Nightlife in Vienna - The best clubs in the city

Are you ready to discover Vienna's vibrant nightlife? The metropolis on the Danube offers countless opportunities to turn night into day, lose yourself on the dance floor and experience unforgettable hours. Vienna combines historical charm and modern joie de vivre in a unique way: in addition to impressive buildings and classical culture, there is a young, dynamic club and bar scene that leaves nothing to be desired. From techno and jazz to indie rock - there is a suitable venue for every musical taste. Especially in the Inner City and along the Ring, the heart of Vienna, you will find the highest density of bars and clubs, which you can easily explore on foot.

The Prater, with its famous attractions, is also home to some of the city's best-known and largest clubs. For lovers of alternative venues, the city railway arches between the Thaliastraße and Michelbeuern - AKH underground stations are an insider tip. Intimate bars, stages for local music acts and rousing DJ sets dominate the scene here.

In the summer months, the Danube Canal around Schwedenplatz becomes a centre of attraction for night owls. Relaxed bars and a laid-back atmosphere invite you to end the evening in the open air. Experience Vienna's varied and exciting nightlife - and turn your stay into an unforgettable experience with our tips.

Flex, a fixture on the Viennese club scene since the 1990s, is located on the banks of the Danube Canal near the Schottenring. On Friday and Saturday nights, it attracts visitors with hip parties where DJs and collectives from the techno, drum and bass and dub genres provide rousing beats. Despite its popularity, Flex has retained its authentic underground charm and remains a cheaper and less strict alternative to other city centre clubs.

Concerts by smaller national and international acts take place regularly during the week and at weekends, covering a wide range of musical genres and ensuring a varied programme. In the adjoining Flex Café, a cosy retreat with sofas, there is an additional bar and, at some events, a second dance floor. In summer, a terrace with a view of the Danube Canal invites you to relax outdoors.

Although Flex used to be known as a meeting place for drug dealing and consumption, the situation has improved considerably in recent years, making the club even more inviting. The combination of music, relaxed ambience and urban flair makes Flex a must for night owls who want to experience Viennese nightlife in its authentic form.

The Loft

‘The Loft is a relaxed, down-to-earth club for people who want to avoid formalities when going out. There is no dress code here and the prices remain fair. The club on the Gürtel offers a varied mix of events, with a popular 90s and 2000s party on Saturdays - except in summer.

During the week, university parties, poetry slams, live podcasts, concerts and open mic nights attract a diverse audience. With up to three floors, there is enough space to party in a relaxed atmosphere.

Awareness is an important part of the loft. A trained team ensures that all guests feel respectful and safe. Anyone visiting the club should familiarise themselves with the values and concept that make up the unique atmosphere. Here, openness, diversity and respectful interaction take centre stage.

Behind an inconspicuous door in an inconspicuous alley is one of Vienna's most interesting bars. DonauTechno is a bar with a dance floor, where DJs play techno, minimal and other electronic music both during the week and at weekends. The walls are illuminated with different light installations every evening. So the bar looks different every day. The colourful and unique interior design also includes an indoor sausage stand at the weekend, where you can of course also eat.

Stadtbahnbögen at the Gürtel

If you prefer a cosy and quaint atmosphere and prefer bars with live music, you should take a walk along the Stadtbahnbögen on the Gürtel. Between the Josefstädterstraße and Thaliastraße underground stations in particular, there are numerous inviting bars with fair prices.

A real classic in the Stadtbahnbögen is the ‘Chelsea’. Concerts by international and national artists from all musical genres take place here several times a week. At the weekend, DJs play indie, rock, alternative or 80s hits, and football matches are also broadcast. The Chelsea is also ideal for a relaxed evening of drinking, chatting and cosy get-togethers.

The Kramladen, Rhiz, Loop and Café Carina offer just as much live music of various genres. These bars offer a varied and diverse programme - from international rock bands and local jazz musicians to young pop singers, jam sessions and open mic nights. There is always something going on in these venues. Even those who are less interested in music can enjoy the cosy atmosphere here with a beer or a spritzer.

Cabaret Fledermaus is a venue with an impressive history stretching back over a hundred years. Originally known as a cabaret stage for cabaret artists, it was transformed into a discotheque in the 1990s and has retained its appeal to this day. Particularly noteworthy is the unmistakable selection of music, which focuses on hits and classics from past decades. Clubbing is organised on various evenings with changing music themes, ranging from the 50s to the 90s. This variety appeals to a young-at-heart audience as well as younger guests who appreciate the nostalgic atmosphere.

With the exception of Tuesdays, there is something going on every night at Cabaret Fledermaus, and entry is often free in the early evening hours between 21:00 and 22:00, making it an attractive option for a spontaneous evening out. The charming interior and varied programme invite you to conquer the dance floor or simply enjoy the atmosphere.

Camera Club

With its central location in Vienna's Neubaugasse, two floors and great music, the Camera Club has been a guarantee for unforgettable evenings for decades. Founded back in the 1970s, the club has continuously evolved and is now a hotspot for modern clubbing and events. The programme selection is always in tune with the times and inspires with themed evenings such as Taylor Swift Night, K-Pop, Pop Girlies or Brat Night. Here, people sing and dance to the latest hits and pop classics.

The Camera Club also offers a platform for queer events as well as Latin and techno events, which makes for an impressive musical diversity. Although the focus of the programme is on pop, there are regular evenings that put the spotlight on other musical genres. The simple, unobtrusive interior design puts the focus entirely on the music and the exuberant atmosphere, allowing the club to maintain an authentic and relaxed atmosphere.

Porgy & Bess is no ordinary nightclub, but a renowned jazz and music club that ranks among the best in Europe. Every evening, both national and international musicians perform on stage, offering a varied programme that delights a broad and diverse audience. The musical selection ranges from jazz to singer-songwriters, soul and world music to electronic sounds - there are no limits to the genres represented at Porgy & Bess.

Not only the music, but also the ambience of the club is impressive. The Porgy & Bess is reminiscent of a small theatre with its furnishings and stylish red colour scheme. The excellent acoustics, which are essential for a jazz club and make the musical experience even more intense, deserve special mention. Anyone who spends an evening here will not only be enchanted by the first-class music, but also by the club's unique atmosphere.

The Why Not is Vienna's oldest gay club and looks back on a long history, having been in existence since 1980. Nevertheless, the club has lost none of its modern energy. On Fridays and Saturdays, the LGBTQ+ community gathers here on three floors to party, dance and experience unforgettable nights. The musical selection varies depending on the event and party theme - from 90s hits to Latin beats and chart music, there is everything a party heart desires.

The Why Not is not just a club for gay men, but welcomes everyone who enjoys an open and inclusive atmosphere, and women are also very welcome here.

If you long for the beach in Vienna in summer, head to Strandbar Herrmann. Here on the Danube Canal, you can relax in deckchairs with cocktails and snacks and put your feet in the sand. On some evenings there are live DJs, on others there is simply relaxed lounge music and sometimes there are silent discos. Strandbar Herrmann is a place to relax with a drink after work in the evening, but also to enjoy a cocktail with friends at the weekend as the sun goes down and then dance the night away.