The city of Vienna may have a reputation for refinement and elegance, but that doesn’t mean the residents don’t know how to party. With megaclubs like Nachtwerk and U4 along with smaller bars like the Tanzcafe Jenzeits, Vienna’s nightlife is varied enough for even the most dedicated club-goers.
Chelsea
Now a fixture in Vienna’s club scene, the Chelsea didn’t always have it so good. The club first opened in 1986 in the cellar of an apartment building, but problems with the neighbors brought the live concerts to an end in 1994. Less than a year later, though, the club reopened at a subway arch on Lerchenfelderguertel in Josefstadt, where it quickly rose to celebrity status. The subway arch is creatively used as a concert room and club area and dancers can choose from three rooms, each one with a bar. Up to 250 people can fit in for the DJ line-up and performances by national and internationally known bands. In addition to mixed drinks, the bar also offers a selection of quality beer and whisky.
Nachtwerk
The opening of the Nachtwerk in 1991 marked the start of a new era in Vienna’s nightlife and raised the standard for local dance clubs. Located in the hall formerly belonging to Vienna’s bridge construction company, Nachtwerk draws hundreds of people to its split-level dance floors and bars. There’s even a floor reserved for holders of the club’s VIP card. Every night has a music theme and themed parties are regularly held in honor of the night’s drink of choice. If you work up an appetite dancing, inside the club there’s a pizzeria and a cafe offering top-quality coffee and tobacco. For those staying in the city center, the main disadvantage is the club’s location in the distant 23rd district. To make things easier, Nachtwerk runs a shuttlebus to take guests to and from the outer parking lots.
Tanzcafe Jenseits
Red velvet and flashy decor grace the interior of this small bar in the sixth district. As its name--Dancecafe Beyond--implies, the Tanzcafe provides an atmosphere that’s far beyond the commonplace. Every night except Monday, Wednesday, and Sunday the DJ line-up plays a mix of rock and pop. Guest can enjoy cocktails, longdrinks, and snacks at the red plush bar or seat themselves at table under a portrait of Marilyn Monroe or Elvis Presley. Although the posted opening hours are 9pm to 2am, on many nights the party is in full swing right up until dawn.
Volksgarten
Located in the palace gardens in the center of town, the Volksgarten offers different music every night. Hip-hop, house, techno, rhythm and blues, soul, and disco are all part of the mix and the club has a reputation for hiring the best DJs in town. A varied, but primarily young and trendy crowd gathers to dance in a huge hall with a retractable roof, sip beer in the Volksgarten Pavilion, or lounge by the outdoor pool.
U4
The U4, one of Vienna’s most popular clubs, takes its name from the subway stop near the club’s entrance. Having built its reputation in part on appearances by Austrian rock singer Falco, the U4 still holds live concerts and shows with big-name performers. The population of the two dance floors depends on the music on offer that night. The retro crowd comes on Fridays for 80’s and 90’s pop music and Saturday nights draw fans of soul, funk, and disco. On Thursday it’s Heaven Night, Vienna's first and best-known weekly gay club night.
Cafe Drechsler
If you’ve still got energy left when the clubs close, Cafe Dreschler is the perfect place to have breakfast or one last drink as you watch the city awaken. This long-established cafe is located within the Naschmarkt, Vienna’s sprawling open-air market. To cater to workers at the market, the cafe opens at 3am every day, Monday through Saturday. Stop in after a night of dancing and replenish your energy with a meal made from the fresh foods sold in the market. Once you’ve got your strength back, you can try your hand at the cafe’s billiard tables.
Vienna’s vibrant nightlife is diverse enough to keep club-goers out any night of the week. If the crowds and techno music in the bigger clubs aren’t to your liking, there are plenty of smaller bars where you can relax with a cocktail and some soul music.
