Debrecen

Debrecen is Hungary's second largest city after Budapest (updated April 2025).  It is the regional centre of the Northern Great Plain region and the seat of Hajdú-Bihar county. It was the largest Hungarian city in the 18th century and it is one of the Hungarian people's most important cultural centres. Debrecen was also the capital city of Hungary during the revolution in 1848–1849. During the revolution, the dethronement of the Habsburg dynasty was declared in the Reformed Great Church. The city also served as the capital of Hungary by the end of the World War II in 1944–1945. It is home of the University of Debrecen. Tourist Information 

A wide range of leisure activities in Debrecen for hot summer days or in case of cold weather! You definitely won’t bore, because even children and grandfathers can find the most exciting things to do. Sightseeing, event calendar, cultural programmes and sports events.

Travelling to Debrecen by plane is already available from more and more countries. The airport is located directly on the outskirts so you can get to the city centre in a few minutes cheap by taking a taxi. You also can reach the downtown quickly if you get on a bus or train.

Budapest may be Hungary’s nightlife capital, but Debrecen is not far behind? Debrecen features a variety of beer establishments, including Debreczeni Sörfőzed, a brewery known for its lager beers, and a few bars like Stay Beer Bar and Szoda Bar that offer diverse selections, including local craft beers. Beer & Wurst is another popular spot offering a mix of food and drinks, including a selection of beers on tap. Additionally, there's Beer by Lake, a gastro-cultural event featuring both small-scale breweries and popular Hungarian brands.  So to make things a little easier I've rounded up the city’s best beer places.

Debreczeni kisüzemi sörfőzde, Debrecen, Pósa u. 10, 4031 Hungary

Open: Mon - Fri 11.00 - 20.00 Sat - Sun 09.00 - 21.00

A small compact brewery. They usually have 5 taps pouring some great tasting traditional beers. Quite modern inside with some outside seating. A definite must do visit when in town.

STAY Beer Bar, Rózsa ut.

Open: Mon-Thu 12-23, Fri-Sat 12-2, Sun Closed
The STAY beer bar is located in downtown Debrecen at the corner of Rózsa utca. They offer craft Hungarian beers, some Czech micros and other foreign craft beers. With the opening of STAY, the Beer Revolution also arrived in Debrecen, announcing and introducing the pearls of Hungarian small-scale or craft beer production. They have 8 types of drafts you can choose from and nearly 40 kinds of bottled beer.  It reminds me of Mikkeller's smaller Copenhagen brasserie.

Valhalla Söröző, Sarló u. 2, Debrecen, 4028 Hungary

Open: Mon-Sat 2pm-2am Sun - 6pm-1am

The place itself is a good atmosphere and spacious, with lots of cosy rooms, little courtyards and BBQ. The bartenders are nice, there's darts. The prices are pretty good.

Szóda Bár, Debrecen, Simonffy u. 1/c, 4025 Hungary

Open: Daily 14.00 to late?

If you are a beer enthusiast looking for a place that has a wide variety of Hungarian craft goodness, look no further than Szóda. The staff are very friendly and knowledgeable and the owner has her heart in this place; a passion project. There are only a few taps to choose from, but the selections of cans and bottles will definitely make up for it. The place also offers a good range of local wines, and other spirits. If you are in the city, Szóda is must do.

Belga Étterem és Söröző, Piac utca 29.

Open: Sun-Thu 10.00-24:00, Fri-Sat 10:00-02:00

This restaurant is centrally located, on direct tram route 1 or 2 from station. With the 19th centuries atmosphere (the whole place desperately needs some refreshing?) but its really a wonderful place and has out seating in good weather that overlook's the lovely square and passing trams. Standard Belgian selection on offer across all five taps & no Hungarian craft beer available! Quality is good, waiters are friendly, but too expensive 20+ Euro for a main dish is not a fair price in Hungary IMO

RONCSBÁR, 27 Csapó utca, Debrecen, 4024.

Open: Mon-Tue:11:00-00:00 Wed-Thu:11:00-02:00 Fri-Sat: 11:00-04:00 Closed Sun

Hungary is known for its iconic ruin bars and Debrecen’s own ruin pub is right up there with the best of them. A pub grub-style food menu offers snacks and larger meals at friendly prices and daily specials, the space is popular with anyone looking to grab a bite and relax in unique, cosy surroundings and grab a few craft beers. By night, live music performances and an even livelier atmosphere transform the bar into a vibrant place to enjoy a night out.

