15 Best Bars in Vienna, Austria

Ammutsøn Craft Beer Dive

6th District/Mariahilf Fodor's choice
The excellent craft beer bar serves up rotating beers on tap from a variety of microbreweries. There's usually at least one Austrian brew on tap alongside a United Nations of beers, and despite their name, the brick and wood-filled space has a vibe that's more rustic and cozy than divey. Staff are incredibly knowledgable and always happy to give you a taste before committing to a full mug.

Club U

4th District/Wieden Fodor's choice

"U" stands for underground, and fittingly, Club U is located below one of the two Jugendstil pavilions that Otto Wagner built when designing Vienna's subway. One of the best dance halls for alternative music in the city, it has outdoor seating, live music, a great atmosphere, and excellent DJs.

Sekt Comptoir

4th District/Wieden Fodor's choice
This tiny sparkling wine bar exclusively pours bubbly from it's own Szigeti vineyard in Burgenland, a wine-focused region. It's a few steps away from the popular Naschmarkt. The vibe is jovial and friendly and bartenders are walking-talking encyclopedias of sparkling wine.

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Café Carina

8th District/Josefstadt

In a cavernous subway station, Café Carina is dazzling in its dinginess. It's offbeat, artistic, and action packed—you get the sense that anything can happen here, from an air-guitar competition to an evening of 1980s hits. On weekends expect it to be packed.

Café Leopold

7th District/Neubau

In the MuseumsQuartier, this café-bar is hidden inside the large, white cube that is the Leopold Museum. Tables are scattered outside on the plaza at night, and in summer the restaurant vibe morphs into a bar and trendy hangout in the evenings.

Café Malipop

3rd District/Landstrasse
While most visitors come to Vienna for its elegant and grand coffeehouses, you should not miss an opportunity for a coffee or beer at a less prim and polished local institution like Café Malipop. This quirky, no frills spot has been open since 1979 and it is as much revered for its divebar warmth and abundance of character as for its excellent vinyl collection and strict owner, Frau Margit, who has a set of rules (i.e., no kissing) which must be followed by patrons.
Ungargasse 10, Vienna, Vienna, 1030, Austria
01-713--3441

Club Schikaneder

4th District/Wieden

In the middle of the Freihaus Quarter, the Schikaneder serves as both an independent, experimental movie theater and a very popular bar filled with the city's artists. It screens a few films daily (in original languages with German subtitles), hosts art exhibits, and offers first-class DJ lineups regularly.

Flex

1st District

Considered the top venue for indie music in the city, Flex has a sound system unparralelled in Vienna. Top indie bands from across Europe showcase here, and the DJ lineup is considered by insiders to be the best in town.

Fluc

2nd District/Leopoldstadt

One of the leaders and originals of nightlife in Vienna's 2nd District, the Fluc attracts world-famous DJs, who praise the small venue as one of the best in Europe. It is on the site of a converted passageway, so its thick, soundproof walls mean DJs can max out the volume.

ignacio vinos e ibéricos

1st District
This classy but casual Spanish wine bar pours exceptional Iberian wines and serves small and large tapas to nibble on, too. It's also a fully-stocked wine shop in case you want to grab a bottle for your hotel room. Service is friendly and welcoming and in warmer weather they have a few tables outside. It's the perfect place for a casual bite and a glass or two to wind down after a day of sightseeing. Reservations are recommended (it's a tiny space with few seats).
Salztorgasse 7, Vienna, Vienna, 1010, Austria
01-922--0851
nightlife Details
Rate Includes: Closed Sun.

Jazzland

1st District

In a cellar under St. Ruprecht's church, this is the granddaddy of Vienna's jazz clubs and is the oldest jazz venue in Austria. Thanks to the pioneering work of the club's founder, Axel Melhardt, Austrian jazz musicians have grooved with the best American stars. The club also serves excellent, inexpensive, and authentic cuisine.

Johnnys

4th District/Wieden

Near the Naschmarkt, Johnny's is the classic, every-city-has-one good old Irish bar. Good beer, inexpensive meals, quiz nights, and live music make this pub a popular hangout. Note that it's cash only, and often filled with smokers.

Porgy & Bess

1st District

Porgy & Bess is one of the top jazz clubs of Europe and is a fixed point on the international jazz scene.

Pratersauna

2nd District/Leopoldstadt

Famous for its unisex bathrooms, outdoor pool, and several floors of entertainment, Pratersauna has become Vienna's most popular club—particularly in summer. Considered by many to be the best club in town, this location is cool. When you need a break from the dance floor, take in the art exhibits.

Volksgarten Club

1st District

Back in 1870, Viennese used to come to the Volksgarten to waltz, drink champagne, and enjoy the night air in a candlelit garden. Today it's a diskothek, where locals flock to go clubbing, mostly to house and party music.