Vienna, downtempo waltz
Can there really be club scene in the city that was won the « best place to live » in the world? Even though Vienna is on top of the charts for quality of life matters, it has not the reputation of a city where to party. However, just like any other Germanic city, Vienna has a very active underground scene, lead by the downtempo heros, Kruder & Dorfmeister.
As for clubs, it all started with Flex, which opened his doors in the late 90’s on the shore of the Danube river. It’s still there, but it has lost its aura. These last few years, Partersauna emerged with epic after hours, a lousy sound system, its disgusting dance floor and its impressive water facilities: a sauna, and two pools, outdoors and indoors. As everything comes to an end, it closed at the beginning of 2016, killed by its own success and abandoned by a bored crowd of drunk 18 year-olds. A new owner just took over, meaning to create a “beach bar”, but the spirit is gone. Everyone is rather sad, but the scene is far from being dead and buried : Vienna is full of clubs. Grelle Forelle, Camera, Auslage, Sass, Fluc, Donau, Flex… Make no mistake, though. Austrians are cool and very open minded, but rather cold. 
Drugs and alcohol
Vienna is pretty clean and Austrians follow the rules, but nothing keeps you from having a beer in a park or on the streets. Drugs are easily found in clubs, especially ecstasy and speed during after hours.
3 clubs, 3 atmospheres
- Grelle Forelle: Since Pratersauna was bought, Grelle became the best club in Vienna. It’s dark there, with an underground programme and a very powerful sound system.
Spittelauer Lände 12 - Donau: A bar/club located in a former synagogue, with a subtle techno programme and offering impressive visual effects. The place is very hard to find, there’s no sign or anything, just a bouncer and a door.
Karl-Schweighofer-Gasse 10/A - Sass: the place to go for after hours, open every Sunday from 6am to 11pm.
The survivors of the week ends meet there for the wild Morgengymnastik (morning gym)
Karlsplatz 1
What a night will cost you: 60 €
Dinner: 18 €
2 beers in a bar: 6 €
2 gin & tonics in a club: 12 €
Club entrance fees: 10 €
Taxi back to the hotel: 14 €
Berlin cred’: 6/10
The best time to go: Spring or Summer, to make the most of the open air parties such as Tanz Durch Den Tag.
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Read also: our best tips to party in…