Budapest is not a city you want to explore thirsty. And you won’t have to.
The sprawling capital of Hungary is an eclectic blend of old and new, the quaint and the modern, the chic and the downright dilapidated. Weaving through every street is an unmistakable charm that is palpable. Whether it be the colossus of the Hungarian Parliament, the many thermal baths, or the bronzed shoes along the bank of the Danube, Budapest is a city to be explored at a walking pace.
This seems like an appropriate time to mention that upon strolling out of the station, having been in Budapest for all of seven minutes, Shaunna and I decided to walk to the Buda side of the river (as Buda and Pest denote the east and west sides of the Danube respectfully) fully laden with backpacks and smelling like a non-air conditioned train car. It must also be said that the day was hot–and I mean the kind of heat that makes you question wearing pants in a city where no one knows you.
And then we saw it. A ruin bar.
So here’s the deal: Scattered throughout Budapest are neglected pre-war buildings that have been beautifully vandalized with a hodgepodge of graffiti, stickers, spray paint, plants, Christmas lights, and general randomness that doesn’t stop at using a toilet for a chair.
But the best part is that these ruin bars serve cold, free flowing beer to hot, exhausted, backpack-carrying Canadians, and as it turns out, to many other thirsty patrons as well.
So put a ruin pub on your list between the gorgeous Matthias Church and the unforgettable House of Terror. The busy, ramshackle beauty is remarkable; it’s something you don’t want to miss.
And remember, it’s pronounced “Buda-pesht”.
