Bars

Feeling like having exquisite lunch or dinner in combination with a glass of fine wine these days? Flein’s situated right next to the beautiful Institut Francais building, Vienna’s French Cultural Institute, so there’s the great possibility to combine your meal with a little bit of rummaging around in French books, comics and music records or taking a walk in the spot’s beautiful garden.

Flein’s offering various dainties from all over, some endued with a little touch of French cuisine. So besides French classics such as Crème Brulée you should also give the international delicacies a chance, some of them will blow your mind.

One thing I really love about this spot is its cosy garden, hidden by many trees and offering a view direct into the Institute’s enchanting yard. Especially on a mild summer evening when crickets are chirping, the sun disappears slowly and the chains of lights hanging from tree to tree light this place up, it turns out to be a very nice place to spend your time at.

Of course, also in winter time Flein provides its guests with a cosy interior where you can warm yourself up with some tea or wine, watching snowflakes passing by outside the window panes…C’est si bon!

Nomen est Omen. So, as the name (Donau = Danube) suggests, be prepared to have the feeling of diving into a world of lights, music and sombre colors when entering the place.

This is a great place to start your evening at. Maybe you’re just done enjoying contemporary art in Museumsquartier (check Museumsquartier article) or need a chill out after an exciting shopping expedition on Mariahilferstraße, so much the better coming here as it’s right next to a couple of urban hot spots!

Donau shows itself as a wicked combination of a place where you can have a beer or two, get to know the newest tunes and still are able to have a conversation, as the music’s volume is not beyond the convenient. There’s also quite stylish snack bar and some really comfortable original cinema armchairs giving the place a certain old school Viennese character.

And – I love this interior’s element – don’t miss catching a glimpse of the ceiling and the remarkable art installation giving you the feeling of actually floating lazily along the blue river…

Plus; if you already feel like gaining an impression of what your evening might be like or if you just want to see whether you like the music or not, there is also an online radio station you should check out!

If you ever feel the need of escaping a grey and rainy day in Vienna you’ll be happy to enter this place, where cocktails are still prepared with fresh fruits all year long, delicious spirits tempt your taste buds and a cigar still gives you the feeling of sitting just outside on the veranda of a Cuban hacienda, enjoying the mild and warm wind tumbling your hair and watching the waves roll in.

For a long long time now this has been one of my favourite cocktail bars in Vienna. When I was 16, my friends and I came here quite often, sipping sweet delights (not too strong ones of course) together, surrounded by great Latin rhythms and the spot’s warm and cosy atmosphere.

But don’t worry, coming here you won’t stumble upon loads of youngsters being excited about trying their first Mojitos and Margaritas. Actually there are all kinds of people coming here, from students and night owls up to those that like to suit up every once in a while. Plus, the music’s not too loud, so, not as in many other cocktail bars where there’s the need of using pantomime or sign language, you can easily have a relaxed chat over your cocktails.

So, if you ever feel like having a summery shortbreak, come in here and get drawn into the world of guitar vibes, lime juice dashes and heavenly Daiquiris!

PS: Ladies Night every Tuesday – Thursday!

As the title implicates you’ll find several places within this spot, true to the maxim “Why be satisfied with just running a pub when you can have some many things at one time?”.

Pickwick’s is, above all, a real nice and relaxed Irish pub providing its guests with all kinds of beverages, snacks and music. What I personally love about the spot is that it really gives you a little bit of the feeling of being at home. Creating a great atmosphere, the place is furnished with some cosy armchairs, old fashioned sofas and big shelves filled with loads of books inviting you to stay a little bit longer and delve into English literature masterpieces.

And here’s the kicker: if you feel like exploring the place a little bit further, you should go and see the basement. Down there you’ll be amazed to see that Pickwick’s also houses Vienna’s biggest English video and DVD store, open way longer than all the other stores in town.

And just to make completely sure that guests are kept entertained, there are also weekly happenings such as Quiz Nights, Karaoke and similar..what more could you possibly wish for?

Pickwick’s offers you so many great and interesting things to spend your evenings with, and what’s best about it: every single one of them is worth a visit.

When in Vienna, do as the Viennese do. So, if you’d like to begin your evening with a placid meal, including the probability to get in contact with the local community, this is the place to go.

Due to its great popularity among the Viennese Kolar already inhabits three locations, all in the inner districts. Let me tell you about my favourite one which, as I do believe, not only is the most charming but also the lucky one as it’s right in the middle of Kleeblattgasse (Shamrock street).

Being situated in Vienna’s oldest apartment building (built 1539!), Kolar impresses its guest both with a great atmosphere and history. Over the years, this house hosted all kinds of establishments, some say even Mozart hung out under the spot’s enchanting low-ceiled vault every once in a while.

Since 1987 Kolar has been offering a big variety of “Fladen”, perfect in combination with an ice cold beer. Fladen is a type of thin bread filled with all kinds of delicious stuff, reminding me a little bit of Italian Calzone. What I love about the place is that you even can watch your Fladen turn golden brown in the open fire of the big stone oven.

Within the last years this place has been turning from an insider’s tip into a real hot spot, so don’t hesitate to join the crowd of people enjoying their meal, watching a soccer game or philosophizing over life.

Fladen and beer. So simple, so great.