There is no shortage of bars in the Austrian capital. The best bars can be found in the former Jewish quarter (First District), in the area around the Ruprechtskirche, also known as the Bermuda Triangle.
Other, less festive neighborhoods include the Spittelbe’g near the Amerlinghaus (Seventh District) and the Fourth District, adjacent to the Naschmarkt.
Many of the best places to go out in Vienna are not really accessible to tourists, they are more for locals and are not necessarily in the city center.
Many clubs sort their guests out at the front door and are really strict. If you want to get in, you’d better look good and be well dressed … However, there is no shortage of alternatives to exclusive clubs and bars: trendy Viennese still appreciate the more traditional places to party, like the Heurigen (beer taverns) and the many balls in the city.
For more information on the type of music and the crowd that frequents the various venues on different nights of the week, visit DerFalzer(www.falter.at) or Szene ( www.szenewien.com).
Tickets for cultural events in the Austrian capital are available at all major concert halls and theaters in the city. You can also make your reservations at the Bundestheater box office at Hanuschgasse 3 (phone: +43 1 5144 42960: www.bundestheater.at). To keep up to date with all the cultural events, read the monthly magazine Programm, published by the Tourist Information Office at Albertinaplatz. For even more info, read Wien Mogazin(www.wienmagazin.at), Wien Live(www.wienlive.at) and Falter(www.falter.at).
Table des matières
The best bars in Vienna
Amerlingbeisl
The area around Spittelbe’g (the 7th district) is littered with bars, including the popular Amerlingbeisl with its beautiful green garden. This laid-back pub is simply a must-see in Vienna, especially at Christmas when Spittelberg comes to life with its famous Christmas market. In the evening, enjoy a delicious glass of ginger and apricot punch in the Amerlingbeisl atrium, sheltered by the canopy and lit by the stars. The cobbled courtyard is a true splendor and the place is perfect for a nightcap in one of the most beautiful streets in Vienna.
Address: Spittelberg, Stiftgasse 8, Vienna, 1070
Phone: +43 1 526 1660
Website: http: //www.amerlingbeisl.at
The Cafe Central
Coffee houses (Koffeehduser) are an essential part of Viennese life. For the price of a coffee, many Viennese spend hours there browsing the newspaper, working, reading a book, or simply watching passersby stroll through the streets – a tradition that is still very much alive today. Cafe Central, located in the beautiful Palais Ferstel in the first district, was the favorite meeting place of celebrities such as Sigmund Freud or the poet and writer Peter Altenberg. It has Gothic-style ceilings, music played by musicians every day of the week, and staff to take care of the guests.
Address: Central, Herrengasse 14, Vienna, 1010 Phone: +43 1 533 3763 :
Website: http: //www.palaisevents.at/cafecentral
The Cafe Stein
Koffeehdusers have an important place in Viennese culture and new versions of these symbols of life in the capital are experiencing an unprecedented revival with new establishments attracting a young and trendy clientele. Cafe Stein is a symbol of this new wave. With its minimalist interior, internet connections, vegetarian dishes and an all-day breakfast offer. Pros: a gorgeous view of Sigmund Freud Park – take a seat by the window and wonder what the father of modern psychology might have been thinking as he sat in Viennese coffeehouses meditating on the human mind. A beautiful place to philosophize, isn’t it?
Address: Central, Wahringer Strasse 6-8, Vienna, 1090 Phone: +43 1 319 7241
Website: http: //www.cafe-stein.com
The best cocktail bar in Vienna: Lutz Bar
The Lutz Bar is an elegant establishment with an excellent cocktail menu. The building was built at the turn of the century and looks directly onto the Museums Quartier and the Museum of Fine Arts. Its panoramic windows are perfect for watching passersby while relaxing with a glass of quality wine. The basement of the historic building now houses a beautiful club that is open late into the night, making it perfect for a cocktail (or four) in select company.
Address: Spittelberg, Mariahilfer Strasse 3, Vienna, 1060 Phone: +43 1 585 3646
Website: http: //www.lutz-bar.at
The most beautiful view in Vienna: Sky Bar
Sky Bar in Vienna is absolutely irresistible, you won’t be able to stand still looking at the breathtaking panorama while enjoying a beautiful, rich menu of deliciously good cocktails – the menu includes over 350! If you want to spend an elegant and relaxing evening in the Austrian capital, ordering the best drinks while enjoying the sublime view of the city, Sky Bar is the perfect destination for an unforgettable time, especially if you are a sophisticated traveler who likes to have a drink in first-class bars before dinner in the city. Located on the top floor of the Steffl department store in downtown Vienna, the venue offers a breathtaking view of the Giant Ferris Wheel, St. Stephen’s Cathedral and the Belvedere Palace.
