Don't worry, I won't always be sitting in the bus...
If you didn't know what you were walking into when you enter my friend's new bar, your head might explode with all the decor and happenings. But really, it's a tribute to one of his favorite places: the ruins pubs of Budapest. It's based upon how entrepreneurs in Budapest would take old, "ruined" buildings and transform them into great pubs.
Walking through the the revolving front door, you're greeted by not only a hostess stand, but one of the most decked-out VW buses that you ever will see. All done by a local artist.
Have the hostess grab you a table, where your seat might range from the typical bar stool to a transformed claw-foot tub. And your table-top, well, chances are it wasn't always a table-top. Odds are that it used to be a spool that held electrical cable that's been painted with artwork.
The menu ranges from traditional bar food to Hungarian dishes. Can you say Goulash? Yum.
Sampling, sampling, sampling.
Once you're seated, settled, and have satisfactorily ogled, head to the back of the bar for the showstopper. It's not the artwork (though the decoupage also excellent), but the back definitely holds the biggest attraction. It's a beer wall, featuring 40 different taps. And the best part? It's SELF SERVE! That's right, no more waiting on a waiter or waitress; you get to pour your own beer.
And don't forget to look up; they made an attraction out of the ceiling, too. From the display of a giant Santa being carried by a flock of ducks to the barrage of carousel horses, it's nothing short of astounding.
Even the "traditional" bar is covered in giant tarot cards.
Go check them out and see for yourself how much fun you can have at Ruins Pub in Crossroads!
