Vienna's night has many moods. It might start with a cocktail in Adolf Loos's tiny 1908 masterpiece or a glass of Grüner Veltliner in a wine bar, unfold in the vineyard Heurigen of Grinzing over young wine and Schrammel music, or head to the canal, where legendary clubs like Flex and Grelle Forelle pump techno until dawn. Add world-class jazz cellars, rooftop bars and cavernous beer halls — plus the old 'Bermuda Triangle' quarter near the canal — and here is where to drink and dance, with areas, prices and tips.
Cocktail barLoos American Bar
Area
Innere Stadt (1st)
Type
Cocktail bar
“A tiny 1908 Adolf Loos masterpiece the size of a living room — arrive early for a seat and order a classic, expertly made.”
Cocktail barKruger's American Bar
Area
Innere Stadt (1st)
Type
Cocktail bar
“A plush, low-lit 1890s-style lounge with hundreds of whiskies and expert cocktails — a World's 50 Best contender in a colonial-club setting.”
Wine barZwe
Area
Wieden (4th)
Type
Wine bar
“A relaxed neighbourhood wine bar near the Naschmarkt with hundreds of Austrian wines by the glass — perfect for discovering Grüner Veltliner.”
Wine tavernHeuriger in Grinzing
Area
Grinzing (19th)
Type
Wine tavern
“Take tram 38 to the vineyard villages on Vienna's edge; look for a hanging pine branch marking an open Heuriger and order young wine by the Viertel.”
ClubFlex
Area
Donaukanal (1st)
Type
Club
“Vienna's legendary club on the Danube Canal, famed for a booming sound system and eclectic electronic line-ups — the canal-side terrace buzzes in summer.”
ClubGrelle Forelle
Area
Alsergrund (9th)
Type
Club
“A stylish two-floor techno club on the canal with a strict no-phones policy — turn up after midnight and dress to dance, not to pose.”
Jazz clubPorgy & Bess
Area
Innere Stadt (1st)
Type
Live music
“Vienna's premier jazz club stages world-class acts almost nightly — book ahead and arrive early for a good seat near the stage.”
Jazz clubJazzland
Area
Innere Stadt (1st)
Type
Live music
“Vienna's oldest jazz club, in a 12th-century vaulted cellar by the Ruprechtskirche — traditional and Dixieland jazz in a magical stone setting.”
Rooftop barDachboden (25hours Hotel)
Area
Neubau (7th)
Type
Rooftop bar
“A hip rooftop bar atop the 25hours Hotel with skyline views to the Rathaus and Ring — arrive before sunset for a table and a spritz.”
Beer & wine hallAugustiner Keller
Area
Innere Stadt (1st)
Type
Beer hall
“A vast vaulted cellar under the Albertina serving wine, beer, roast meats and nightly live Schrammel music — hearty, boisterous and fun.”
Vienna nightlife in detail
1.Loos American Bar
The Loos American Bar, often simply called the Kärntner Bar, is one of the most remarkable little rooms in Vienna and a place of pilgrimage for anyone interested in design or a serious cocktail. Designed in 1908 by the pioneering modernist architect Adolf Loos, a champion of clean lines who famously railed against ornament, it is astonishingly tiny — barely 27 square metres — yet feels expansive thanks to a brilliant illusion: the walls above the onyx and mahogany panelling are lined with mirrors that reflect the coffered marble ceiling to infinity, so the cramped space seems to open out endlessly. It is a genuine architectural landmark, protected and lovingly preserved, and squeezing into one of its few tables or bar stools is like stepping into early-twentieth-century Vienna. The bar lives up to its setting, mixing precise, classic cocktails — this is the place for an impeccable Negroni, Martini, Whiskey Sour or Old Fashioned rather than flashy modern concoctions — served by skilled, old-school bartenders. Because it is so small and so famous, it fills quickly and there is often a wait in the evening, so the trick is to come early, in the afternoon or right on opening, to secure a spot and appreciate the room before the crush. Prices match the pedigree but are fair for the quality and the experience. Tucked just off Kärntner Strasse in the heart of the old town, it makes a perfect, atmospheric stop for a pre-dinner or nightcap drink, and a must for design lovers who want to sip a cocktail inside a bona fide piece of modernist history.
