Vienna has perfected the art of hospitality for centuries and today’s bar scene no exception. From landmark cocktail bars to glamorous rooftop lounges, Vienna has no shortage of wonderful places to go for a drink. Whether you like to savor a martini in a former historic bank or enjoy a refreshing Viennese Spritz with a view of St. Stephen’s Cathedral, here are some of the city’s finest bars, where you’ll find great cocktails, Austrian wine, a view, a vibe and even some history.
Vienna’s New Rooftop Escape
Vienna’s new year-round rooftop bar serves cocktails, wines and non-alcoholic drinks along with sweeping views of nearby St. Stephen’s Cathedral. The beverage menu at Lamée Rooftop Bar leans creative, with standouts like the Nut Old Fashioned, made with peanut butter-washed Monkey Shoulder whiskey or the Spirit of Chocolate—a warm, velvety cocktail blending Mozart Chocolate Liqueur, Metaxa Orange and grated chocolate for a smooth, boozy dessert in a glass.
The food here is just as impressive—no surprise, given that the owners of Lamée Rooftop Bar also run Ma Belle, one of the city’s top French restaurants. Try the pumpkin soup or the Krautfleckerl—Austria’s answer to mac and cheese, where the cheddar in the American version is replaced by sweet and savory cabbage.
Newest Cocktail Hot-Spot
The latest and most hotly anticipated addition to Vienna’s bar scene recently opened its doors: Kleinod Am Ring merges restaurant, bar and nightclub in one location—allowing guests to drink, dine and dance without ever leaving the premises.
Begin your evening with dinner on the ground floor, where the shared plates menu complements the signature cocktails. Try the Solero, a refreshing combination of vodka, passion fruit and smooth buttermilk, or a Tutto Bene with Amaretto, Grapefruit, Cardamom and homemade sour mix. Later, the nightclub downstairs invites you to mingle with friends in one of the cozy round velvet booths or dance the night away to the DJ’s tunes.
This is the fourth outpost within the Kleinod brand, the first and original Kleinod is a small bar on Singerstraße: elegant, intimate and always buzzing. Grab a seat at the bar next to the regulars and watch the expert bartenders craft classics with a twist or mix something up based on your mood. The Clover Club (my personal go-to cocktail) is excellent here, with gin, lime and raspberry.
You can also ask for mini versions of cocktails: Espresso Martinis, Gin Basil Smashes or Porn Star Martinis served in shot glasses—a fun option, especially with a group of friends.
Vienna’s Go-To Bar for Serious Cocktails
If you’re after true masters of the craft, Josef’s is where you want to be. Order a flawlessly foamy Silver Gin Fizz—gin, lemon and egg white shaken to perfection and topped with soda—or let the bartenders surprise you with a creation inspired by your favorite scents and flavors.
Tucked in Vienna’s historic old town, Josef’s is a go-to for locals in the know and a favorite late-night spot for the city’s fellow top bartenders after their shifts. The intimate space, with vaulted brick ceilings and rich palette of deep green, gold and black sets the stage for the seriously surprising cocktail artistry.
Best Bar That’s Always Buzzing
There’s a reason this cocktail bar is one of the most popular in the city. Illuminated onyx marble table tops, shiny brass, dark wood, and leather create a cozy, seductive atmosphere. The bartenders are cocktail geniuses and the service is attentive, knowledgeable and fast across both floors: downstairs, the vibe is buzzy and casual for walk-ins, while the more intimate first floor—up a flight of stairs behind the main bar—is by reservation only.
A customer favorite at Prunkstück is Lavalampe, a red and white cocktail served in a shot glass with Spanish Licor 43, homemade strawberry purée and a dash of whipped cream, garnished with freshly ground pepper.
Vienna’s Day Drinking Destination
This Viennese grande dame is the place to see and be seen. The restaurant and bar date back to 1618, when Johan Baptist Cameel founded Zum Schwarzen Kameel (‘At the Black Camel’ is a play on his name). In the 19th century, Beethoven was among the notable patrons and today, Kameel remains a magnet for Vienna’s cultural elite—and those eager to rub shoulders with them.
The Art Nouveau-paneled dining room and bar area are perfect spots to enjoy an aperitif following an afternoon of shopping in the surrounding UNESCO-listed golden district.
Kameel’s cocktail menu is firmly traditionalist, offering up spritzes, Negronis, and highballs. The Austrian wine list is extensive, try some of the most famous indigenous whites like Grüner Veltliner and the Viennese specialty Gemischter Satz.
Enjoy your beverage casually on the terrace outside or at one of the counters inside alongside a classic Viennese miniature sandwich. Or opt for a sit-down dining experience to enjoy your glass of Austrian white with an excellent Schnitzel.
Gold, Glamour and Gin in a Historic Bank
Park Hyatt Vienna’s Bank Bar occupies the former headquarters of the Austro-Hungarian Monarchy Bank, a more than 100-year-old, UNESCO-listed landmark. Restoring it was no small feat: 600 workers, 200 artisans, and 20 professional conservationists spent years bringing it back to life.
Today, you can soak up the gorgeous turn-of-the-century vibes with a beverage in hand, surrounded by ivory marble columns and beautiful Art Nouveau lighting while gazing up at Wilhelminian-era ceiling murals uncovered during the renovation.
The bar’s signature cocktail menu leans into the building’s heritage, presenting drinks as a “portfolio” of assets. Choose your investment: ‘Gold‘ blends Clase Azul tequila with jalapeño and passion fruit, while ‘Liquid Tech‘ pairs bourbon with coffee distillate and red vermouth. If you take my recommendation (and personal favorite), go for the Clover Club—a mix of bright, juicy lemon and fresh raspberries, all lifted by the crisp botanical fragrances of gin.
For a final touch of history, head downstairs to the hotel’s spa, set inside the former bank vault, where the original three-ton door remains an impressive relic of the past.