The best pubs in Vienna come in a good variety, with many beer halls and gardens dotting the city. Whether up the wide boulevards or down winding cobbled alleys, you’re rarely going to be far away from a refreshing drink in the Austrian capital.

There are typical Viennese beer halls with wooden tables and dark corners, and plenty of beer gardens grace the famous courtyards in the summer. You’ll find sports bars and music halls set within the European architecture of Vienna, all bringing you that Viennese charm. Check out our pick of the best.

  • 1

    Zwölf Apostelkeller

    Step back in time to an ancient cellar tavern

    Zwölf Apostelkeller
    • Food
    • History
    • Nightlife

    Zwölf Apostelkeller (Cellar of the 12 Apostles) is an ancient pub in a cellar hidden just off Fleischmarkt. The building itself dates back to at least 1339, and it’s retained all the charm of a traditional medieval tavern.

    The tables are wooden, ancient relics adorn the walls, and there’s always traditional music to set the perfect ambience. The menu is full of traditional Viennese food, and the specialty dish is the Wienerschnitzel, which is huge. Wine is the pride of the beverages menu, but there are plenty of bottled beers to choose from too.

    Location: Sonnenfelsgasse 3, 1010 Vienna, Austria

    Open: Daily from 11 am to midnight

    Phone: +43 (0)1 5126777

    Map

    photo by Mstyslav Chernov (CC BY-SA 3.0) modified

  • 2

    Loos American Bar

    American Manhattans and Martinis

    Loos American Bar
    • Group
    • Luxury
    • Nightlife

    Loos American Bar is an iconic American-style cocktail bar designed by celebrated Austrian architect Adolf Loos. Found just down a side street off Kärntner Strasse, the Art Deco interior shouldn’t be missed, with an intricate design made of onyx, marble and coral wood.

    The cocktails are just as impressive, with a massive menu that has just about any cocktail you can think of. The architect’s favorite drink, Adolf Loos Fine Injected, is worth a try to suit the occasion. It’s a refreshing champagne-based cocktail with mint and strawberries. Book ahead if you want a seat inside – it’s small and cozy. Otherwise, there’s more room outside.

    Location: Kärntner Durchgang 10, 1010 Vienna, Austria

    Open: Daily from noon to 4 am

    Phone: +43 (0)1 5123283

    Map

    photo by Thomas Ledl (CC BY-SA 4.0) modified

  • 3

    7 Stern Bräu

    Locally brewed European-style beers

    7 Stern Bräu
    • Food
    • Group
    • Nightlife

    7 Stern Bräu is a traditional Austrian beer hall in Vienna that serves a range of ales from its own brewery. You’ll also find some classic Viennese pub grub alongside. It's easily found – just get a streetcar to Siebensterngasse station and walk toward the Hofburg. It's about 150 meters down on the right.

    The beers on tap here are some of Vienna’s finest, and the brewery does all sorts including German pilsners, Prague-style dark beers and a load of its own. There are some interesting ones to try out like a chili beer, which does have a kick. Make sure to check the seasonal special, too – they rotate these every couple of months.

    Location: Siebensterngasse 19, 1070 Vienna, Austria

    Open: Monday–Saturday from 11 am to 11 pm, Sunday from 11 am to 10 pm

    Phone: +43 (0)1 5238697

    Map
  • 4

    Fischer Bräu

    A local brewpub with a beer garden

    Fischer Bräu
    • Food
    • Group
    • Nightlife

    Fischer Bräu is one of the best pubs in Vienna for drinking in an outdoor setting, with a big beer garden in a classic Viennese courtyard. Located on Billrothstrasse, just down from the Hardtgasse streetcar stop, it’s toward the suburbs and has a lovely relaxing atmosphere.

    The Fischerbräu suits the cool garden setting wonderfully. It's a light and refreshing beer brewed by the pub themselves. There's a range of craft beers and wine on offer too, and the inside is a great cozy setting for a hearty pub meal.

    Location: Billrothstrasse 17, 1190 Vienna, Austria

    Open: Daily from 4 pm to midnight

    Phone: +43 (0)1 3695949

    Map
  • 5

    Needle Vinyl Bar

    Vinyl records and beverages in Old Vienna

    Needle Vinyl Bar
    • Food
    • Nightlife

    The Needle Vinyl Bar is a great place for music lovers, where the only tunes played are from their impressive vinyl collection. Nestled down a side street in the Inner City, just off Wipplingerstrasse, it brings you something different whether you’re after an afternoon tipple or a stylish way to finish the night off.

    The vinyls bring a real atmosphere to the bar, with tunes being chosen by people who have a passion for their music. It brings a real international vibe while at the same time retaining the Viennese class when it comes to music, and of course beverages. The menu caters to all tastes, from beers and wines to fine cocktails to accompany those tunes.

