Vienna nightlife

Where to go out

Nightlife tips

• The U-Bahn runs all night on Friday and Saturday nights; night buses cover other nights.
• Opera, concerts and theatre are part of a night out; many people go for drinks afterwards.
• Smoking is banned in bars and restaurants, so terraces are busy year-round.

Evening sights

Museum · Neubau

MuseumsQuartier and Leopold Museum

Even without a ticket, the courtyard is a free and lively place for a drink in the warmer months.

Time needed

2–3 hours

Cost

Mid-priced

• Art
• Rainy day
• After dark

Theme park · Leopoldstadt

Prater and the Giant Ferris Wheel

Ride the Riesenrad just before sunset, then walk or cycle along the Hauptallee.

Time needed

2–3 hours

Cost

Low cost

• Kids
• Iconic
• Couples
• Views
• After dark

Architecture · Innere Stadt

Vienna State Opera

Check the official site for how standing-room tickets are sold for your date, and dress smart-casual for evening performances.

Time needed

1 hour tour; 3 hours for a performance

Cost

Mid-priced

• Iconic
• After dark
• Couples
• Architecture

What to drink

• Wiener Melange — Vienna's signature coffee: espresso with steamed milk and milk foam, served on a silver tray with a glass of water. Coffee houses also serve the Einspänner (black coffee topped with whipped cream) and the Verlängerter.
• Wiener Gemischter Satz — Vienna's own white wine, a field blend of several grape varieties grown and harvested together in the city's vineyards. Grüner Veltliner, Austria's signature grape, is also everywhere.
• Punsch and mulled wine — Hot fruit punch spiked with rum and mulled red wine, served in collectible mugs that you return for a deposit or keep as a souvenir.

Evenings through the year

Sunset and the overnight low decide how long the outdoor part of a night lasts. July has the warmest evenings, with lows around 16°C (61°F).

Getting home late

• Metro — Tickets must be validated before travel if not bought for a specific time; inspectors fine passengers without valid tickets.
• Tram — Trams run around the Ringstrasse and out to the suburbs; line D runs to Nussdorf for the heurigen and line 71 to the Central Cemetery.
• Bus — Buses fill gaps in the network, including bus 38A from Heiligenstadt to Grinzing and Kahlenberg, and night buses run when the U-Bahn closes on weeknights.
• Walking — The Innere Stadt is small and largely pedestrianised; walking from St Stephen's to the Hofburg, Opera or MuseumsQuartier takes 10–15 minutes.
• Taxi — Taxis and ride-hailing apps are widely available, but public transport is usually as fast within the city.

Late-night bites

• Käsekrainer — Würstelstände across the city, including stands near the Albertina and at major U-Bahn stations.
• Liptauer — Heurigen and traditional wine taverns, where you choose from a cold buffet.

Staying safe at night

Vienna is generally calm and orderly. Watch for pickpockets around Stephansplatz, on busy U-Bahn lines and at the Christmas markets, and take care around Praterstern and Karlsplatz stations at night.

Emergency number

112 (European emergency number)

Where to stay for nightlife

Questions travellers ask