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!

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Das Donau | Bars, Music, Snacks | Beer € 3.00
Karl Schweighofer Gasse 10 | Inner districts | +4315238105
Open from 18:00 daily

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!

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Ron Con Soda | Bars, Music | Cocktail from € 7.00
Seitenstettengasse 5 | Danube Canal Area | +436503192184
19:00 – 04:00 daily

I just happened to stumble upon this place, not being aware of the possibility to find yet another cool shop in this area. Vienna taught me a lesson again, I should have known better.

If you ever are on the search for a record, a long-forgotten LP, a colorful gramophone or if you’re just in the mood for rummaging around in – as the name says- Old and New music treasures you should definitely pay this place a visit.

I have to admit, when I entered the shop I was quite overwhelmed by the loads of colors, discs and quirky stuff standing and hanging around all over the place. Or to say it with the words of my friend: “I’m not sure whether I should call this place dusty or cool”. There is a lot to explore actually! Besides evergreens, classic music and current hits, you’ll enjoy getting to know some special contains such as Viennese Lieder, Cabaret, Old Austrian student songs and a lot more..

And once you think you’re overseeing the place slowly one of the friendly shop owners may guide you to one of the two fully record-packed rooms that are hidden in the back of the shop…so make sure you’re not loosing track of time while exploring!

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Alt und Neu | Art & culture, Music, Shopping | LP’s from € 4
Windmühlgasse 10 | Inner districts | +4315862133
Mon – Fri 13:00 – 18:00, Sat – Sun 10:00 – 12:00

Last week I got introduced to the work of avant-garde musician John Cage, not being aware of the fact that there’s really potential for me to become an experimental music’s addict. How I happened to make this experience? I’ll tell you.

Just recently I got to meet somebody that is studying classic piano, so being asked if there was any concert or other possibility to listen to his music he kindly invited my friends and me to join one of his ‘Klassenabende’. And so should you.

The principle is simple: Groups of music students get to present their artistic and creative progress in public, on a regular basis. As, mostly, there are not too many people watching these shows, you’re welcome to enjoy their appearance in one of those many beautiful chambers of Vienna’s Music University.

Besides from Piano, Clarinet, Viola and Organ Klassenabende there’s a great variety of acoustic matinees, vocals soirees and music brunches (calorie- and greaseless, of course) being communicated over their website. And as Music University is situated right next to Belvedere you’re likely to have a great view from the show room as well.

Classic or contemporary music and Viennese architecture, a perfect combination. And the best thing about it: It doesn’t cost anything.

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MDW | Art & culture, Music | Free
Rennweg 8 (Entry) | Inner districts | +43171155
Check website for showtimes

Have you ever dreamt of a place where you get a delicious breakfast for only 3,50 euros (coffee not included, but for half the price)? Yes? Then you should definitely head to this place!

The Tunnel is located in the 8th district, in a nice and quiet street. In summer there are even some places to sit outside on the sidewalk. Interiors are in dark wood, with some nice big sofas and all in all it is very cozy.

There are some very big tables, where you have to share the place with other people, and as well some smaller ones if you have to discuss something serious with your breakfast partner!

There is a difficult choice among 8 international yummy breakfast dishes:Muesli with yogurt and fruits, Spanish omelet, Greek omelet, Ham omelet, Continental, Continental vegetarian, Arabian breakfast (my favourite: with hummus, eggplant salad, stuffed vine leaves, feta cheese, olives and Syrian Bread), or an Italian breakfast.

Breakfast from is from 09:00 to 11:00 (self-service!)

Lunch from 11:30 to 14:30

The lunch menu is 5 euro and there is always a meat and a vegetarian dish, or you can choose from the “a la carte” menu which includes vegan and vegetarian dishes!

Check out their concerts, there is live music every night, many times with free entrance.

At 21:00 the party starts with concerts, student gatherings, cheap beer and good atmosphere. Food is served until 01:00 am, and Pizza even until 01:30!

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Der Tunnel | Art & culture, Bars, Music, Restaurants (Intern.) | Breakfast € 3.00
Florianigasse 39 | Inner districts | +4319475720
365 days from 09:00 to open end!

When I used to live in the 8th district the U.S.W. was my favorite pub. “u.s.w.” is the German shortcut for “and so forth” while “Beisl” is Austrian slang for pub. The bar is only a 200m walk from the university campus (check out the Altes AKH article). Usually I happened to be there on Sundays when there was free Chili Con Carne served with any drink as well as on Thursdays – table soccer’s for free.

Nowadays they serve differing meals every Sunday, still for free! The food is generally typical Austrian, like Nockerl or Spätzle – no, both can’t be translated because it only exists here (and right after the border). Okay I’ll try: it’s a little bit similar to gnocchi but the dough’s made of eggs and flour. We love to eat them fried with eggs (again) or cheese.

