Do you consider yourself a vintage fashionista? Do you also feel the need of conserving the charm of old times by spicing up your outfit with bowler hats and patterned bow ties? Or maybe you’re looking for some super authentic 60′s sunglasses? Then I’m telling you, this is the place to go.

Freistil has always impressed its customers with its widely spread collection of habiliments, old fashioned accessories and souvenirs, both fancy and student budget suitable ones. For those that are excitedly preparing for either going to a classic Viennese ball or want to be top-styled for an elegant opera, visiting this shop offers some real treasures.

Aside from topper hats, flannel vests to colorful umbrellas and oddities such as walking sticks and mustache brushes I’m sure you won’t have any trouble finding items you never wished for but need to buy right now.

Of course, in case you’re searching for something special or just need some stylistic advice, there’s always the possibility to ask the nice shop owner who will be happy to provide you with some guidance through the shop and all the background information on the articles there are to share.

But be aware of not losing track of time while exploring!

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.

In search for fresh vegetables, slow instead of fast food and a colourful market amidst nice old buildings? Then this is the right place to visit! In comparison to the famous Naschmarkt (check the Naschmarkt article), the Karmelitermarkt is much smaller and has a less exotic variety of fruits and vegetables, but here you will find the local people of the second district go shopping.

Especially on a sunny Saturday it’s very lively and after or before getting your bags filled, why not enjoy a coffee or a decent meal. Some of the small market stalls consist of just one or two rooms which function now as a restaurant or café like Marktachterl or like Madiani, a great place for Georgian food.

On a Saturday morning you can find a lot of food and herbs from organic farms of the nearby region on the Karmelitermarket but the earlier you come the better – though the official opening times are till afternoon. In the surrounding streets there are even more food stores or snack bars like Wulfisch or nice small shops like Kabine.

The history of this very old market and the district itself is quite interesting: apart from the Nazi-time the Karmeliterquarter had always been a multi-ethnic place with a huge jewish community. Nowadays you find shops for kosher food beside Turkish or Serbian stores and Georgian restaurants.

It’s simple, it’s true, it’s crystal clear: if you are a true admirer of good Austrian wine, there is hardly any other such extraordinary shop to buy wine than here! This is no place for posh wine shopping, there are no detached, presumed experts, but an owner who loves to sell great wine from just one region:

The Weinviertel (literally: wine district. a beautiful area north of Vienna, close to the Czech republic)

Prices are as favourable as if you buy the stuff straight from the winemaker at the vineyard!

Some nice, no-frills atmosphere with a funky outdoor area, an unusual indoor area for wine tasting and a great selection of wine from superb wine growers like Prechtl,Ebner-Ebenauer, Seher to name but a few. Not to forget the great liquor-range!

If you need to sober up a little: try some very tasty, simple food in the bar shabu next door round the corner (same owner) – or be tempted to stay a little longer in this urban wine bar. But be aware and smooth: this smoky, cosy bar with interior showing wear and tear, is really a place for regulars of that neighbourhood (like me). So you better not ask for french fries or spanish wine. But you may be surprised about the good beer and wine, some yum yum cheese bred, the nice music and the mixed crowd who tends to stay out late.