Hours
Daily ~12:00–04:00
Price
Cocktails ~€13–16
Getting there
U1/U3 to Stephansplatz, short walk to Kärntner Durchgang 10 (off Kärntner Strasse)
Insider tip: A tiny 1908 Adolf Loos masterpiece the size of a living room — arrive early for a seat and order a classic, expertly made.
2.Kruger's American Bar
Kruger's American Bar is one of Vienna's most atmospheric and accomplished cocktail destinations, a large, sumptuous and clubby bar hidden just off Kärntner Strasse that transports you to the plush, gaslit world of a nineteenth-century gentleman's club. Behind an unassuming door, the interior unfolds into a warren of dimly lit, wood-panelled rooms decorated in a rich colonial style — deep leather Chesterfield sofas, hunting trophies, oil paintings, Persian rugs, brass and mahogany — that feels a world away from the bright modern city outside and makes it a wonderfully cosy, grown-up place for a long evening of drinks and conversation. The bar's reputation, however, rests on serious substance: it holds one of the most extensive spirit collections in Austria, with hundreds of whiskies from Scotland, Japan, the US and beyond, alongside rums and other rarities, and its bartenders are among the most skilled in the city, turning out both flawless classics and inventive house creations. That quality has earned it international recognition and a regular place in discussions of the world's best bars. It is more spacious and less of a squeeze than the tiny Loos Bar nearby, so it is easier to settle in for the night, though it still fills up and can get busy and smoky at weekends. Ideal for whisky lovers, cocktail connoisseurs or anyone wanting a refined, romantic and characterful spot for an evening drink in the heart of the old town, Kruger's is a Viennese classic that rewards a leisurely, indulgent visit.
Hours
Daily ~17:00–02:00 (later at weekends)
Price
Cocktails ~€12–16
Getting there
U1/U2/U4 to Karlsplatz, short walk to Krugerstrasse 5, off Kärntner Strasse
Insider tip: A plush, low-lit 1890s-style lounge with hundreds of whiskies and expert cocktails — a World's 50 Best contender in a colonial-club setting.
3.Zwe
Zwe is a charming, relaxed modern wine bar just off the Naschmarkt that offers the perfect introduction to Austria's excellent and often underrated wines in a warm, unpretentious neighbourhood setting. Austria produces superb wines — above all the crisp, peppery, food-friendly white Grüner Veltliner that is the national signature, alongside elegant Rieslings, characterful Blaufränkisch and Zweigelt reds, and the light, refreshing 'Gemischter Satz' field blends grown within Vienna's own city limits — and Zwe is a lovely place to explore them. The focus is squarely on small, quality-minded Austrian growers, many working organically or biodynamically, and the strength of the place is its generous by-the-glass selection, which lets you taste your way through regions and styles rather than committing to full bottles, guided by genuinely knowledgeable and enthusiastic staff happy to steer you. The atmosphere is cosy and convivial — a simple, woody, candlelit room and a few outside tables — the kind of low-key local spot where you settle in for the evening rather than pose. To accompany the wine there is a short menu of well-chosen small plates: Austrian cheeses and charcuterie, bread, and seasonal bites designed to complement what is in your glass. Prices are fair and the vibe welcoming to both casual drinkers and serious wine lovers. For anyone wanting to understand why Austrian wine is having such a moment, or simply seeking a relaxed, authentic evening of good glasses and good conversation away from the tourist bars, Zwe is a delightful, quintessentially Viennese choice near one of the city's great markets.
Hours
Mon–Sat ~17:00–24:00 (closed Sun)
Price
Glasses from ~€5; small plates €6–14
Getting there
U1/U2/U4 to Karlsplatz or U4 to Kettenbrückengasse, near the Naschmarkt
Insider tip: A relaxed neighbourhood wine bar near the Naschmarkt with hundreds of Austrian wines by the glass — perfect for discovering Grüner Veltliner.
