Top 10 Best Bars in Vienna (with a Free Bar Itinerary)

Last updated: November 2026

Vienna is known for coffee houses and classical music, but the best bars in Vienna are just as much a part of the city’s character: small, dark American bars from the early 20th century, vinyl-only listening rooms and glass-walled rooftops above the old town. The centre is compact, so you can move between very different rooms in one evening.

This guide covers ten bars across the Innere Stadt, Leopoldstadt, the MuseumsQuartier area and Karlsplatz, with a practical box for each. Further down you will find the drinks to look out for, a free printable 3-day Vienna bar itinerary, getting around, where to stay and how to plan a night out. The official Vienna tourist board is a good place to check events and listings.

Bars change hours, owners and concepts faster than restaurants, and many keep later hours at weekends. Where details were hard to confirm, this guide says “check before you go”. Visiting in winter? See our guide to the best Christmas markets in Europe to pair a mulled-wine evening with a cocktail one.

Quick answer: What are the best bars in Vienna? For history and architecture, start at Loos American Bar or Kruger’s American Bar. For creative cocktails, try Dino’s Apothecary Bar. For music, go to Needle Vinyl Bar. For views, choose Das Loft, Dachboden, the Sky Bar at Steffl or the Atmosphere Rooftop Bar, and add Café Kunsthalle am Karlsplatz for a relaxed drink outdoors.

Quick comparison: the best bars in Vienna

1. Loos American Bar

Loos American Bar is the most famous bar in Vienna, a tiny room designed by the architect Adolf Loos and opened in 1908. It sits at Kärntner Durchgang 10 in the first district, just off Kärntner Strasse, and measures only about 27 square metres. Mirrored walls make the space feel far bigger, while Honduran mahogany, Cipollino marble and onyx panelling give it a rich, dark glow.

The bar was one of Vienna’s first American bars, a style that took hold after Loos returned from the United States. Most visitors come for the room first and the cocktails second, and the drinks list leans on classics made carefully. Falstaff has listed it among the city’s top bars, though rankings change from year to year. One guide says it was in a global top 500 list in 2025, but we could not confirm a world’s 50 best ranking, so treat any such claim with care.

Because the room is so small, it fills quickly in the evening, and a short wait is common at weekends. Prices are higher than at an ordinary bar, which is fair given the setting. Hours differ between listings, so check before you go, and look at the bar’s own channels for any booking rules.

Go early in the evening if you want to enjoy the interior, and treat it as a first stop rather than a place to spend the whole night.

• How to get there: On foot from Stephansplatz, about three minutes along Kärntner Strasse.
• How long to spend: One hour.
• Best time to go: Early evening, before the crowd arrives.
• Tip: Order a classic cocktail and take time to look at the ceiling and mirrors.

2. Kruger’s American Bar

Kruger’s American Bar is the place for an old-style cocktail evening, with 1920s lamps and leather seating. It sits at Krugerstrasse 5, a short walk from the Opera, and is often described as one of the city’s longest-running cocktail bars. Lonely Planet describes a dimly lit, wood-panelled room with decor from the 1920s and 1930s.

The room has two long bars and Chesterfield-style leather seating. The cocktail list is very long, with more than 100 drinks listed in one guide, so it rewards a bit of browsing. Staff can steer you if you give them a spirit and a mood, and classics are a safe choice.

One listing says the bar is walk-in only, so arrive early on busy nights if you want a seat. Hours listed by third parties run from early evening to the small hours, with later closing at the end of the week. These listings can be out of date, so check before you go.

Prices are generally described as reasonable for the quality and the central location. It is a good choice if you want a proper sit-down cocktail without the formality or the crowds of the most famous name in town.

It pairs well with Loos American Bar, which is only a few minutes away, so the two make a natural pair of stops on the same night.

• How to get there: On foot from the State Opera or Stephansplatz, about five minutes.
• How long to spend: One to two hours.
• Best time to go: A weeknight, or early on a weekend evening.
• Tip: Ask for a recommendation by spirit rather than reading the whole list.

3. Dino’s Apothecary Bar

Dino’s Apothecary Bar is a pharmacy-themed cocktail room tucked away on Salzgries. It sits at Salzgries 19 in the Innere Stadt, in a converted backstreet space dressed as a 1920s chemist’s shop. Guides credit the drinks to a pharmacist-turned-mixologist, Heinz Kaiser, and describe a menu built around the idea of medicine and remedies.

Sources mention two signature drinks, an Umami Oyster Shot made with rum and a fresh oyster, and the Apothecary Smash. The concept is playful rather than stuffy, and the bartenders enjoy explaining the drinks. If you like cocktails with a story, this is a good pick.

Recent listings still use the name Dino’s Apothecary Bar at this address, though the room has had a refresh in recent years. Hours and prices vary by listing, with evening opening and a late close the norm, so check the bar’s own channels.

