9 Best Cocktail Bars in Vienna (From Chill to Speakeasy)
From casual breweries to ultra-luxe venues, the best cocktail bars in Vienna, Austria can fit any vibe. After living here 4 weeks, our Vienna nightlife guide curates the top bars in Vienna you can’t miss during your visit, organized to suit your mood.
After a long day of touring, sometimes you just need a stiff drink – or two. Luckily, Vienna has an excellent nightlife scene, with a wide range of venues to suit your vibe. Whether you’re looking for a hipster hideaway, a spectacular speakeasy, or the perfect margarita, you can find it all in Vienna. After spending four weeks in the city, we’re here to take the guesswork out of your next drink. Our Vienna nightlife guide will help you find some of the best cocktail bars in Vienna, Austria, organized by vibe to help you quickly find the right spot for you.
Need help planning your itinerary for your trip to Vienna? Check out our post Visiting Vienna: Your 2-5 Day Itinerary. We’ve also got all the restaurant recommendations you need in our post Where to Eat in Vienna: 13 Exceptional Eateries.
Update note: This guide was reviewed in February 2026 to confirm current openings, pricing, and overall relevance.
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The Best Cocktail Bars in Vienna, Austria - Your Nightlife Guide:
- The Best Bars in Vienna, Austria
- FAQs: Vienna Nightlife Guide
The Best Bars in Vienna, Austria
We highly recommend these cocktail bars in Vienna for your next visit. From chill bars for conversation to upscale cocktail bars, speakeasies, and nightclubs, you can use our Vienna nightlife guide to find the perfect spot for your night out.
Chill Bars for Conversation
Conveniently located near the famous Burgtheater, Mamas Bar is an excellent spot to go for a pre-dinner or post-show cocktail. Mamas has a full menu of inventive cocktails that will intrigue and delight your tastebuds. I particularly enjoyed the Angels Love – served with fresh passionfruit I was told to “sip like an oyster” – and the Mozart Old Fashioned – made with dark chocolate liqueur and homemade vanilla syrup. The bartenders are friendly and knowledgeable, and as an added bonus, it’s dog friendly!
Mariatrink is a rooftop bar located in the trendy 6th district, near the aquarium Haus des Meeres (which, coincidentally, also offers an incredible view of the city from its rooftop terrace). Plan your visit for golden hour or sunset to get the most out of its panoramic views. If you need a pick-me-up before the rest of your evening, they serve an exceptional espresso martini. In a surprise twist, they top the drink with chocolate shavings and then flambée them at the table – truly a unique and delicious experience.
If you’d like a seat on the terrace to enjoy the view at this rooftop bar in Vienna, we recommend reserving a table at Mariatrink a few days in advance. This neighborhood is also a great choice for your hotel – learn more in our Vienna itinerary and city guide.
This cocktail bar in Vienna is the perfect hipster haven, through and through. Located in the 6th district, but very close to the city center, it’s easily accessible to any visitor. In addition to classic and craft cocktails, here you can find natural and biodynamic wines, artisanal vermouths and amari, and an eclectic mix of patrons. There’s a little something for everyone here – from works of young and up-and-coming artists displayed upstairs, to a ping pong table downstairs. And, of course, it’s dog friendly!
Update Note: We are so sad to learn that, according to Google Maps, If Dogs Run Free is now permanently closed. RIP to this great bar!
Finally, we have Ottakringer Brauerei. This one requires a bit of a commitment, as it’s a hike out to the 16th district, but the good news is that it’s conveniently located near several metro and cable car stations. Ottakringer is Vienna’s local brewery, so if you’re a beer hound, you can’t leave the city without tasting at least one glass straight from the source. With ample outdoor seating and frequent food trucks, it’s the perfect place to knock back a few pints with friends and enjoy a pleasant afternoon. They also offer Ottakringer brewery tours, and frequently host events. We recommend checking Ottakringer’s Instagram in advance of your visit to try to time it with a festival or live music event being held there.
Upscale Cocktail Bars in Vienna
Ready to class things up a bit? Head to the ultra-sleek and ultra-luxe Kleinod Prunkstück. Conveniently located in the city center, around the corner from Lugeck (another of our top Vienna restaurants), Prunkstück is one of three Kleinod establishments in town. The other two, Kleinod and Kleinod Stadtgarten are also excellent (Stadtgarten especially so in the summer), but Prunkstück stands out for its super cool aesthetic. If you want to feel like the über-wealthy but still pay less than 20 EUR a drink, this is the spot for you. I recommend the Lavalampe shot and the D. Ruffy cocktail, and – definitely – reservations.
We recommend making reservations at this top cocktail bar in Vienna, Austria at least 1-2 weeks in advance – book your table at Kleinod Prunkstück now.
Located in the dead center of town, Loos is BUSY. But, as long as you get a reservation – or arrive during off-peak hours – it’s worth checking out. Loos offers an extensive cocktail menu focusing on classic cocktails – and particularly whiskey cocktails – including many that were popular throughout history but may not be seen much nowadays. If you’re lucky, you can enjoy your Mad Men-style cocktail in the small interior of the bar, which features an incredible art deco design. Be sneaky with your photos though, as they’ve got a “no sightseeing – no photos” sign posted out front.
Ready to visit Loos American Bar? Reserve a table for groups larger than 2 here. If you’re averse to crowds, you can also sneak a peek at the architecture earlier in the day – it’s centrally located and easy to fit into your Vienna itinerary.
If you’ve seen our post Where to Eat in Vienna: 13 Exceptional Eateries, you’ll know we already love Santos for its food. But the bar here is not to be slept on. The Neubau location features a sexy, low-lit interior that’s perfect for date night. The vibes are 10/10, and the drinks take it to an 11. Their margaritas are fantastic, and they offer a range of other seasonally-focused drinks as well. Plus, they have a killer happy hour, with discounted drinks from 4-8pm and 11-midnight.
