Mixology at the highest level, perfectly balanced long drinks and a well-curated wine selection – Falstaff presents the crème de la crème of the Austrian bar scene.
More than 2300 cocktail bars and 700 wine bars from German–speaking countries were available for the Falstaff community to vote on. The 850 cocktail bars and 440 wine bars with the best ratings have made it into this guide. The best of the best result from the votes of a passionate Falstaff community as well as the knowledge of our expert jury.
Numerous awards were presented in various categories, including Host of the Year, Most Innovative Bartender and many more. The best bars in the country are rated in cocktail and wine bars. Falstaff congratulates all 2025 award winners!
The winners at a glance:
Tür 7, Vienna & Dino's Apothecary, Vienna
Endurance athlete Geri Tsai has been striving to get better and better for years. The subtle renovation of the bar creates a little more space, which is good for the former insider tip. This preserves the relaxed atmosphere in which the à la minute mixed cocktails are enjoyed here. There is still no card, but a lot of heart for the guest.
It is possible that the D in the bar name also stands for Duracell. At least when it comes to the performance of Barmazeut Heinz Kaiser. Old fans love his own creations, while new guests discover the joys of South American-inspired mixology with Micheladas, a Salpicón or the Tequila Mint Smash.
Intermezzo at the Hotel Intercontinental, Vienna
When Pan Am opened the InterContinental Hotel 60 years ago, there were still telex machines in the lobby. But the bar with the striking chandelier (4000 crystals!) already existed in 1964. To this day, the Intermezzo is saving a piece of intercontinental glamor for the present day – with drinks like the Between the Sheets. And oriental bar food to go with it.
Bar Campari, Vienna
It was actually logical that the master of bread rolls would try the Italian version Spuntini at some point. Peter Friese has integrated other classics – fritto misto and lots of pasta – into the Campari bar and created another hotspot alongside the Kameel with Negroni, Garibaldi, Campari Seltz and light cuisine.
Bar Novum, Alpenstern
Oliver Polster 's realm is off the beaten track, but once you've taken a seat at the bar, you'll never want to leave. Sunken treasures of bar culture – both rare bottlings and forgotten cocktail recipes – can be found in the newspaper from which you order: Widow's Kiss to Mauresque, plus complex signatures. Wonderful!
Cinco Bar, Vienna & Belétage Traunkirchen
The Latin American undertone was already part of the City Bar when it still paid homage to Cuba rum. With the know–how of the Qero makers and Nick Diehl-Thiele as bar manager, the whole of South America has contributed its world of flavors here. There is no more cigar smoke, but there are smoked cocktails in a hidden inner–city hideaway.
The Gröller family has given their renovated Post am See two fixed points: Max Deuker's magnificent open kitchen and the bar, where Marcus Volsa impresses with his themed menus. The Impressionists were followed by the winter menu with regional ingredients, on which Boletus Manhattan stands out. Cool place under creative liquid direction!
Salon Paradise, Vienna
The bold design of the Hoxton has given the cellar a look that even beatniks would have felt at home in. With our own cream sodas and seating niches, we stand up to our digital world. We should talk to each other. Over fine drinks, you are transported to a time when you could meet Don Draper or Jack Kerouac.
O Bar, Graz
The old Baltimore has been bubbling and fizzing ever since Oltion Mehmetaj started serving his light-footed cocktails from the tap. The fact that this harmonizes with the café business is not only demonstrated by his nitro coffee. For old fans of his mixing art, however, "Olti" has more than one à la minute option ready, preferably with his hobbyhorse, local fruit distillates.
Josef Bar, Vienna
What is probably the most elaborate production of an Austrian bar menu correlates with the passions of its operators: Andrea Hörzer's love of aesthetics, to which she also owes her new professional foothold, and Philipp M. Ernst's love of photography. This turned a simple cocktail menu into a lifestyle magazine that you can drink. Unique!
Lamée, Vienna
The long renovation was worth it, as the bar on the ninth floor can now be used all year round. This was important to the new operators, Denisa and Niklas Friedl (MaBelle), because it means that the snacks and signature drinks - with a focus on the Spritz varieties – are available 365 days a year. And you get the Steffl view for free.
As is usual for the brand, the focus of the newcomer is on natural fruit notes. Red and pink grapefruits from Alicante create a Spanish–language link to the main area of application as a mixer for tequila. But the sparkling–fresh option is also convincing on its own, in a spritz or as an enhancer of vodka long drinks.
Leon Klein, Kleinod Bar, Vienna
A genuine home–grown talent from the most dynamic bar group ensures consistency in the shaker and mixing glass, despite a constantly growing crew. If this gem were a news station, Leon Klein, who once started out as a dish washer in Singerstrasse, could be called an anchorman. For many, he is the face behind the delicious drinks.