The setting is intimate, which makes it good for small groups and pairs. If you are visiting at the weekend, arrive early or book if the bar takes reservations.

Because it is in a quiet corner of the old town, it works well as a second or third stop after a more famous bar, or as a calm start to the evening before dinner.

• How to get there: On foot from Schwedenplatz or Stephansplatz, about five to ten minutes.
• How long to spend: One to two hours.
• Best time to go: A weeknight evening.
• Tip: Ask the bartender to explain the pharmacy theme before you order.

4. Needle Vinyl Bar

Needle Vinyl Bar is a record bar where the music, not a screen, sets the mood. It sits at Färbergasse 8 in the first district and is described as a vinyl-only bar with a large collection of second-hand records and a bar that runs into the early hours. Falstaff lists it in its recent bar recognition, and Lonely Planet lists it among the best nightlife spots in the historic centre.

The room is small and informal, and the soundtrack is chosen from the shelves. Cocktails and simple drinks are served, and the focus is on conversation and listening rather than dancing. If you like soul, jazz, funk or classic rock, it is a good place to spend an evening.

The appeal is the relaxed mood. It suits people who want to talk without shouting over a DJ, and it attracts a mixed crowd of locals and visitors. You can sit at the bar or find a corner table, and the staff are used to people asking about the records.

Listings usually give evening opening until about two in the morning, but weekend times and summer hours differ between sources, so check the bar’s own channels before you go. It is also worth checking whether the bar takes bookings on busy nights.

Treat it as a good last stop of the evening, when you want somewhere calm to finish with a final drink and some music.

• How to get there: On foot from Stephansplatz, about five minutes.
• How long to spend: One to two hours.
• Best time to go: Late evening.
• Tip: Ask the staff to recommend a record, and tell them what you like.

5. Das Loft

Das Loft is the rooftop bar to choose for a big view, high above the Danube Canal. It sits on the 18th floor of the SO/ Vienna hotel at Praterstrasse 1 in Leopoldstadt, and its glass walls give a panorama over the city, including a clear view of St Stephen’s Cathedral. One guide calls the hotel the Sofitel, but the venue’s own site and most listings say SO/ Vienna.

The bar serves signature cocktails and classics, and a restaurant sits alongside it. Listed hours run from late afternoon to the small hours, with later closing on Friday and Saturday. Guides describe a smart-casual crowd and a dress code of “dress to impress”, so leave the trainers and sportswear at the hotel.

Rooftop bars are most popular at sunset, so booking is strongly recommended if you want a table by the window. Prices are higher than at street-level bars, and you are paying for the view as much as for the drink. A single cocktail at the right time of day is often enough.

The location is a short walk from Schwedenplatz, so it is easy to combine with a stroll along the canal. Check the official Das Loft website for current opening times and booking.

If the weather is poor, the glazed room still gives a good view, which makes it a safer choice than an open terrace in autumn or winter.

• How to get there: On foot from Schwedenplatz, about five minutes, or by U-Bahn U1 or U4 to Schwedenplatz.
• How long to spend: One to two hours.
• Best time to go: An hour before sunset.
• Tip: Book a table by the window and dress smartly.

6. Dachboden

Dachboden is a relaxed rooftop lounge on top of the 25hours Hotel, close to the MuseumsQuartier. Sources describe a casual space with panoramic views, comfortable seating and a mood that shifts from lounge in the afternoon to DJ sets later at night. It is less formal than the big hotel rooftops, which makes it a good choice for a mixed group.

The terrace is described as first come, first served, and sunset queues build from around seven in the evening on busy days, while weeknight afternoons are calmer. That makes timing important. If you want a good seat, arrive in the afternoon and settle in, rather than turning up at peak time.

Hours conflict across listings. One shows weekday opening in the late afternoon and weekend opening from mid-afternoon, and another shows daily afternoon opening to around one in the morning. Check the 25hours Hotel website for current times and any weather closures.

The drinks list covers cocktails, wine and beer, and prices are mid-range for a rooftop. It is a good pick after a day at the MuseumsQuartier, with its museums and courtyards nearby.

Because it is an open-air space in part, it works best in warmer months, and it may close or change in bad weather, so check before you go.

• How to get there: On foot from the MuseumsQuartier, or by U-Bahn U2 or U3 to Volkstheater.
• How long to spend: One to two hours.
• Best time to go: A weeknight afternoon, or early evening for sunset.
• Tip: Arrive early to get a good seat before the sunset queue.

7. Sky Bar Steffl

The Sky Bar at the Steffl department store gives a rooftop view over the cathedral and the old town. It sits on the top floor of the building at Kärntner Strasse 19, and its position in the heart of the centre makes it easy to reach. Follow the signs to the lift in the store.