I very much like the mix of music played at the U.S.W. – mostly Alternative, Indie and Rock.

Their menu in April – in this order: Chili Con Carne, roasted dumplings witch egg, bell-pepper-flavored chicken with the above described Nockerl, Schweinsbraten [the Austrian classic] & last but not least Schinkenfleckerl [noodles with bacon au gratin].

“Mahlzeit!” [= what we say for 'Enjoy your meal!']

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U.S.W. Beisl | Bars, Music, Restaurants (Austrian) | Pint from € 2.30
Laudongasse 10 | Inner districts | +4369917151384
Sun – Thu 18:00 – 02:00, Fri – Sat 18:00 – 04:00

The WUK is an alternative space for culture and workshops, one of the biggest in Europe in the leftish/arty style. There you’ll find a cafe, restaurant, art rooms, concerts, workshops, even bike repairs, and more than anything a meeting point for everyone!

This space is in a former locomotive factory from the 19th century. It has a strong character and it is quite a unique place. Depending on the activities and on the weather, these can be organized in or outdoors, giving use to the wonderful courtyard. The outdoor space is fantastic. In the summer you can drink your coffee outside on the terrace or even have a full meal. Moreover there is wireless internet in the courtyard. The artistic atmosphere is very present with graffiti and paintings on some walls.

The list of events and activities organized there is quite extensive so the best way to be up to date is to check their website!

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WUK | Art & culture, Bars, Music
Währinger Straße 59 | Inner districts
08:00 – 02:00 daily

This cultural center, bar and restaurant is a hidden spot in the popular 7th district. Especially their green hidden inner court yard, which can be used all year long, is a rare place to find in the middle of the center. They serve from breakfast to dinner and cocktails , basically everything (every week a special-price cocktail offer).

Their Lunch menus are very popular as well. In busy lunch hours and evenings the service can be a bit slow, but is always very friendly!

The warm ambient inside and the cozy yard give space to colorful crowds from young to old, cultural interested people, intellectuals, students, activists and many more. The upper floor of the building is used for workshops (feminist, anti-racist, etc), exhibitions and other events.

*****

The surrounding area is called “Spittelberg” and great for having a walk through the narrow streets.

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Amerlingbeisl | Art & culture, Bars, Music, Restaurants (Austrian) | Main dish € 7.00
Stiftgasse 8 | Inner districts | +4315261660
09:00 – 02:00 daily

“By the way, the chair you are sitting on is for sale, oh and yes, the book, which you just grabbed from the bookshelf as well. Of course we sell the record you are listening to.” That’s the Phil, a colorful café-bar-bookshop-recordstore-interior shop-flea market and if you find something you can’t buy, then you are probably on the toilet, well actually I’m not even sure about that.

Actually the owner recently told us: “We don’t sell the toilet (except for the lamp maybe), we don’t sell the coffee machine because she’s from the 60s and something special, we don’t sell the clothes we’re wearing, and we don’t sell the artists (singers, writers, painters) when one of our from-time-to-time events takes place.”

Students, young families, artists and many more appreciate the easygoingness in the Phil. The furniture is mostly from the 70′s and as mentioned before, they can be bought. There is a large corner with books, Dvd’s, records and posters which you can browse and sniff through while having a drink, and if you like it, you bring it home.

The place is non-smoking and food looks and tastes healthy. Bring your laptop to take advantage of the free Wi-Fi and make sure to reserve a table if you plan to come in a larger group. It tends to get crowded in the evenings.

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Phil | Bars, Coffee & tea, Music, Shopping, Snacks
Gumpendorferstrasse 10 – 12 | Inner districts | +4315810489
Mon 17:00 – 01:00, Tue – Sun 09:00 – 01:00

The Sargfabrik is Vienna’s biggest self-governing community and cultural building. There are flats, a kindergarten, a concert hall, a café-bar-restaurant, meeting rooms and a “bath house” (sauna, swimming pool, wellness area-open in winter).

The café-bar-restaurant has recently re-opened with a new chef and offers culinary delights. The lunch menu for € 7.90 including dessert and coffee seems to be a good reason for visiting the place! (open Mon – Sat 10:00 – 22:00) There is a big choice of vegetarian food! On Monday and Tuesday evenings they have live music in the restaurant, donations to the artists are expected and table reservations recommended. Check the program on Restaurant/Acoustic Salon on their website.

Other concerts and cultural event, usually focusing on alternative and world music are listed here.

It is definitely worth a visit if you are interested in architecture and also in the project itself. That its name means “coffin factory” is not just a curiosity, it really used to be one!

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Sargfabrik | Art & culture, Music, Relaxing, Festivals & events
Goldschlagstraße 169/2 | Outer districts | +43198898121
Mon – Sat 10:00 – 22:00