szimpla

Szimpla Kert, commonly referred to as Szimpla, is a ruin bar in Budapest, Hungary. It is located in the city’s Seventh District, in the Jewish Quarter on Kazinczy Street, and is one of the earliest and best-known examples of the ruin bar phenomenon that emerged in the early 2000s. The venue occupies a derelict, multi-story building and has been repurposed into a rambling complex of rooms, courtyards, and balconies. Its interior is notable for eclectic, mismatched furniture, salvaged objects, graffiti, textiles, and colorful lighting designed to create a playful, ambient atmosphere.

Szimpla was opened in the early 2000s by a group of local organizers as part of Budapest’s post-communist urban revival. It helped popularize the ruin bar concept, combining bar service with live music, art installations, and a casual, communal vibe. The site now functions as a cultural hub, hosting rotating exhibitions, film screenings, performances, workshops, and markets, in addition to a restaurant and bar.

One of Szimpla’s enduring features is its Sunday farmers’ market, where local producers and artisans sell produce, crafts, and street food in the courtyard and adjoining spaces. The venue has attracted both locals and international visitors and is frequently cited in travel guides as a symbol of Budapest’s nightlife and creative urban renewal. The Hungarian name szimpla means simple or plain, reflecting the venue’s imperfect charm rather than luxury.