Vienna’s official tourism site lists the café and restaurant as open from the morning to midnight, from midday on Sundays and holidays, with the bar open later on Friday and Saturday evenings. Hours can change, so check before you go, particularly if you are planning an evening visit.

The drinks list covers cocktails, wine and snacks, and the main draw is the view over St Stephen’s Cathedral. It is a good place for a short stop during a day of shopping and sightseeing, or for an early evening drink before dinner.

Compared with the hotel rooftops, it feels less formal, and prices are mid-range to comfortable. It is also close to the other bars in the old town, so it fits easily into a walking route.

If the weather is clear, the view is the main reward, and it is a good spot for photographs. Keep in mind that it is a popular spot, so a short wait for a table is possible at sunset.

• How to get there: On foot from Stephansplatz, about two minutes along Kärntner Strasse.
• How long to spend: About an hour.
• Best time to go: Late afternoon or early evening on a clear day.
• Tip: Check the opening hours before you go up.

8. Atmosphere Rooftop Bar

Atmosphere Rooftop Bar is the hotel rooftop for champagne cocktails and a refined view. Guides place it on top of The Ritz-Carlton, Vienna, at Schubertring 5 to 7, on the edge of the old town and close to the Ringstrasse. Descriptions mention champagne cocktails, a selection of wines and a small snack menu.

The setting is smart and polished, as you would expect from a luxury hotel, and prices are at the top of this list. It suits a special occasion, a celebration or a quiet drink at the end of a day of sightseeing. Dress smartly, and expect to book at busy times.

The rooftop is seasonal. Vienna’s official tourism site lists it as open from spring to autumn, in good weather only, with longer evening hours in summer, and gives no regular opening for the winter months. Check the hotel’s own website or phone before you go.

The view looks over the Ringstrasse area and the roofs of the city, and the location is a short walk from the Stadtpark and the Opera. That makes it a good choice for an early evening drink before a concert or a dinner reservation.

If you want a rooftop without the formality, Dachboden is the more relaxed alternative on this list. If you want the highest view, choose Das Loft. Atmosphere sits in between, with a calm, upmarket mood.

• How to get there: On foot from the State Opera, about ten minutes, or by tram along the Ringstrasse.
• How long to spend: One to two hours.
• Best time to go: Early evening, before dinner.
• Tip: Check the season, the weather and the dress code before you go.

9. Café Kunsthalle am Karlsplatz

Café Kunsthalle am Karlsplatz is an informal café-bar beside the Karlsplatz, a relaxed alternative to the formal cocktail rooms. It sits at Treitlstrasse 2, next to the Kunsthalle Wien and close to the Naschmarkt, in the space that was formerly the Heuer am Karlsplatz. Reports say new operators took over the former Heuer and reopened it under this name in 2024, so older guides that still call it Heuer are out of date.

Local press describes a café with a sushi bar, a daily and weekly menu and a beer garden, so it works as a casual drink or a light bite rather than a cocktail evening. We could not confirm the current drinks list. Listed opening hours are long, running from the morning to midnight or later, but outdoor seating in Vienna follows the weather and may be limited in winter, so check before you go.

The location is the main reason to include it. Karlsplatz is a busy transport hub, with the Karlskirche, the Naschmarkt and the Musikverein all nearby, so it is easy to fit into a day of sightseeing. A drink here is a good way to end an afternoon at the market or a visit to the church.

Compared with the other bars on this list, it is more casual and usually cheaper, which makes it useful for a group that wants a simple drink without a dress code or a reservation. It is also a handy meeting point, since almost every U-Bahn line and several trams stop at Karlsplatz.

If you want a more established stop in the same area, combine it with the Naschmarkt earlier in the day.

• How to get there: U-Bahn U1, U2 or U4 to Karlsplatz, then a short walk.
• How long to spend: One hour.
• Best time to go: A warm early evening.
• Tip: Check opening status and outdoor seating before you travel.

10. Zum Schwarzen Kameel

The counter at Zum Schwarzen Kameel is the best place in Vienna to drink a glass of wine standing up among locals. The shop and restaurant at Bognergasse 5 trace their history to 1618, and its Art Nouveau interior and delicatessen counter are a good setting for an early evening drink. The counter serves wine by the glass alongside small open sandwiches, which is a classic Viennese way to begin an evening.

It is not a cocktail bar, and that is the point. If you have spent the evening in cocktail rooms, a glass of Austrian white wine such as Grüner Veltliner or a Gemischter Satz here makes a refreshing change. It is a good place to learn the local wines without a long wine list or a formal meal.

The venue’s own site lists the bar as open daily from the morning to midnight and says no reservations are needed there, while the restaurant keeps separate, shorter hours. Check the official Kameel website before you go.

Standing at the counter keeps costs lower than sitting in the restaurant, and the atmosphere is lively at lunchtime and early evening. It is easy to reach from the other old town bars on this list, so it works well as a first stop before a night of cocktails.

