2 Best Bars in Budapest, Hungary

The oldest and best-known of Budapest's uniquely Hungarian romkerts, Szimpla Kert has won various international awards for its wild, exuberant, grungy style. Built inside a former stove factory, this maze of dark rooms, random furniture, and crazy light installations attracts a raucous crowd of locals and tourists working their way through the night with wild abandon. Expect a noisy, lively night here with the occasional patron's dog darting here and there between the tables while its owner sips on a hookah (available to rent). Szimpla hosts a weekly farmers' market featuring all-natural products on Sunday from 9 am to 2 pm.

While Budapest was a little slow to embrace the craft beer movement, it's finally and enthusiastically exploring the world of independent beermakers. One example of this new trend is Élesztő, which combines the grungy exposed-brick-wall-and-metal-barrel aesthetics of romkerts with a fine selection of high-quality beers and beer-based cocktails.