Recommended bars and cafes

The night life of district VII between the Jewish district and Kiraly utca is something unique to Budapest, with it's ruin pubs and courtyard bars (Szimpla kert, Fogas kert). There are also lots of quirky little cafes and bars such as Csendes Letterm.

Ruin pubs
Szimpla Kert, at Kazinczy utca 14 is the oldest and most famous of the ruin pubs and expends and changes with every year. Anker't at Paulay Ede utca 33 is a more monumental and spread over the courtyrds of several ruined buildings.

More laid back
If you're looking for something a little more relaxed check out Csendes at Ferenczy István u. 5, were the art school decor and and close packed tables combine to create a lively atmosphere. At the corner of Kazinczy and Dob, under the covered walkway is Fekete Kutya, which has good food and board games...

Summer gardens and courtyards
Also on Kazinczy are several garden bars including the boat-y themed Mika Tivadar and Koleves kert, which is connected to restaurant of the same name.

Winter hideouts
Melypont (meaning the 'the lowest point') is in a basement at Magyar utca 23, which resembles a 1950s sitting room, and has a great selection of craft beers.

Bar with a view
The bar with the best views is 360 on Andrassy ut, it's on the rooftop of the Alexandria bookshop and the door to the lift is just to the right of the bookshop entrance.