Overview of ruinpubs, or spritzers are better on scattered chairs!

Today, few people can say that they have not visited one of these establishments at least once, as they have been the capital’s centres of alternative culture, arts and youth community life for decades. But it’s not just the capital that has been enriched by these unique drinking establishments, in recent years, the trend has also spread to the countryside. The ruinpubs were born out of both practicality and the changing needs of the public: slightly run-down buildings were easier to furnish with furniture collected from here and there and “discarded” by others, while young people were slowly turning away from the monotony of classic nightclubs in search of something unique. The recipe has remained the same ever since: the more colourful, the better. However, the range of what such a venue can offer is widening. Ruinpubs are as much a place for cheap spritzer drinking as they are a cultural and artistic hotspot or a gastropub.

The first location on our list, a real downtown atmosphere, is just a 1 hour drive from Budapest, on the banks of the Danube. But this is no coincidence, as behind Tandem is the team of Szimpla, one of Budapest’s cult ruinpubs. It’s almost impossible to miss the inviting community space with its colourful tables and huge courtyard, following the winding cycle path along the beach. The drinks menu is on the classic lemonade-spritzer-beer axis, perfectly complemented by simple but delicious beach dishes.

When it comes to cult places in Debrecen, you can’t go past the Roncsbár without saying something. With its festival-like atmosphere, it has been the centre of Debrecen’s music life and has hosted concerts by many local and well-known Hungarian bands since its establishment more than 10 years ago. With a combination of retro, rock music and motorbike elements, they have created a truly unique atmosphere, and it’s safe to say that this is a real, bloody rock ‘n’ roll pub. The main focus is on the ultimate musical experience: a concert space with state-of-the-art sound and lighting technology for a raving audience.

The Csinos Presszó in Pécs doesn’t lie about its name, the ruinpub housed in an old bourgeois apartment has a really nice interior: a real colour palette, with a lot of retro objects and contemporary artworks. It is not only a pub, but also a community space, and it is no coincidence that the design of the presso was a community project, so it became a regular meeting place for local young people soon after it opened. The drinks menu is dominated by local specialities, with a special focus on beers, but there is also a strong selection of teas and syrups from Pécs and the surrounding area.

An 80’s-style interior, a very spacious seating area, craft beers, a separate kitchen area: the Gázfröccs is a real gem in Sopron. Whether it’s about a good lunch, dinner, afternoon coffee or a casual evening beer, this is the place to stop in. Keep an eye on the programmes, too; as the square is home to many local community events, intellectual and cultural initiatives. Tip for gastro pub lovers: one of the most succulent burgers in town can be found here, so don’t miss it if you are in the area!

A place where you can really relax. The Nyugi garden in Szeged offers a truly homely atmosphere, with an eclectic cavalcade of furniture reminiscent of grandma’s living room. Leaning back in huge armchairs or stretching out on a retro leather sofa, it’s easy to get lost in a conversation with friends as if you were just at home. In the decades-old meeting place of Szeged students, you can find everything you would expect from a classic ruinpub: a wide range of beers, spritzers and brandies at student-friendly prices.

We conclude with a truly elegant representative of the genre.  The Papírkutya (‘Paper Dog’) in Veszprém is a ruinpub, a gastro pub, a bistro and a cultural place, all rolled into one very pleasant dumpling. Quiet nights are rare here, as it is one of the city’s most exciting music venues.  If you are a rum lover, it’s a bucket-list place: a huge selection of rums can be found on the shelves behind the bar.

These countryside ruinpubs are not just a collection of scrappy chairs and colourful tables: their unique atmosphere and special offerings make them stand out from the nightlife scene. They invite visitors with their own personality and community spirit. Sitting on the worn furniture, sipping our spritzer, we can share memorable moments that will be talked about for a long time to come.