    Location: Färbergasse 8, 1010 Vienna, Austria

    Open: Monday–Friday from 11 am to 1 am, Saturday–Sunday from 2 pm to 1 am

    Phone: +43 (0)660 5352325

    Map
  • 6

    Gosser Bierklinik

    Ales in one of Vienna’s oldest inns

    Gosser Bierklinik
    • Food
    • History
    • Nightlife

    The Gösser Bierklinik lays its first claim to fame as the oldest restaurant in Vienna, but it's also one of the oldest inns, open since 1566. It's right in the center of the city, down the winding alleys of Steindlgasse. True to the name, you’ll find a great selection of beers here.

    Gösser Bier is the main beer here of course, with the pub being owned by the brewery itself. The Gösser Spezial is excellent, draughted to perfection with so many years of practice. There’s a great selection of other ales on offer too, together with a couple of ciders.

    Location: Steindlgasse 4, 1010 Vienna, Austria

    Open: Tuesday–Thursday from 5 pm to 10 pm, Friday–Saturday from 5 pm to midnight (closed on Sundays and Mondays)

    Phone: +43 (0)1 53375980

    Map

    photo by Bwag (CC BY-SA 4.0) modified

  • 7

    Salm Bräu

    Beers brewed onsite in an old monastery

    Salm Bräu
    • Food
    • Group
    • Nightlife

    Salm Bräu is a brewpub and distillery set in an old monastery, giving a rustic feel to the long beer hall. It's found at the north end of Belvederegarten, just outside of Old Vienna, and you can walk there easily from the Rennweg transit stop.

    The brewpub is over 450 years old. And Salm Bräu is Europe's longest-running manufacturer of brewing equipment, so you know you're getting quality. There are 5 different brews here, from Helles to Weizen, and it’s a real experience taking a seat at wooden tables while the staff serve you in traditional Austrian dress. This place is also known by locals for its ribs too, which are well worth a try.

    Location: Rennweg 8, 1030 Vienna, Austria

    Open: Daily from 11 am to 11 pm

    Phone: +43 (0)1 7995992

    Map

    photo by frank wouters (CC BY 2.0) modified

  • 8

    Das Augustin

    Light bites and affordable beers

    Das Augustin
    • Budget
    • Food
    • Group
    • Nightlife

    Das Augustin is a chilled pub and restaurant in Vienna where you can stop for some affordable yet delicious Austrian food and a drink. It sits on the corner of Märzstrasse and Selzergasse, just a minute's walk from Johnstrasse subway station.

    Das Augustin has a great food menu and caters for meat-eaters, vegetarians and vegans alike. There are schnitzels, burgers and strudels, with non-meat options available for each. You’ll find a good range of cocktails and beers on offer. One of the best things about Das Augustin, however, is the cats. We couldn’t work out whether they owned the place or were just there to keep you company.

    Location: Märzstraße 67, 1150 Vienna, Austria

    Open: Monday–Tuesday from 5 pm to 11 pm, Wednesday–Friday from 5 pm to midnight, Saturday 9 am to midnight, Sunday from 9 am to 11 pm

    Phone: +43 (0)1 9821364

    Map
  • 9

    Reinthaler's Beisl

    A traditional Viennese inn

    Reinthaler's Beisl
    • Food
    • Group
    • Nightlife

    Reinthaler's Beisl is an old-time Austrian pub down Dorotheergasse, just behind St Stephen’s cathedral. Previously a restaurant, the owners moved the restaurant to another building to keep the cozy inn atmosphere you get here.

    Reinthaler's is a classic pub, where the food is hearty and the beer runs freely. You’ll find beer from a few different local breweries in the area, but the most common is Gösser, both draught and by the bottle. Although the main restaurant has moved, you’ll still find some Austrian pub food here, with the boiled beef broth being a specialty.

    Location: Dorotheergasse 2-4, 1010 Vienna, Austria

    Open: Daily from 11 am to 11 pm

    Phone: +43 (0)1 5131249

    Map
  • 10

    Champions Sports Bar & Restaurant

    Beer and sports feeds in Vienna’s Inner District

    Champions Sports Bar & Restaurant
    • Food
    • Group
    • Nightlife

    Champions Sports Bar & Restaurant is an American-style sports bar in the heart of Vienna and a great place to watch sports during your trip. It's easily one of Vienna's best sports pubs and is found in the Marriott Hotel on Parkring, opposite Stadtpark.

    Champions has everything you could ask for in a sports bar, with over 20 4K screens showing soccer, American soccer, ice hockey, motorsports, and any big sporting event that’s on. There are plenty of beverages available, and all your favorite bar meals like burgers, hot dogs, and BBQ platters. In the summer months, you can take a seat outside, which is a great way to soak up the atmosphere after a big game.

    Location: Marriott Hotel, Parkring 12A, 1010 Vienna, Austria

    Open: Monday–Friday from 4 pm to midnight, Saturday–Sunday from 1 pm to midnight

    Map
John Frodsham | Contributing Writer