The best cocktails in Vienna: Loos American Bar
This incredible Viennese bar is also known as Loos Bar. It is named after the famous Austrian architect (Adolf Loos, an advocate of complete purification in modern architecture) who designed it in 1908.
Marble, wood and mirrors create a warm atmosphere and give the cozy bar the feel of a private club for gentlemen only, which used to be its real function.
Today, a variety of artists and young and chic & trendy people meet here to sip cocktails, discuss projects or just to see and be seen, while celebrities enjoy a cigar and a whisky a bit away. Both the ambiance and the cocktails are exceptional. Sit back, enjoy a few martinis and start your evening on a good note.
Clubs and nightclubs in Vienna
Electro Gonner
If you want to spend a non-ordinary evening and experience unforgettable moments, you should try Club Elektro Conner, a party venue where art is omnipresent, with DJs and special events every weekend, such as a film club or interactive installations. Vienna is one of the cities that count in the European techno and electro scene, and is one of the key places to go clubbing in a purist atmosphere with bare brick walls. The club was created by some young Viennese architects in the former premises of an electronics store.
Address: Mariahilf, Mariahilfer Strasse 101/1, Vienna, 1180 Phone: +43 1 208 6679
Website: http: //www.elektro-g.at
The hip bar in Vienna: Le Fluc
If you’re not yet convinced that Vienna is gradually becoming the new Berlin, visit Le Fluc to change your mind. This ultra-trendy and ultra-hip bar is a tale of two places: a café-bar in an old pavilion overlooking the Praterau traffic circle on the first floor, and an incredible concert hall in the old underpass that is literally under the four lanes of the road directly above.
Address: Prater, Praterstern 5, Vienna, 1020 Phone: +43 1 218 2824
Website: http: //www.fluc.at
The biggest club for going out in Vienna: Pratersauna
In just a few years, Pratersauna has become Vienna’s largest club – and you’ll quickly understand why this status is well-deserved. An invigorating evening stroll through the woods of Prater Park will lead you to this former sauna. The pool still carries water, and partygoers may even jump in to cool off between drinks; the club is even famous for its summer “pool parties.” The main room looks confusingly like an art gallery – minimalist, chic with white walls. The world’s hottest DJs play at this internationally renowned club, and it is one of the main venues for the annual Waves festival, held every October.
Address: Prater, WaldsteingarterstraRe 135, Vienna, 1020 Phone: +43 1 729 1927
Website: http: //www.pratersauna.tv
The Flex
They say that the Flex has the best sound system of any club in Europe, don’t believe us? Given the world-famous bands that have performed here since it opened in 1990, there’s no doubting the quality of this iconic venue in the Austrian capital.
Located on the Danube Canal, you can walk along the waterfront and admire the ships as you sail away in the evening – it’s a dream.
Address: Central, Augartenbrucke 1, Vienna, 1010 Phone: +43 1 533 7525.
Website: http: //www.flex.at
The Jazzland
Jazzland opened in 1972 and is the oldest jazz club in Vienna. The place is relatively small, but the atmosphere is cozy, with an unpretentious interior and friendly staff, but the most important thing, of course, and above all, is the music. The bands play traditional jazz, blues, boogie, swing, folk and sometimes even modern jazz. The beauty of Jazzland is that the place itself is already more than worth a visit – a brick vaulted cellar, which already creates a very jazzy atmosphere and allows you to enjoy the music in a perfect setting. The drinks and food are also known for their quality.
Address: Central, Franz-Josefs-Kai 23, Vienna, 1010 Phone: +43 1 533 2575
Website: http: //www.ja22land.at
The Porgy & Bess
Named after an opera composed by George Gershwin, this club is a former porn cinema that has been transformed into what is simply one of the best jazz clubs in Vienna. You’ll find Porgy & Bess right next to the Stubentor subway stop. Besides its ambitious program of world-class concerts by local musicians, but also coming from all over the world, the club is also interested in experimental and unconventional music. The venue opened in 1993, but pays homage to the rich heritage of jazz that matured and flourished in Vienna in the decades before. Regulars love the smoky atmosphere that perfectly suits the club.
