The English speaking magazine. Making the most out of Vienna and life.

Sofie’s summer bar tour 2014

Flex Café – summer bar tour 2014

THU–SAT: 7pm–1am
(plus occasional other days)

www.flex.at

Indoor/outdoor, free entry

Grungy and dirty. The underground atmosphere – that was discovered long ago – is the Flex. Flex Café is open all year, but in summer it attracts even more people. Their outdoor sea of black chewing-gum ridden bench seats and tables is the site of plenty of “vorglühen” (warm-up drinks), for some, until the time when Flex swallows you whole to party in the sweaty club inside – or you take the party elsewhere. (suggestion: Das Werk further up the canal is a good place to carry on). It’s not uncommon to find yourself walking home watching the sun set and listening to the birds chirping after an evening at this institution, Flex Café. Can’t resist this venue’s rebellious, trainspotting, I-haven’t-showered-for-weeks aura!

Summer drink of choice
Alcoholic: Beer – quite simply, this is a place to drink beer out of a plastic cup.
Non-alcoholic: We don’t recommend it but if you must – Red Bull fits the atmosphere. It will keep you awake while the people around you fall into a drunken stupor.

We like … that there’s no (!) curfew and that you can bring your own booze as long as you stay outside on the benches. Nobody will notice.

We recommend … not getting caught drinking your own booze.

 

Top Kino – summer bar tour 2014

Daily: 11am–11pm

www.topkino.at

indoor/outdoor, free entry

Have a drink after catching a movie. It’s an indie cinema, a bar, a restaurant and a café, all in one. And it has one of Vienna’s loveliest outdoor patios by an idyllic cobblestone street. Half outside, half inside – with ceiling to floor open windows and a comfy setup that invites you to spend the whole afternoon just reading a book and sipping your espresso. But we recommend visiting here for more sinister, intoxicating motives as well. Solid drinks, unobtrusive music mingling with street noise, and – most importantly – the warm summer breeze just passing through will convince you to stay.

Summer drink of choice
Alcoholic: sip on a spritzer
Non-Alcoholic: Home-made ice tea with mint

Atmosphere:  (relaxing and a something different)
Value for money:  (cheap prices, not the best quality/selection)
Drinks:
Service:
Spark: (patio!)

We like … the simple unpretentiousness of this place
We recommend … you to try that afternoon coffee/book session as well

 

Dachboden – summer bar tour 2014

MON–FRI: 5pm–1am
SAT–SUN: 3pm–1am

www.25hours-hotels.com

Indoor/outdoor, free entry

The mother of all hipster hotels has a mother of all view over the city from their rooftop bar. Once the bouncer at the door lets you in, up in the elevator you’ll go to the roof of the city where the 25 Hour Hotel Dachboden bar is situated. While it’s all overpriced here, like anything with the hipster image, the view and the atmosphere here is worth forking out the extra Euros. If you arrive early you can skip the wait in the line out front. Either way, Once in you will realise that it’s all about keeping up appearances anyway, as did we – the bar is filled with people, but not bursting. Order at the bar on your left and make your way out onto the balcony and try and grab a seat – another good reason to arrive here early. I almost choke on my vodka when I discovered the view for the first time. After our first time we know we’ll come back for more. Mainly for the looks, not for the inflated prices. This place is fucking attractive. Or is it us?

Summer drink of choice
Alcoholic: Moscow Mule or the Summer Bowle (summer punch)
Non-alcoholic: Get your Fritz Cola or your Mate’

Rating

We like… that there’s a burger cart serving up amazing burgers right downstairs
We recommend… you come early to avoid the wait and enjoy the sunset on the balcony

Das Moped – summer bar tour 2014

MON–THU: 5pm–1am
FRI&SAT: 5pm–2am
SUN: 5pm–12am

www.dasmoped.at

indoor/outdoor, free entry

Not too hip, not pseudo-posh either – Moped is an insider’s tip for those poor fuckers living in the 3rd district, desperate for nightlife options. It’s about the only place like this in the neighborhood. The interior is minimalist, but edgy. The menu offers everything needed for afterwork Spritzers or a long boozy night. And if you sink into too many rounds of their high grade liquor, they serve the perfect cure – a heartwarming Gulasch. In summer, Moped uses the parking space out front as a garden. It’s too bad it closes so early though. But you can’t change stupid laws, can you … or can you!

Summer Drink of choice
Alcoholic: A Queen Mom (G&T), a Riesling Federspiel or one of their mean Cuba Libres.
Non-alcoholic: Homemade MinzLimo (minty lemonade)

We like… their Schanigarten for their flowery decorations!
We recommend… you try that Gulasch!

 

Hafenkneipe – summer bar tour 2014

outdoor only, in case of rain: flee or drown
free entry

And here I have a true beauty for you: Hafenkneipe. At the far edges of the Donaukanal strip of bars next to Franzensbrücke, the small hut of this lovely “beach bar” transforms the spot under the shade of the canal walls into quite a dreamy place. It does resemble a small hut somewhere on a beach in Hawaii a little. But maybe I’m just dreaming. Must be the magical atmosphere it exudes, amplified by the water reflecting the surrounding streets, houses and city lights. Contagious. With the smell of Steckerlfisch (fish on a stick) grilling in the background and my favourite drink in hand, it’s easy to let go.

Summer drink of choice
Alcoholic: Mango Vodka
Non-alcoholic: Vietnamese coffee

We like … that it’s away from the main strip of bars along the canal
We recommend … to go there before sundown and watch the light play on the water’s surface.

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