Octobeer – The best beer bars in Budapest

After more than four months spent in the grip of wine (first in the form of refreshing spritzer during the summer months, then by attending a different wine festival every weekend in September), it’s time we put the genie of fermented grapes back into the bottle and focus our thirst towards hops.

Nowadays, it’s virtually impossible to not find a bar serving amazing brews within a 500-meter radius in downtown Budapest, but it doesn’t hurt to know some of the most iconic places of the genre. Without further ado, let us give you the Funzine ale trail!

Élesztőház

1094 Budapest, Tűzoltó utca 22.

Located in a former glass factory, Élesztőház is the alpha and omega of the craft beer revolution: in the 5 years since its foundation it has become a true institution, now comprising of Central Europe’s first cask ale bar, a butcher’s kitchen, a coffee shop, a brew studio that hosts beer-tasting and brewing classes, an apartment-restaurant, a hip beer hotel, and a wine and tapas bar, besides the original craft beer bar.

Offering a wide selection of Hungarian artisanal brews as well as ingenious beer cocktails, Élesztőház should be the go-to place for every beer buff.

Léhűtő

1076 Budapest, Holló utca 12-14.

Situated just behind buzzing Gorzsdu Courtyard, Léhűtő offers around 60 beers to choose from, its selection ranging from porters to lagers and malt brews produced within and outside Hungary.

In addition, this popular venue (consisting of two adjoining bars) also functions as a tapas bar awaiting guests with enticing beer meals such as the onion chutney burger or the Spanish ratatouille.