13 cocktail bars, ranked and reviewed by our editors.
Vienna's historic inner city is home to the greatest concentration of cocktail bars. From world-famous institutions like Loos American Bar to intimate hidden bars tucked into centuries-old buildings, Innere Stadt is the beating heart of Vienna's cocktail scene.
This bohemian, artistic neighbourhood has become Vienna's upstart cocktail destination. Younger, trendier bars with lower prices and creative menus have made Neubau the place for early-career bartenders and adventurous drinkers. A strong natural wine scene complements the cocktail culture.
Vienna's shopping and cultural district also has several excellent bars worth visiting. The neighbourhood bars here serve locals well and attract curious visitors willing to venture beyond Innere Stadt. Quality is consistent and prices are reasonable.
Just south of Innere Stadt, Wieden is a mixed residential and cultural district. Its cocktail bar scene is smaller but distinctive, with excellent French-influenced bars like Le Trousseau that reflect the district's Parisian-leaning character.
Vienna's second-oldest district is experiencing a renaissance as an up-and-coming neighbourhood. Mochi Bar is leading the way with innovative fusion cocktails and an excellent sake program. More bars are sure to follow as the neighbourhood develops.
Vienna's cocktail bars reflect the city's contradictions: deeply traditional yet increasingly experimental, elegantly formal yet warmly convivial. The best bars honour the craft while embracing innovation.
Great cocktail bars in Vienna tend to share several characteristics. They invest in quality spirits and ingredients—Viennese bartenders take their source materials seriously. They employ bartenders who've trained elsewhere, often having studied in London, Berlin, or New York before returning home. They understand that hospitality matters as much as technique.
The city's best bars also reflect Vienna's eclectic character. You'll find meticulously historical bars obsessed with authenticity alongside experimental bars playing with Japanese techniques or natural wine. Both approaches thrive here because Viennese drinkers appreciate quality in any form.
Vienna's oldest bars—like Loos American Bar, opened in 1908—set the standard. The city values history and craftsmanship in equal measure.
More bars are incorporating Austrian spirits and local herbs into their menus. This terroir-focused approach is gaining momentum.
Natural wine bars and natural wine programs within cocktail bars are reshaping Vienna's bar scene. The city has embraced this trend enthusiastically.
Vienna's late-night culture means cocktail bars thrive. The city drinks late, and bars that open at midnight find eager crowds.
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