Vienna is Austria’s largest and most vibrant city, home to around two million people—about a quarter of the country’s population. For years, it has consistently been ranked among the world’s best cities to live in, thanks to its excellent infrastructure, rich cultural scene, numerous festivals, and wide range of year-round activities. With public transport running all night on weekends and before public holidays, there’s always something happening in Vienna, day or night—you just need to know where to look.
Some may say Vienna is quiet in the evenings, and in many ways it is—but once you reach the locals’ favorite entertainment areas, especially on weekends, you’ll find plenty of lively and bustling nightlife spots.
Where to go out in Vienna in the evening?
There are 5 main entertainment areas, most of them quite central and some a little less so. If you’ve had enough of the center, you can try to experience the less touristy areas of the city and feel like a local. These are the most popular areas for evening entertainment in Vienna:
- The Bermuda Triangle – Schwedenplatz Area
- The Danube Canal
- The Museum Quarter Area
- The Gürtel (Belt Street)
- Danube Island
What can you do in each of Vienna’s popular entertainment areas?
Vienna’s entertainment areas are not limited to young people only, so there is no need to be afraid to go and join the celebrating crowd. In most areas, there are bars, pubs, and restaurants, so you can find a place with the style that suits you best. In this section, we will detail the popular entertainment areas of Vienna mentioned in the list above.
1. The Bermuda Triangle – Schwedenplatz
This entertainment area is located in the 1st district of Vienna, not far from the central cathedral and the heart of the city. At night (especially on weekends), the ancient streets and small alleys in the square area fill up with revelers who come to enjoy the bars, pubs, and small dance clubs. This area is called the Bermuda Triangle because it is very easy to get lost in the narrow streets, especially after a few glasses of beer. Read more information and recommendations on places to go out in the Bermuda Triangle area in the detailed article we have prepared on this area.
2. The Danube Canal
A short walk from Schwedenplatz, when you go down towards the water area, you will find an area of restaurants, bars, and clubs along the Danube Canal. In the area close to Schwedenplatz, you will find mainly restaurants and bars. The further north you go, the more clubs you will find scattered along the canal (they are not very close to each other). Read more information about the canal and the activities in this area during the day and at night.
3. The Museum Quarter Area
This area is located at the end of the Mariahilfer shopping street, and in the adjacent streets, there are many bars, pubs, and restaurants with a youthful atmosphere. In general, the district where it is located, the seventh district of Vienna, is considered hipster and very active in the evening and at night. You can go to the streets Neubaugasse, Burggasse, wander around the area, and choose something that seems suitable for you.
4. The Gürtel (Belt Street)
If you are looking for a more “Underground” area with a slightly more alternative and diverse scene, the Gürtel (Belt Street) area is worth a visit. Most of the bars and clubs in this area are located under the bridge on which the U6 “subway” line runs. There is a variety of bars, pubs, electronic music, alternative music, and also more “Mainstream” clubs. You can travel to the Thaliastrasse station and from there walk along the street. The entertainment venues are located between this station and the Nußdorferstrasse station.
5. Danube Island
During the summer, when the daylight hours are long (until 8:00 PM or 9:00 PM) and the temperatures are pleasant in the evening, there are a variety of entertainment venues on Danube Island with music and plenty of alcohol. You can get off at the Donauinsel station and wander around the area.
If you are looking for recommendations for specific places to go out, you can read more information in the articles we have prepared on the most recommended clubs in Vienna and also on luxury bars that are worth including in your Vienna itinerary.