4.Heuriger in Grinzing
One of the most delightful and distinctive things about Vienna is that it is the only major world capital with significant vineyards inside its city limits, and the Heuriger — the traditional wine tavern — is where that heritage comes alive. On the wooded northern edge of the city, villages like Grinzing, Nussdorf, Neustift and Heiligenstadt sit among sloping vineyards, and their Heurigen are rustic, convivial taverns where the local winemakers serve their own young wine (the word 'Heuriger' means 'this year's') straight from the barrel, traditionally marked as open by a bunch of pine or holly twigs (a 'Buschen') hung above the door. The ritual is wonderfully simple and inexpensive: you order the young white wine by the glass or the eighth-of-a-litre, often the fresh, gently fizzy new wine, or in autumn the cloudy, sweet, fermenting 'Sturm', and pair it with a self-service cold buffet of Austrian tavern food — roast pork, cold cuts, cheeses, spreads, bread and pickles — eaten at long communal wooden tables in a cosy panelled room or a leafy garden courtyard. Many taverns lay on live 'Schrammelmusik', the nostalgic accordion-and-violin folk music of old Vienna, adding to the merry, singalong atmosphere as the evening wears on. Beethoven and generations of Viennese have made merry here. Grinzing is the most famous and accessible spot, reached in about half an hour on tram 38, though it can be touristy; venture to Nussdorf or Stammersdorf for a more local feel. A Heuriger evening, ideally combined with a walk through the vineyards to a viewpoint like Kahlenberg, is an essential, joyful and affordable Viennese experience.
Hours
Varies by tavern, typically afternoon–late; check which are 'ausg'steckt' (open)
Price
Wine ~€3–5 per 1/8 litre; buffet plates €5–12
Getting there
Tram 38 from Schottentor to Grinzing; or bus 38A to Kahlenberg for the vineyard walk
Insider tip: Take tram 38 to the vineyard villages on Vienna's edge; look for a hanging pine branch marking an open Heuriger and order young wine by the Viertel.
5.Flex
Flex is a Viennese nightlife institution, a legendary and defiantly gritty club burrowed into a tunnel beside the Danube Canal that has been at the heart of the city's underground and electronic music scene for decades. Its reputation rests above all on its sound: the main room is renowned for having one of the best and most powerful sound systems in Europe, making it a magnet for serious clubbers and a favoured stop for touring DJs and live acts across techno, house, drum and bass, indie, hip-hop and experimental electronica. The aesthetic is raw and unpretentious — concrete, graffiti, sweat and low light rather than glamour and bottle service — which is precisely the appeal for those who want substance over style. The programming is genuinely eclectic, with different nights catering to very different crowds, so it is worth checking who is playing before you go. Just as important is the setting outside the club: the canal-side terrace and café-bar in front of Flex is one of the most popular open-air hangouts in the city on warm evenings, where a young, mixed crowd gathers to drink cheaply, sit on the steps by the water and soak up the summer atmosphere long before the club fills up. Entry is affordable and the vibe inclusive and unpolished. For visitors wanting to experience Vienna's real, non-touristy nightlife — a proper late night of loud electronic music in an authentically grungy setting by the water — Flex remains the definitive choice, best approached late and with energy to spare.
Hours
Club nights ~22:00–06:00 (days vary); canal café-bar earlier
Price
Entry ~€8–15 depending on the night
Getting there
U2/U4 to Schottenring, steps down to the canal at Augartenbrücke
Insider tip: Vienna's legendary club on the Danube Canal, famed for a booming sound system and eclectic electronic line-ups — the canal-side terrace buzzes in summer.
