by Salzburg might not be down as a night raver at all – and you’d be right – but there’s still plenty happening when the sun drops behind those mountains. Evenings move to a cooling blow in the summer: spent with cold brews quaffed in a Biergarten tree-shadow of a nut tree, or looking out over the Altstadt domes and spires from a chic roof terrace. Throughout the year, you can take advantage of the night life in close banks right bank playing Austrian biodynamic wines, craft beers or cocktails with a pinch of creativity. And if you’re up for a party, you’ll find late-night jazz clubs, gigs and DJ nights if you know where to look.
Find crops by area
Right bank: Altstadt
Darwin’s
Keep your rooster crowing down Salzburg’s prettiest medieval lane, Steingasse, to reach this stylish little number. This is the relaxing music, atmospheric backlit vaults and tube lighting illuminating the bar on the terrace. The mottled walls are an ode to Father Evolution, with white men, globes and theories etched across them. The cocktails can be cutting-edge too: from bang-on-the-money espresso martinis to knock-your-socks-off herbal elixirs laced with local honey. See the website for details of its regular cocktail-making workshops.
Contact: Steingasse 1; facebook.com/darwins.salzburg
Prices: ££
Weisse’s death
Going strong since 1901, this Salzburger Weissbierbrauerei prides itself on the purity and crisp aroma of its cloudy Weissbier wheat beer, which is love-it-or-hate-it Marmite. Die Weisse is the part of the brewery open to punters, bringing together a high-ceilinged pub, a series of cozy, wood-lined courtyards, and a summer courtyard with abundant tree shade. Apart from a great selection of seasonal beers, there are great snacks on the menu (dumplings, goulash, roast chicken and schnitzel) to wash it down. As the evening progresses, the Sudás bar takes over with a very happy crowd and DJs.
Contact: diseisse.at
Prices: ££
Belgian alchemist
Proof that the global craft beer wave has reached Salzburg comes in the form of Alchimiste Belge. This is a wunderbar drinking den to sample a 150-strong mix of unusual brews. The vibe is relaxed, with rock tunes playing and a happy crowd pouring in for the likes of cherry-laced Krieks, Trappist ales and hoppy IPAs. The chip bar staff are happy to give you advice if you can’t make up your mind. When the weather is warmer, people spill out onto the sidewalk terrace on Bergstrasse. And if you have a small group, the beer tastings are worth checking out (details are on the website).
Contact: alchimiste-belge.at
Prices: ££
Steinterrasse
Steinterrasse is literally the icing on Hotel Stein’s nouveau-chic boutique cake. The rooftop bar on the seventh floor is nothing short of awe-inspiring with its dress-circle views of the spiers, domes and medieval houses of Altstadt, crowned by Salzburg’s fortress. If it is great during the day, at night it really comes in when the city starts to twinkle and DJs spin. Signature cocktails like a white peach julep and spicy aperolita (chili-infused rapole with tequila and lime) pair nicely with light bites from ceviche to antipasti and tuna sashimi. It’s the perfect Instagrammable spot for cocktails and champagne-laced conversation.
Contact: hotel.at
Prices: £££
Urban banker
Wandering a little further from the center will bring you to this impressive beer cellar, which has been going strong since 1636 and now blends the charm of history with modern urban design in its raised brick vaults, wood paneled parlor and stunning backlit bars . There’s always a good buzz (check the website for the full roster of gigs and events), especially in summer when the garden terrace at the foot of the Kapuzinerberg hums with locals sipping naturally cloudy organic house beer ( Steinbier) and nibbling on food there. a step up from the usual pub grub – from organic beef on sourdough to homemade fish fingers with parsley potatoes.
