The Ultimate Budapest Stag Do Guide 2023

If you haven’t already heard of them, ruin bars are taking over Budapest’s nightlife scene, not that we’re complaining. They’re basically quirky old spots like buildings and courtyards that have been done up in a hipster-before-hipster-was-a-thing way. The biggest and best of all the ruin bars has to be Szimpla Kert. It has to be said, it’s szimply exquisite (and not only because we can make that joke every time we talk about it), it really is the ‘Mecca’ of all ruin bars. The massive, former factory has bric-a-brac lining the walls and ceilings and is not just a bar, but a live music venue, a theatre events space and even an open-air cinema. You’ll even be sitting in sawn-off Trabant cars in the huge courtyard.

Why, Hello there Baby… Located on Andrassy Avenue, right on the Jewish Quarter’s perimeter, the high-end Hello Baby is a gigantic preserved 19th century palace, and one of the most characterful and charming clubs in the whole city. Living for the weekend (we hear you) this monster of a club only opens its doors on Friday and Saturday nights, adding to its hype and exclusivity. This epic club is spread is over three floors and has impressive acrobatics, stone balustrades, balconies, projector displays and huge transparent balloons suspended in mid-air. To top it all off, there are dozens of semi-naked girls dancing in the windows. Hello Baby, indeed.

As far as quirky drinking haunts go, Fogas Has is truly on another level. The psychedelic, multi-coloured Wonderland has recently undergone a huge refurbishment and is now an amalgamation of many different clubs which used to rub shoulders in the city – making it Budapest’s largest ruin bar complex and one of the largest party spaces in Europe. The complex has a total of four bars, meaning you won’t be queuing long for drinks (beers are less than a pound, just FYI) and there’s even a beer garden terrace that you can spill out onto and enjoy a bit of drinking in the bracing open-air. The merge has done wonders for the city’s nightlife scene, with longer opening hours offered and brand new musical projects popping up on different nights of the week.

Kicking off the bouncing block of party venues on Akacfa Street, Liebling is a great place to begin any Budapest bar crawl. With fairy lighting, sculptures, quirky wooden panelled staircases, shabby-chic walls, indoor plants, live music and craft beer, Liebling encapsulates the very essence of hipster haunt. This neat rooftop ruin bar is widely known as the ‘warm up act’ before party animals head to its larger sister bar, Fogas Haz. Whether you’re a lover of a fine wine, or just want to get tanked up on vodka, rum or whiskey, Liebling (literally translating as ‘my darling’), is sure to please all palates.

Fill up my cup… Mazel Tov. This awesome Aladdin’s cave of a bar is slap bang in the heart of the Jewish Quarter, surrounded by other like-minded bars, ideal for any stag do celebrations. The intimate Mazel Tov has a roof made entirely of glass and a floor of white pebbles – making it the brightest bar in the entire district. Deceptively small from the exterior, stumbling across this bar is like stepping through the wardrobe into the enchanted, mystical maze of Narnia, and trust us, you won’t want to leave. Not only is it a great spot to sink a speciality beer and grab a bite to eat, but it’s also the home of the annual Jewish Summer Festival – which is definitely worth a visit if you’re in the city during May.

Literally translating as ‘The Box’, you’ll be surprised at how intimate of a venue this is, despite its size. Doboz is probably the most tourist (and stag) friendly bar in the whole area, which says a lot. The pub, club and cultural hub is so huge, we wouldn’t be surprised if you got lost within its labyrinth – but you’ll be in no hurry to find its exit. With over 3,000 visitors through its doors per day, this huge space is not only a popular ruin bar, but a tourist attraction in itself. Boasting eight rooms, all playing different styles of music and even laying claim to housing the oldest tree in the district (at a staggering 300 years old), it’s a Budapest must see. There’s even a huge metal gorilla climbing the tree's branches – first to spot him gets a drink bought for him from each member of the group; at least, that’s our rule.

Only open Fridays and Saturdays, Peaches ‘n’ Cream lives for the weekend, and can you blame them? Located in the heart of Budapest’s self-acclaimed ‘downtown’, Peaches ‘n’ Cream is popular with R’n’B loving locals just as much as it is with tourists. Unlike the edgy, grungy and hipster ruin bars, this haunt has a seriously VIP vibe and is more like the clubs you’ll be used to from back in the UK, with exclusive lounges, high-end drinks (with none less than sparkler canons in them) and an elite crowd of thrill-seekers to match. This nightclub is so much of an institution, it even has its own ‘I like peaches, I like cream!’ merch on sale – which certainly beats your average fridge magnet or keyring.