6.Grelle Forelle
Grelle Forelle ('bright trout') is one of Vienna's most respected and stylish clubs, a sleek, purpose-built temple to electronic music set beneath a bridge on the banks of the Danube Canal that has become a fixture of the serious clubbing scene. Spread over two floors with a clean, contemporary industrial design, it is a more polished and design-conscious space than the raw grunge of Flex, but it is every bit as focused on the music and the dance floor. The programming leans into quality techno and house, drawing an impressive roster of respected international and local DJs, and the club has built a strong reputation for excellent sound, atmospheric lighting and a crowd that comes genuinely to dance rather than to be seen. A notable and increasingly beloved feature is its strict no-photography, phones-away policy on the dance floor, part of a deliberate ethos of creating an immersive, present, hedonistic space where people can lose themselves in the music without the distraction and self-consciousness of social media — a rule that helps foster the open, unpretentious energy it is known for. It opens late and runs until well past dawn, mainly on Fridays and Saturdays, so it is strictly a night-owl destination; arrive after midnight when it gets going. Entry is moderate and the door can be selective on busy nights, favouring those there for the music. For travellers who love electronic music and want to experience Vienna's contemporary club culture at its best — great DJs, superb sound and a proper, phone-free dance-floor atmosphere in a stylish canal-side setting — Grelle Forelle is a top choice.
Hours
Fri & Sat ~23:30–06:00 (occasional weeknights)
Price
Entry ~€12–18
Getting there
U4 to Rossauer Lände, steps to the canal at Spittelauer Lände 12
Insider tip: A stylish two-floor techno club on the canal with a strict no-phones policy — turn up after midnight and dress to dance, not to pose.
7.Porgy & Bess
Porgy & Bess is the beating heart of Vienna's jazz scene and one of the most respected jazz clubs in Europe, a serious, professionally run venue in the old town that presents an ambitious, high-quality programme of live music almost every night of the year. Housed in a former adult cinema cleverly converted into a proper concert club with tiered seating, good sightlines, excellent acoustics and a full bar, it manages to feel both intimate and grown-up, focused squarely on the music rather than being a place to chat over a background soundtrack. The bookings are genuinely impressive and wide-ranging: alongside the best of the Austrian and Central European jazz scene, it regularly attracts touring international stars and rising talents across the whole spectrum of the genre — straight-ahead and modern jazz, avant-garde and free improvisation, world music, funk, soul and cross-over projects — making it a favourite of both dedicated aficionados and curious newcomers. The atmosphere is attentive and appreciative, the kind of room where audiences actually listen, and the standard of musicianship is consistently high. Because it is a ticketed concert venue with a nightly changing bill, it is well worth checking the programme in advance and booking ahead for popular acts, and arriving early helps secure a better spot. Centrally located and easy to reach, it offers a completely different, more cultured flavour of Viennese nightlife than the clubs and bars. For anyone who loves live jazz, or simply wants a memorable evening of top-class music in an atmospheric setting, Porgy & Bess is an essential stop.
Hours
Concerts most evenings, doors ~19:00–20:00
Price
Tickets ~€15–40 depending on the act
Getting there
U3 to Stubentor, 3-minute walk to Riemergasse 11
Insider tip: Vienna's premier jazz club stages world-class acts almost nightly — book ahead and arrive early for a good seat near the stage.
8.Jazzland
Jazzland is the oldest jazz club in Vienna and a wonderfully atmospheric counterpoint to the modern Porgy & Bess, a cosy, characterful venue that has been keeping traditional jazz alive since 1972 in one of the most evocative settings imaginable. It occupies a series of ancient vaulted brick cellars said to date back to the twelfth century, tucked beneath street level beside the tiny Ruprechtskirche — Vienna's oldest church — in the old 'Bermuda Triangle' nightlife quarter near the canal. Descending the stairs into the warm, low, candlelit stone vaults, drink in hand, to hear live music in a space that has stood for 800 years is an experience in itself, intimate and timeless. Musically, Jazzland stays true to its roots, specialising in the classic, foot-tapping end of the spectrum — New Orleans and Dixieland, swing, blues, boogie-woogie and mainstream traditional jazz — performed by dedicated Austrian and visiting musicians for an appreciative, often loyal regular audience, with the option of simple Viennese food to accompany the show. It is smaller, more old-fashioned and more purely traditional in focus than the eclectic Porgy & Bess, and that is exactly its charm: this is jazz as a warm, convivial, unpretentious cellar tradition rather than a slick concert. Concerts run on set evenings, so check the schedule and consider booking, especially at weekends, and arrive in good time to get a table close to the band in the atmospheric vaults. For lovers of classic jazz and anyone seeking a magical, historic and genuinely local night out, Jazzland is a Viennese treasure.