Address: Central, Riemengasse 11, Vienna, 1010 Phone: +43 1 512 8811
Website: http: //www.porgy.at
The legendary club to go out in Vienna: U4
A legendary pillar of Vienna’s club scene, the popular U4 is the place to go if you feel like dancing and are ready to party all night long. U4 is especially popular with celebrities and stands for energy and style. Musically, there’s something for everyone, with a different style of music every night – from classic rock to 80s house. On some evenings, bands perform live on stage and the crowd heats up the dance floor until morning.
Classical music in Vienna
The Musikverein
The Vienna Boys Choir is a Viennese institution founded in 1498 by Emperor Maximilian, who wanted to hear boys’ voices among the official musicians at court. Together with the chorus and orchestra members of the Vienna State Opera (state opera and ballet company), they form the Hofmusikkapelle, which performs throughout the year during mass in the chapel of the Imperial Palace. The Vienna Boys’ Choir also sings in the Brahms Hall, the Musikverein for chamber music, and the Volksoper. In a smaller venue, operas, operettas, ballets and musicals are performed. The famous Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra and the Vienna Symphony Orchestra also perform in this legendary hall.
Address: Central, Boserdorferstrasse 12, Vienna, 1010 Phone: +43 1 505 8190
Website: http: //www.musikverein-wien.at
The Vienna Konzerthaus
The Wiener Konzerthaus is the building where the Vienna Symphony Orchestra performs for much of the year. The Konzerthaus also houses the choir of the Vienna Singakademie and hosts international orchestras. It is a great concert hall – perhaps the largest imperial-era hall in the entire Austrian capital and a sight not to be missed when visiting the city. Even if you don’t have the chance to attend a concert during your stay, you can still see the building where the most beautiful classical music is brought to life by the best artists in the world.
Address: Central, Lothringerstraße 20, Vienna, 1030 Phone: +43 1 242 002
Website: http: //www.k0n2erthaus.at
Visit the best concerts and operas in Vienna: The Vienna State Opera House
No visit to Vienna is complete without a visit to an opera or a concert – because let’s remember, the city is also called the “capital of music” – and the Vienna State Opera is the best place to immerse yourself in its immense musical heritage.
One of the most visited and famous opera houses in the world, the State Opera has everything you could wish for: a breathtaking space, an immensely talented opera ensemble that regularly performs the best opera pieces in the world, and the – world famous – Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra that accompanies the performances.
In this city synonymous with music, operas and symphony orchestras, you can attend performances in the open-air squares, but nothing beats a performance at the State Opera, where you can enjoy the most beautiful music ever written in an extraordinary setting worthy of the legendary beauty of classical Vienna.
Theaters in Vienna
The Brut
Le Brut is a space for theater and truly unique events on the beautiful Karlsplatz with its old Art Nouveau station of the S-Bahn. At the Brut you can see plays and experimental theater, but it also hosts conferences and special events and even live music concerts. In addition, the small, trendy bar is especially popular with culture lovers to have a drink in good company, even if you didn’t come to a performance. The space itself is modern, minimalist and a real feast for the eyes.
Address: Central, Karlsplatz, Vienna, 1010 Phone: +43 1 587 8774
Website: http://www.brut-wien.at
The Burgtheater
This theater has a long history and is part of the tradition in Vienna, especially the imperial court contributed a lot to its development. There are over 50 theaters in the Austrian capital, but the Burgtheater (Palace Theater), which rises on the Ring (the city’s large circular boulevard), is the pride of the Viennese. This impressive building is the oldest and one of the most important in the German-speaking world. The Burgtheater was built in the 19th century and stages classical and contemporary works with an extremely sophisticated production. Other major theaters in Vienna include the Volkstheater, the Theater in der Josefstadt and the Schauspielhaus.
Address: Central, Dr. Karl Lueger Ring 2, Vienna, 1010 Phone: +43 1 5144 44140
Website: http: //www.burgtheater.at
For an upscale evening in Vienna: Aux Gazelles
Hammam, beauty salon, caviar and oyster bar, club and restaurant? All this in a single establishment. What more could you want? Aux Gazelles is a unique oasis of pleasure in the heart of Vienna, a treat for the eyes, the palate and the soul. Along with music and delicious drinks, visitors can rid their bodies of toxins while recharging their batteries and indulging in the pleasures of champagne, caviar, oysters and hookah.
I especially recommend going to Aux Gazelles for an extraordinary evening – the magnificent Bedouin-inspired settings, the bar and the irresistible Middle Eastern rhythms will convince you to take the dance floor for an intimate and glamorous evening, whether as a couple or with friends.
Leave a reply