Samy Walfisch Moby Dick, Vienna & Fabian Kalal, Fitzcarraldo, Vienna
The subway construction site in front of the building showed that Sammy Walfisch is different from typical restaurateurs. Instead of activating the Matschker mode, he sharpened. With pepper cordial in the drinks and promotions for drinking fun. With Fabian Kalal as host at Fitzcarraldo, this spirit is also spreading to the other end of the seventh.
Johanna Luger, Burdock, Salzburg
Every time you look behind the Burdock counter, you realize that someone has arrived in their bar. The creativity and energy of JoJo Luger fit perfectly in Schallmoos, where not only drinks are mixed, but a lifestyle is upheld: Easy Drinking with lots of preparation, including own drawings of the cocktails.
Hubert Peter, Brother, Vienna
You can easily count the number of bartenders with their own farm in Vienna on a single hand. Strictly speaking, the two hectares are actually located in the old home of Vorarlberg. However, you can enjoy the conversion of the crops in the casual surroundings near the MaHü. Natural wine is also available as an alternative. And the botanizer's eternal vermouth.
Kleinod, Vienna
A lot helps a lot, as the saying goes. That may be true. But creating, managing and maintaining a team that runs three locations (and cocktail catering) is by no means easy. The fact that Stadtgarten, Prunkstück and the Kleinod flagship store succeed in doing this despite their heterogeneity shows the strength of the brand – and its (further) designers.
Michaela Schimanko, Eden Bar, Vienna
It's been a long time since die Eden made it onto the radio; back then, Helmut Qualtinger was still singing about Reden in der Eden (talking in the Eden). But the bar itself has been around even longer, since 1911. It became legendary in the Roaring Twenties under the aegis of Emmy Stein. Today, after the post–war era under Gabor Kenézy and his unforgettable successor Heinz Werner Schimanko, the long–lived establishment is already experiencing its fourth spring. The fact that the long–established bar still radiates a little grandeur of old Vienna in the new millennium is down to Michaela Schimanko. She has continued her father's work with reverence, but also with many new (drink) ideas. Cabaret and the music that has run through the history of Eden complemented the bar service. In the revamped ambience, which allows the old strengths to shine anew, people are once again coming to the Eden to talk – and of course to enjoy champagne or one of barmaestro William's cocktails. It's not just regulars who shout: Ad multos annos, Eden! in view of this lifetime achievement.
Marvin Felsberger, Luster, Vienna
Don't be fooled by the playful, crazy vibe. When it comes to rare spirits such as shochu or the restrained use of sake, Mr. Marvin is on top form. Precise in the flavor matching of the liquid creations, cheerful in the service – he is jointly responsible for the new look of the popular Bar Luster.
The winners at a glance
Wine organ, Vienna
Singapore has the Raffles Bar, in Vienna the peanut shells fall to the floor of the Weinorgel, and have done so for 42 years! The love of the Stehachterl, which is enjoyed here, has remained unchanged, as has the eponymous organ, which always gives a sign of life – which contributes significantly to the cheerfulness in this institution of the relaxed glass.
Fuhrmann, Vienna
Food pairing is not an exotic discipline here, but rather a daily mastery practiced by Hermann Botolen. Even Mike Feierabend 's lunches are served in congenial glasses. With around 1000 labels, many of which have been matured in exemplary fashion, there is also plenty of scope for fans of rare bouteilles. And then there are the fruit brandies ...
3 Arches, Vienna
If one of the three operators is called Karl Wrenkh, then you can look forward to quality in the casual style. Together with the Argentinian perspective brought in by Pablo Caldarola, something new has been created that quickly seems familiar: Wine bar meets grocery store. The best way to get started is with Tasting & Grazing, where you can discover the newcomer in all its facets.
Atlas Bar, Vienna
No matter what you call the natural wine segment (natural? orange? minimally invasive?) – they stand for diversity and colorfulness. And the places where they are not only tasted but also drunk should be exactly the same. The combination with a gallery atmosphere is a brilliant move. Or, like the wine served there: very lively!
Wine & Co.
Whether you need a gift quickly or are specifically looking for a rarity: The first route often leads to Wein & Co. More than 1500 wines from all over the world make it easy to find the right one. Especially as you can taste all the wines in the store – for the famous stubble money. This is local service for wine nerds.
Thallern, Gumpoldskirchen
The dual role as an ancient Cistercian estate – familiar to many from the Southern Railway carriage window - and modern wine bar is thriving. Austria's youngest DAC region is presented in all its facets by Katharina Graner. Tastings, events and gourmet meals expand the Thermenregion Vinothek into a center of enjoyment.