Hours
Concert nights ~19:00–01:00 (typically Mon–Sat; check schedule)
Price
Tickets ~€15–25
Getting there
U1/U4 to Schwedenplatz, 3-minute walk to Franz-Josefs-Kai 29, by the Ruprechtskirche
Insider tip: Vienna's oldest jazz club, in a 12th-century vaulted cellar by the Ruprechtskirche — traditional and Dixieland jazz in a magical stone setting.
9.Dachboden (25hours Hotel)
The Dachboden ('attic') is the rooftop bar of the 25hours Hotel beside the MuseumsQuartier, and it has become one of the most popular and enjoyable spots in Vienna for a drink with a view, especially at golden hour. Perched on top of the playful design hotel, it combines a laid-back, boho-industrial interior of vintage furniture, rugs, plants and quirky bric-a-brac with an open-air terrace that delivers a genuinely lovely panorama over the rooftops of the 7th and 8th districts towards the neo-Gothic spires of the Rathaus, the greenery of the Ring and the hills beyond — a view that is at its most magical as the sun goes down over the city. The vibe is young, creative and relaxed rather than exclusive or stuffy, drawing a mix of hotel guests, local hipsters, after-work crowds and visitors, and it works equally well for an afternoon coffee, a sunset aperitivo or a longer cocktail-fuelled evening. The drinks list runs to well-made cocktails, spritzes, wine and beer, with some sharing plates and snacks to accompany them, and DJs often add to the atmosphere later on. Because the view and the setting are such a draw, it gets busy on warm evenings and there is no reservation for the terrace, so the trick is to arrive early — ideally before sunset — to bag an outdoor table. Its location right by the MuseumsQuartier and the Ring museums makes it an easy and rewarding stop to round off a day's sightseeing or begin a night out in the lively Neubau district. For rooftop views and a fun, unpretentious buzz, Dachboden is one of Vienna's best.
Hours
Daily from ~15:00–17:00 until late (weather permitting)
Price
Cocktails ~€11–15
Getting there
U2/U3 to Volkstheater, short walk to Lerchenfelder Strasse 1–3, beside the MuseumsQuartier
Insider tip: A hip rooftop bar atop the 25hours Hotel with skyline views to the Rathaus and Ring — arrive before sunset for a table and a spritz.
10.Augustiner Keller
The Augustiner Keller is one of Vienna's great traditional cellars, a vast, atmospheric vaulted space burrowed beneath the Albertina and the Hofburg complex that has been serving wine since 1327 and remains a wonderfully convivial, boisterous place to eat, drink and soak up old-world Viennese cheer. Descending into its long, arched brick tunnels, you find rows of wooden tables filling with a happy, noisy mix of locals and visitors, waiters in aprons ferrying carafes of Austrian wine and foaming mugs of beer, and the warm, informal energy of a place built for merrymaking. The food is hearty, generous and classically Austrian: the house speciality is Stelze, a huge crispy roast pork knuckle, alongside schnitzel, roast meats, goulash, spare ribs and all the traditional trimmings, designed to line the stomach for a long evening of drinking. Prices are reasonable for such a central, historic spot. The real magic, though, comes in the evenings, when live traditional 'Schrammelmusik' — the nostalgic accordion, violin and guitar folk music of old Vienna — strikes up and works its way between the tables, encouraging singing, clinking glasses and a genuinely festive, communal atmosphere that can carry on late into the night. It is touristy in the best sense, a big, warm, fun night out that captures the beer-and-wine-hall side of the city's soul, just steps from the Opera and the Hofburg. Come with a group and an appetite, order the Stelze and a carafe of wine, and settle in for a lively, quintessentially Viennese evening underground.
Hours
Daily ~11:00–24:00; live music from ~18:30/19:00
Price
Mains €12–22; wine and beer by the carafe/mug
Getting there
U1/U2/U4 to Karlsplatz (Opera exit), short walk to Augustinerstrasse 1, under the Albertina
Insider tip: A vast vaulted cellar under the Albertina serving wine, beer, roast meats and nightly live Schrammel music — hearty, boisterous and fun.