Hungarian wine and a small Mediterranean food menu shared with Hadik next.
OrderA glass of Hungarian dry Furmint with the mixed small-plate selection.
DrinkHungarian wine and cocktails
FoodHungarian and Mediterranean small plates
TipDaily 11:00-24:00; the gallery rotates new local artists monthly.
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Cocktail barRuin barErzsebetvaros
Szimpla Kert on Kazinczy in the Jewish Quarter is Budapest's original ruin bar, opened in 2002 and at this address since 2004 in an old stove factory.
OrderA glass of pálinka with a Dreher beer on the side.
DrinkPálinka and Hungarian beer
FoodBar food, street food in inner courtyard
TipNo reservations, first-come; entry is free, the Sunday farmers' market runs 09:00-14:00.
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Cocktail barRuin bar complexErzsebetvaros
Instant-Fogas on Akacfa utca is a seven-room ruin-bar megaplex with 18 bars and 1200 square metres of dance floor across courtyards in the Jewish Quarter.
OrderA pálinka shot at the front bar, then move into the back courtyards.
DrinkCocktails, beer, pálinka
FoodLimited street food
TipDaily 18:00-06:00, free entry; the back rooms each have a different soundtrack.
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Cocktail barMediterranean ruin restaurant-barErzsebetvaros
Mazel Tov on Akacfa in the Jewish Quarter is a Mediterranean ruin garden in an early 1900s courtyard, with mezze, shawarma and live klezmer most nights.
OrderAn Israeli sauvignon blanc with the mezze plate.
DrinkIsraeli wine and Hungarian craft beer
FoodFull Mediterranean and Israeli kitchen
TipOpen noon to midnight daily; book a week ahead for weekends, glass-roof courtyard fills first.
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Cocktail barCocktail barTerezvaros
Boutiq'Bar on Paulay Ede in Terezvaros is one of Budapest's serious cocktail rooms, with classic cocktails poured by a tightly drilled team near the Opera.
OrderThe Old Cuban with a Hungarian pálinka stinger to close.
DrinkClassic cocktails, Hungarian spirits
FoodSnacks
TipWed 18:00-24:00, Thu 18:00-01:00, Fri-Sat 18:00-02:00; closed Sun, Mon and Tue.
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Cocktail barCocktail barErzsebetvaros
Warm Up on Nagy Diofa utca in the Jewish Quarter is a modern Budapest cocktail bar built on Hungarian spirits like palinka and Unicum, with serious technique.
OrderThe Unicum-and-pálinka highball with a citrus twist.
DrinkModern cocktails on Hungarian spirits
FoodSnacks
TipOpen Tue to Sat from 18:00; book the bar seats for the bartenders' attention.