If you want a seat, ask whether the restaurant has space, and book ahead for dinner.

• How to get there: On foot from the Graben or the Hofburg, about five minutes.
• How long to spend: Forty-five minutes to an hour.
• Best time to go: Early evening, as a first stop.
• Tip: Ask for a glass of local white wine and a small open sandwich.

Drinks to look out for in Vienna

• Grüner Veltliner: Austria’s best-known white grape, dry and peppery, and a good match for most Viennese food.
• Gemischter Satz: A Vienna speciality, made from several grape varieties grown and harvested together.
• Sturm: Young, partly fermented grape juice, available in autumn and often sold at markets and taverns.
• Spritzer: White wine mixed with soda water, a light and popular choice, known locally as a G’spritzter.
• Austrian beer: Lagers and house-brewed beers are widely available, and many bars have local labels.
• Classic cocktails: The American bars in the old town are known for careful versions of Manhattans, Old Fashioneds and Martinis.

How Many Days Do You Need? A 3-Day Vienna Bar Itinerary

Three evenings give you time to enjoy the best bars in Vienna without rushing. The plan below groups bars by area, so you spend your evenings drinking rather than travelling. It is also available as a free printable PDF.

Day 1: American bars in the old town

Start with a glass of wine at the counter of Zum Schwarzen Kameel, then walk to Loos American Bar while it is still quiet. After dinner, move on to Kruger’s American Bar for a longer cocktail list. All three are within a few minutes of each other around Stephansplatz.

Day 2: Rooftops and views

Spend the late afternoon at the Sky Bar at Steffl for a cathedral view. Travel to Das Loft for sunset, and book a table by the window. If you want a calmer drink afterwards, walk along the Danube Canal towards Schwedenplatz.

Day 3: Music, cocktails and a relaxed finish

Start at Dachboden in the late afternoon, near the MuseumsQuartier. Later, walk to Dino’s Apothecary Bar for a creative cocktail, and finish at Needle Vinyl Bar for records and a last drink. If you want an outdoor drink earlier in the day, add Café Kunsthalle am Karlsplatz, and check the weather and opening status first.

Getting around Vienna

The historic centre is compact, and most bars on this list are within walking distance of Stephansplatz. Wear comfortable shoes, because Vienna’s streets are pleasant but you will be on your feet most of the evening.

The public transport system run by Wiener Linien is efficient. According to the official tourism site, the U-Bahn runs through the night on Friday and Saturday nights and before public holidays, and night buses cover other nights. Ticket products have changed recently, so check current options before you buy, and check the status of the newer U5 line before relying on it. A taxi or ride-hailing service is an easy option for late journeys.

How much does a night out in Vienna cost?

Vienna’s bars are not cheap, but you can control costs. Use these tiers as a guide:

• Cheap: A glass of wine at the Kameel counter, and a drink at Café Kunsthalle am Karlsplatz.
• Mid-range: Cocktails at Kruger’s American Bar, Dino’s Apothecary Bar and Needle Vinyl Bar, and a drink at Dachboden or the Sky Bar.
• Comfortable: Cocktails at Loos American Bar, Das Loft and the Atmosphere Rooftop Bar.

To keep costs down, choose one rooftop rather than three, drink wine by the glass and eat before you go out. Rooftop and hotel bars charge more for the view.

Where should you stay in Vienna?

• Innere Stadt: The best base for bar-hopping, with most bars on this list within walking distance, though it is the priciest area.
• Leopoldstadt: Close to Das Loft and the Danube Canal, with good transport links.
• MuseumsQuartier and Neubau: Lively and creative, close to Dachboden, with plenty of cafés and bars.
• Wieden and Karlsplatz: A good transport hub, close to the Naschmarkt and Café Kunsthalle.
• Landstrasse: Quieter, with easy links to the centre.

What should you know before a night out in Vienna?

• Booking: Book rooftop tables at sunset, and check whether the smaller cocktail bars take reservations.
• Dress code: Hotel rooftops such as Das Loft expect smart dress. Check before you go.
• Late nights: Many bars stay open into the early hours, but hours vary, so check before you go.
• Tipping: Tipping is customary in Austria. Rounding up or adding a modest percentage is normal, and you tell the server the total when you pay.
• Hours: Bars change opening times and concepts often. Check before you go.

Discover More of Central Europe

If Vienna is part of a longer trip, our guide to the best bars in Prague (with a free bar itinerary) covers another compact, walkable bar city a few hours away by train. Coming for the festive season? Read our guide to the best places to spend New Year’s Eve in Europe for how Vienna celebrates with the Silvesterpfad and the Kaiserball.

Featured image: Photo by Dietmar Rabich, CC BY-SA 4.0, cropped, via Wikimedia Commons