Contact: urbankeller.com
Prices: ££
Left Bank: Altstadt
Stiegeller
After approaching Salzburg’s hilltop fortress, you can’t beat a cold head and foam at this huge beer hall, where vaulted parlors are enchanted with wood and hunting trophies. If it feels a bit Oktoberfesty, it’s no coincidence – it was designed by the same architect as Munich’s Hofbräuhaus. And he’s been brewing the good stuff for 500 years. The signature is a muted, medium-bodied, top-fermented Märzen that pairs wonderfully with meaty snacks from schnitzel to roast pork. Other Stiegl beers are enhanced seasonally with ingredients ranging from juniper and coriander to cinnamon. The sprawling terrace has great views of the ringside of the Altstadt.
Contact: restaurant-stieglkeller.at
Prices: ££
Spores
Ask any Salzburger to reveal their favorite spot for a quick drink in the Altstadt and you’ll hear Sporer mentioned time and time again. Doing a brisk trade in home-made spirits, punches and liqueurs since 1903, this vaulted, barrel-lined cubby hole is in the narrowest house on busy Getreidegasse. Now run by the fourth generation of the family, Michael Sporer serves 22 different liqueurs in his great-grandfather’s dram shop. Go for a classic herb liqueur (made according to an old family recipe and containing 19 types of Austrian herbs, berries and root), zingy orange punch or home-distilled vermouth or gin.
Contact: spores.at
Prices: ££
Mülln
Augustiner Bräustübl
Augustiner Bräustübl monks founded a good beer hall in the shadow of the Mönchsberg cliffs in 1621. Locals have come here to beat beer tankers and protect the world ever since. In winter, Salzburger fills its vaulted halls with the sound of clinking glasses and chatter, and in summer it is under all the largest beer gardens in Austria, with 1400 seats taking shade under the chestnut trees. Fill your tank at the foyer pump. Stand out beer grub snacks like pretzels, pork trotters and grilled sausages.
Contact: augustinerbier.at
Prices: ££
Undisclosed
ARGEkultur
Ever the rebel on the Salzburg cultural scene, ArGEkultur floated out of the mainstream when it started up in the 1980s, and today its events are still fringe. Little goes here, with the program jumping from poetry slams to gigs, world music, dance, cabaret and DJ party nights. Expect an easygoing vibe courtesy of the many students who come here (it’s on the Unipark Nonntal campus). ARGE Beisl is the bar side of things, with an industrial flair, daily specials on the menu and a terrace that morphs into a beach in the summer, complete with deckchairs and palms.
Contact: argekultur.ag
Prices: ££
Entry: It is recommended to book in advance for events
airport
May Day Bar
The architecturally striking glass-and-steel Hangar-7 complex is the historic Flying Bulls aircraft fleet, which you can admire with a cocktail in hand from the sophisticated surroundings of the Mayday Bar. The beautifully lit glass dome is an impressive date-night affair, with mixologists spinning signature cocktails like the Pink Lady (Hangar-7 gin, grapefruit liqueur, triple sec and lemon) and the Hangar-7 Colada (rum, pineapple, nut cocoa, egg white and lime). Under the same roof is the gourmet restaurant Ikarus, raising the bar snack offer with delicious tacos with Iberian pork shoulder, and green papaya salad with calamari, chilli and cashew nuts. DJs add to the atmosphere on Friday nights.
Contact: hangar-7.com
Prices: £££
Entry: There is no dress code per se but it is smarter than most
Hauptbahnhof
Jazz
One of the best places to get your heart pumping in Salzburg, this intimate poster-poster club brings the best of local and international jazz to the fore. There’s always a good buzz on gig nights, when the place is packed to the rafters. Jazz is liberally represented here, with everything from solo sax acts and classical quartets to world music and open mic sessions. There’s always jazz at Jazzit:Bar next door, with free Tuesday night jam sessions that spill out into a courtyard garden in the summer.
Contact: jazz.at
Prices: ££
Entry: It is recommended to book in advance for events
How we choose
Every bar, venue or experience on this curated list has been tried and tested by our destination expert, who has visited to provide you with their insider perspective. We cover a range of budgets and styles, from casual pubs to exquisite cocktail bars – to best suit every type of traveler – and consider service, drinks, atmosphere and price in our recommendations. We update this list regularly to keep up with the latest openings and provide up-to-date recommendations.