BarCraft Debrecen, Debrecen, Piac u. 26 a, 4024 Hungary

Open: Mon - Fri 16.00 - 00.00 Sat- Sun 14.00 - 00.00 

An amazing "pub" for friends to meet and play nearly any type of game, (computer, board, card) together. The staff are funny and friendly! The interior decoration is simply epic. A place for nerds of any kind of interest. They have lots of remarkably well-named drinks on their list, Highly recommended for all fans of games and or comics!

Beer And Wurst (B&W), Debrecen, Bajcsy-Zsilinszky u. 1-3, 4025 Hungary

Open: Daily 11.30 - 23.00

This restaurant is just Wow when it comes to the meal. A really good variety of dishes and reasonably prices for the location. A large room with seats for approximately 50 people can be reserved, but other, smaller tables are also available in a different room. A cool outdoor terrace at front in summer. A good international beer range, but nothing special on tap.

Bakelit Music Cafe, 21 Kossuth utca.

Open; Mon-Thurs 11am-1am Fri-Sat 11am-4am Sun Closed

Opposite the Csokonai Theatre, thirsty patrons can enjoy a drink at this casual bar while looking out onto the building’s beautiful architecture. Wine, beer, cocktails, and non-alcoholic drinks can all be found on the menu, and thanks to the welcoming, unpretentious atmosphere the pub has become a popular meeting place for locals – the occasional live music performances are also a big draw!

Calico Jack Pub, 15 Bem tér.

Open Mon-Sat 11.30am - 1am Sun-Closed

Decorated like a pirate ship, this quirky pub is both a great place to enjoy a meal (they are known for their gargantuan portions) and for casual drinks in the evening. As well as classic refreshments including local beers and wines, there’s also an extensive pálinka (Hungarian fruit brandy) menu allowing guests to try one of the country’s national drinks.

Beer by Lake - The Nagyerdei Sörkert

A gastro-cultural event as part of the Debrecen Flower Carnival, which promotes quality beer gastronomy and cultural entertainment in Hungary. The event will feature small-scale breweries, popular brands from Hungary and beer houses from abroad. The festival will bring the new wave of beer revolution to the Eastern Hungarian region. The Flower Carnival is a true concept on the domestic events calendar, which has become synonymous with Debrecen over the past 50 years. As one of Hungary’s largest and best-known festivals, it is an internationally visible event, and therefore an attractive tourist destination for visitors from abroad as well as from within Hungary. During the carnival week in August bringing exciting domestic craft beers, a diverse international beer selection and the experience of a relaxing holiday!

Drazsé Bár, Debrecen, Simonffy u. 1, 4025 Hungary

Open: Mon - Sat 14.00 - 00.00

A centrally located bar with a welcoming atmosphere and varied drinks menu. The outdoor terrace is popular during spring and summer, while inside the ambience is relaxed and inviting. Board game nights and other events keep locals coming back, as does the selection of cocktails, draft beer, and local wines.

Craft Café & Bar, Debrecen, Vezér utca 4/B, 4032 Hungary

Open: Mon - Fri 16.00 - 22.00

A surprisingly elegant and pleasant place, with quality drinks and friendly waiters, good prices, nice drinks and one of the cleanest Cafés in the city!

R.I.P.

Butiq, 4029 Csapó utca 24

Butiq is an unusual bistro, cafe, club and a real community place. The rustic-industrial environment inspired by the fashion world, packed food, specialty Hungarian craft beers (They may not have much but it’s better than most places in town), huge whiskey and rum selection, fine Hungarian wines and cocktails, loose environment, cool people, indoor courtyard and covered terrace. Music (DJ's) on at the weekends, from 8am onwards, deep house, new disco and house-music. Food is also available to order alongside the drinks menu, from pizzas and burgers to “deb dogs” made using Debreceni sausage (spiced with paprika). Nice spot to chill and hang out.

Neon City & Garden, 7 Kassai út.

Neon City & Garden is a ruin pub that is a real international meeting point where locals, international students or visitors from out of town or abroad can mingle and feel right at home. Foosball tables, large screens on which to watch the match of the day, a chilled out terrace…everything here is geared towards fun, which makes it a popular spot for students, visitors, and pretty much everyone.

Mini Bar, Simonffy u. 7

A small urban chic coffee bar that becomes a gin/cocktail bar later, they do have a fridege with a few craft bottled beers in that in this beer desert is well worth seeking out! It's a real friendly place to hang out and drink some good beers