We don’t mind if you make bad chemistry puns about this place, because all the good ones argon (see…). Like nothing else on the Budapest nightlife scene, Bar Pharma combines everyone’s favourite tipples with a complimentary side of science. Refreshingly different to all of the other bars within the Jewish Quarter, this one specialises in seriously quirky cocktails, rather than beers and traditional froccs, which are popular in extremely popular in Hungary. Showcasing specialist shots in medicine bottles and periodic tables lining the walls, the bar offers state-of-the-art drinks with a chemical twist.

You may have chosen to celebrate your stag do in Budapest but you’re about to take a pit stop in Spain – hola amigos. Not just a poor man’s Hard Rock Cafe, this multi-level bar has foosball, billiards, live music, rock and roll artefacts on the wall and unbelievably cheap beer (or should we say, cervezas?). It’s a great place to get tanked up - and practice your GCSE Spanish - before heading out into the majestic ruin bar scene.

If you haven’t already heard of them, ruin bars are taking over Budapest’s nightlife scene, not that we’re complaining. They’re basically quirky old spots like buildings and courtyards that have been done up in a hipster-before-hipster-was-a-thing way. The biggest and best of all the ruin bars has to be Szimpla Kert. It has to be said, it’s szimply exquisite (and not only because we can make that joke every time we talk about it), it really is the ‘Mecca’ of all ruin bars. The massive, former factory has bric-a-brac lining the walls and ceilings and is not just a bar, but a live music venue, a theatre events space and even an open air cinema. You’ll even be sitting in sawn-off Trabant cars in the huge courtyard.

The largest park in Budapest has its main entrance at Heroes’ Square (named after you guys, obviously), one of Hungary’s World Heritage sites. Boasting the Municipal Grand Circus, an ice rink, Szechenyi Baths, Vajdahunyad Castle and the Palace of Art in its grounds, it’s a fantastic place to take a breather from an action packed stag do.

The largest park in Budapest has its main entrance at Heroes’ Square (named after you guys, obviously), one of Hungary’s World Heritage sites. Boasting the Municipal Grand Circus, an ice rink, Szechenyi Baths, Vajdahunyad Castle and the Palace of Art in its grounds, it’s a fantastic place to take a breather from an action packed stag do.

You can’t visit the ‘City of Baths’ without a trip to the world famous Szechenyi Thermal Baths, the largest medicinal bath in Europe. Thousands of litres of healing hot water bubbles from deep underground, supplied by two natural thermal springs – reaching temperatures of over 75°C. This is where every savvy stag heads after a heavy one the night before.

On the banks of the Danube, the Hungarian Parliament Building is the tallest and most magnificent building in the whole city – you’ll probably recognise it as the backdrop for the Hungarian votes on Eurovision (you’re cultured like that). It’s an iconic landmark in the city and a seriously popular tourist attraction – where the country’s crown jewels are housed.

Unusually for a zoo, Budapest’s Zoo is located in the city centre – and is one of the oldest in the world. The nature reserve opened its doors in 1866 and has over a thousand species of animal living within its grounds – including the Komodo dragon and the wombat. Looks like you’re not the only animals hitting Budapest this year.

Named after the first King of Hungary, the spectacular, Neo-Classical St. Stephen’s Basilica is the third largest church building in the whole of Hungary. Completed after 56 years of construction, it’s pretty special – and attracts visitors to climb the 364 stairs for a 360° panoramic view of Budapest. Not recommended on a hangover. It’s also slap bang in the heart of District Five, meaning you can tick the cultural box while staggering between bars. It’s a win-win.

Bright white, contrasting against the blue Budapest skies – you can’t miss Fisherman’s Bastion. Situated on the Buda bank of the Danube, on Budapest’s Castle Hill, the castle-like, Neo-Gothic, Neo-Romanesque terrace with fairy tale towers, offers tourists panoramic views of the Danube, Margaret Island and surrounding areas. And, the best part is – entry is completely free, leaving more money for those less-than-a-pound pints later on.

The glorious suspension bridge connecting Buda and Pest is one of the city’s finest landmarks. Measuring 375 metres in length, with two iconic towers supporting it – it’s widely known as one of the modern world’s engineering wonders. You’ll probably pass over it on your transfer from the airport to your accommodation.

Founded in 1802, this impressive museum based in District Eight and showcases history, art and archaeology of Hungary – dating back through Roman times, WWII, Soviet State and freedom. If you’re into your Hungarian history (what do you mean it’s already your Mastermind specialist subject?) it’s a must. There are a few bars and pubs dotted around the museum too, and nothing says embracing local culture like a few beers, right?

When walking along the banks of the Danube, you’ll spot several pairs of shoes. These are a memorial sculpted by Gyula Pauer, to honour the people (mainly Budapest Jews) who were killed by fascist Arrow Cross militiamen during WWII. They were ordered to take off their shoes, and were shot at the edge of the river – as this haunting tribute depicts. They’re located on the Pest side of the city, which is where you’ll be spending most of your stag do anyway, so we’d recommend taking a look.