"Cold dishes" Bars in Austria
There are many details that give away the quality even before the first sip. Fine wood, jazzy music and a cocktail menu that lists punch bowls as a matter of course. Heinz Kaiser and his team know all about "liquid intake" in both large and small doses. They're also great with rum, as in the "Kaiserin".
The guiding theme, not to say the guiding index, has remained the same under the new bar team: Financial topics are creatively translated into seasonal cocktail menus - most recently with the five investor types, for example. "Innovation", "Independence" and "Opportunities" are not just capitalised as cocktail names. Great bar food!
The bar menu is a colourful carousel, with two creative fire spirits behind it, Laura Peez and Sigi Schot. In addition, there are signature cocktails from the entire team, often with pop-cultural mischief or art-historical allusions as garnish. An open, inclusive and, above all, damn good place to drink.
You wouldn't immediately recognise from the Tyrolean appearance that one of the most unusual bars in the country is waiting behind. Even the "Zwetschken Bellini" or the "Rote Bete Colada" - as good as they are - do not prepare you for Andi Hotter's treasure: the gigantic realm of spirits in which he masterfully navigates.
The cocktails are at least as impressive as the glamorous ambience of the "D" aka "Discovery" bar. The high quality and professional bartenders turn every signature drink into the perfect guest experience. One of the flavour highlights: "Isla Verde" with rum, avocado, coconut, wasabi and whey.
A few steps separate the Lände from the Land of Marco. Because different rules apply here. You are an accomplice to the night and enjoy refreshments mixed with US whiskey. LP music plays from hidden speakers while someone else enjoys their first "Thai massage".
The bar's fifth birthday showed just how international the team's friends are. The fruit wines, for which David Barbist has a knack, are a USP. Chef Kostas Karvounis complements the tinkerer as an always cheerful host. Together they bring individualistic ingredients to life (also visually appealing).
Damir Bušić delves deeper and deeper into the world of Tyrolean flavours to fuse them with international recipes. The most recent example: the taming of the infamous "Krautinger", which only the master himself could achieve. If you want to entrust your own diary with unusual drinking adventures, you have to go to the Diary!
The restaurant and bar at this top Italian restaurant and trendy meeting place share a basic concept: quality down to the last detail. Every cocktail is therefore finely tuned, every ingredient well thought out. Non-alcoholic is now also a top priority - the "Garden Sprizz" with flint tea, cucumber, mint and cranberry is even perfect for lunch.
The anarchy of the eternal children is in charge here. But the bar, which is based on natural ingredients - preserved in the sweat of the summer season - is not just a fun project. The fun of deep piling - outstanding flavours, simple appearance - combines cuisine and cocktails. And then there's the selection of natural wines ...
These mixologists are true masters of their trade and are among the most renowned in the city. With creativity and precision, they experiment with ingredients, flavours and techniques to create something unique. Even classics succeed flawlessly; the Negroni, to name one example, impresses with its perfect balance.
When the lights above the bar start to swing, it's showtime again. The mischievousness and the stupendous hand for flavours has long since begun its work. Kan Zuo's away display at Villa Bulfon brings together exotic flavours and witty serves - from smoking with a "dragon" to soap bubbles.
The location in the old stone tunnel alone - it is 90 metres deep in the fortress hill - makes the 1930 a must-go. Once here, it's all about the enormous selection of gins from all over the world - it's even listed in the Guinness Book of Records. An absolute experience with speakeasy character!
A "church tour" that's fun: enter through the confessional and you've reached one of the flagships of the city's speakeasy culture. The heavenly concept is consistently followed through: "Holy Scripture" (i.e. the bar menu) includes "New Testament" highballs as well as "7 sins" shots and "celibacy" mocktails.
The aristocratic history of this sophisticated establishment is also reflected in the bar menu, where all the celebrities from "Princess Elisabeth" to "Emperor Franz" and "Duchess Ludovika" are given a liquid memorial in a glass - the good flavour description helps newcomers to make their choice: from strong and bitter to creamy and sweet.
With Stani Fürst at the shaker, the motto in the small bar of the Michelin-starred restaurant is quickly realised: "Sen(n)sational cocktails". The bar manager composes them in such a way that they tickle all the senses. At the same time, two dozen open wines are on offer, curated by Thomas Kracher. In the industrial-chic ambience, both options lead to enjoyment.
Wine pairing is a thing of the past - here the principle is turned on its head and creative drinks are served with the right gastronomic accompaniment. Even if you're not hungry, however, experimentation is almost mandatory, and the menu helps with flavour sonar. Tip: The "Negroni Benito" combines bitter flavours with rosemary and raspberry notes.
"Life is golden", according to this motto and full of great jazz club inspiration, the American Bar at the Grand Tirolia inspires not only with very well executed drinks and the large selection of whisk(e)y, tequila and co. Live performances by young artists invite you to listen, swing and enthuse - and to dance.
Alpine elegance prevails throughout the hotel including in the bar. Thanks to homemade syrups the non-alcoholic selection is varied, while the signature cocktails succeed with either a regional twist, such as the "Alpincosmo", or international notes such as the "Thai Massage" with tequila, chilli, lemongrass and mango.
High above the city the sunsets behind the rooftop bar of The Ritz-Carlton where Vienna provides wow moments. A glass of Perrier-Jouët is the ideal sundowner. The selection is diverse and, true to the hotel's reputation, always extravagant, luxurious, and of the highest quality. The service on the rooftop is also top-notch.