You likely won’t need a reservation to grab a drink at the bar, but if you’d like to stay for dinner too – which we highly recommend – make sure to reserve a table at Santos Neubau a few days in advance.
Speakeasies and Nightclubs
Tucked away near the top of the 8th district, The BirdYard is a speakeasy that’s actually a little hard to find. To get there, enter the deceptively casual Flip n Dip restaurant and head down the stairs to encounter a wall of mirrors near the restrooms. After turning around in confusion for a minute or two, you’ll discover that the mirrors actually are the doors, and proceed to feel like a real dummy. Shake it off and head inside to be transported to a tropical paradise. The walls of this intimate venue are covered with floor to ceiling murals of colorful birds and greenery, with a menu of equally colorful drinks to go with it.
And now for the flip side, let’s get a little down and dirty. For the late night club scene, we recommend O – the club. This popular, multi-room nightclub features frequent theme nights and events. On my visit, it was a night at the carnival, and wandering amongst the clowns and men on stilts from room to room felt a bit like I fell into Alice in Wonderland. Each room of the club has its own different vibe, so if one room feels a bit tired – or too wild – for you, you can just walk a few steps and try another. Expect solid DJs, costumed dancers, and a wild, fun night. At the time of our visit, cover was 15 EUR.
Want the VIP experience? Book a table at O – the club for your party here.
FAQs: Vienna Nightlife Guide
Which Cocktail Bars in Vienna Require Advance Reservations?
You can visit most of the bars in our Vienna nightlife guide without a reservation. However, we do recommend making reservations at the following in-demand cocktail bars at least 1 week in advance – book now using the embedded links:
Which Neighborhoods Have the Best Bars in Vienna, Austria?
Many of the best cocktail bars in Vienna, Austria are located in the 1st (Innere Stadt), 6th (Mariahilf) and 7th (Neubau) districts. These districts are also home to some of Vienna’s best restaurants, so it’s also a great place to set up shop for your stay. We’ve included some of our top hotel recommendations below – learn more about these and other recommended hotels in our neighborhood guide to where to stay in Vienna.
- 1st District (Innere Stadt):
- Hollmann Beletage Design & Boutique Hotel ($$$) – ⭐⭐⭐⭐, 9.1 average rating
- Hotel Zur Wiener Staatsoper ($$$) – 9.6 average rating
- 6th District (Mariahilf):
- Mint@Naschmarkt Premium Apartments ($$) – 9.5 average rating
- Boutiquehotel Das Tyrol ($$$) – ⭐⭐⭐⭐, 9.5 average rating
- 7th District (Neubau):
- Hotel Schani Salon ($$) – ⭐⭐⭐⭐, 8.4 average rating
- Hotel Altstadt ($$$) – ⭐⭐⭐⭐, 9.3 average rating
When Do People Typically Go Out in Vienna?
Nightlife tends to start on the earlier side in Vienna, but can extend long into the night. Expect bars to pick up around 9 or 10pm, and stay open as late as 4am!
Should I Tip at Bars in Vienna, Austria?
Unless it’s a very casual establishment, expect that no matter where you go out in Vienna, Austria, tipping will generally be expected. For a casual spot, round up a euro or two to an even number. For nicer cocktail bars in Vienna, plan to tip between 5-10%, increasing as the quality of the establishment and of the service increase. Learn more helpful tips for visiting Vienna in our travel guide.
Do Vienna Bars Accept Credit Cards?
Credit cards are the predominant form of payment in Vienna, so you shouldn’t need much cash during your visit. However, you may need cash for cover at the club or to dine at some of the best restaurants in Vienna, so we recommend having at least 100 euro (~$120) on hand during your visit. Don’t forget our pro tip on withdrawing from ATMs in foreign countries!
Pro tip: When offered an exchange rate by an ATM, you can – and should – always decline the rate displayed. This rate often includes a heavy markup on top of the market exchange rate. Declining the rate will not stop your transaction, but rather allow your personal bank to set the rate instead.
Do I Need to Speak Austrian German to Order at Cocktail Bars in Vienna?
No, but knowing a few words won’t hurt. We had no issues interacting with people in the service industry in English during our 4 weeks in Vienna, though knowing a few key phrases will definitely win you some brownie points with the locals. Practice these ones before your trip:
- Hello – Hallo – HAH-loh
- Goodbye – Auf Wiedersehen – owf VEE-der-zayn (Austrians also use servus – SEHR-voos as a casual goodbye/hello, similar to Italy’s ciao)
- Please – Bitte – BIT-teh
- Thank you – Danke – DAHNK-uh
- Excuse me (to call the bartender) – Entschuldigung – ent-SHOOL-dee-goong
- Can I pay? – Kann ich zahlen? – kahn ikh TSAH-len
- The bill/check – Die Rechnung – dee REKH-noong
- Delicious – Guat – goo-aht
Want to learn more? Check out our post Austrian German Phrases Tourists Actually Need (With Pronunciation).
Where Can I Learn More About Vienna and Why I Should Visit It?
Right here! We lived in Vienna for a month and have a full travel guide and itinerary for Vienna here, along with recommendations for our favorite restaurants in Vienna to grab a bite to eat before your night out. Check out all of our Vienna travel guides here.
Final Thoughts on the Best Cocktail Bars in Vienna, Austria
Now that you know the top bars in Vienna, Austria, go get gussied up and hit the town! We hope our Vienna nightlife guide leads you to some incredible nights out. Let us know what your favorite cocktail bars in Vienna were!
Looking for more recommendations on what to see and do in Vienna? Check out our post Visiting Vienna: Your 2-5 Day Itinerary.
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