You may not have Salzburg as an all-night raver - and you're right - but there's still plenty going on when the sun dips behind those mountains. In summer, evenings move at a cool pace: spend them sipping cold brews in the chestnut tree-shaded Biergarten, or gaze out over the domes and spiers of the Altstadt from a chic rooftop terrace. All year round you can enjoy the nightlife in the intimate bars of the Right Bank, serving biodynamic Austrian wines, craft beer or cocktails with a touch of creativity. And if you fancy a party, you can find late night jazz clubs, performances and DJ nights if you know where to look.
Find a bar by area
Right bank: Altstadt
Darwin's
Follow your cocktail as you walk through Salzburg's most beautiful medieval street, Steingasse, to reach this stylish little number. Here soft music, atmospherically lit vaults and tube lighting that illuminate the bar form the decor. The doodle-tastic walls are an ode to the Father of Evolution, with ape-men, globes and theories etched onto them. The cocktails can be groundbreaking too, from cheesy espresso martinis to can't-miss herbal elixirs laced with local honey. See the website for more information about the regular cocktail making workshops.
Die Weisse
Going strong since 1901, this Salzburger Weissbierbrauerei prides itself on the purity and fresh aroma of its cloudy Weissbier wheat beer, a Marmite love-it-or-hate-it stuff. Die Weisse is the part of the brewery open to punters and includes a high-ceilinged pub, a range of cozy wood-lined lounges and a summer courtyard with plenty of tree shade. In addition to an excellent selection of seasonal beers, the menu also includes savory snacks (dumplings, goulash, roast chicken and schnitzel) to mop it all up. As the evening progresses, the Sudhaus bar takes over with a cheerful crowd and DJs.
Alchemist Belgian
Proof that the global craft beer wave has reached Salzburg comes in the form of Alchimiste Belge. This is a wunderbar drinking den where you can sample a range of 150 specialty brews. The atmosphere is relaxed, rock tunes are playing and a cheerful crowd comes in for cherry-spiced cherries, Trappist beers and hoppy IPAs. The staff at the chipper bar will be happy to advise you if you are unsure. When the weather warms up, people flock to the terrace on Bergstrasse. And if you're with a small group, it's worth checking out the beer tastings (details can be found on the website).
Steinterras
Steinterrasse is literally the icing on the cake of the nouveau-chic boutique Hotel Stein. The rooftop bar on the seventh floor elicits small wow feelings with its circular views of the spires, domes and medieval houses of Salzburg's fortress-crowned Altstadt. It's impressive during the day, but at night it really comes into its own when the city starts to sparkle and DJs spin. Signature cocktails such as white peach julep and spicy aperolita (aperol with chili pepper, tequila and lime) pair nicely with light bites from ceviche to antipasti and tuna sashimi. It's the perfect Instagrammable spot for champagne cocktails and conversations.
Urbankeller
Wander a little further from the center and you'll come across this impressive beer cellar, which has been around since 1636 and now combines historic flair with urban modern design in its high brick vaults, wood-panelled salons and strikingly lit bars. There is always a good atmosphere (check the website for the full range of performances and events), especially in summer, when the garden terrace at the foot of the Kapuzinerberg is buzzing with locals sipping the naturally cloudy organic house beer (Steinbier) and nibbles on food that's a step up from the usual pub fare - from organic beef on sourdough to home-made fish fingers with parsley potatoes.
Contact: urbankeller.com
Prices: ££
Left bank: Altstadt
Stieglkeller
After climbing to the hilltop Salzburg Fortress, you can't beat a cold and frothy fortress in this enormous beer hall, where the vaulted salons bustle with woody charm and hunting trophies. If it feels a bit Oktoberfest, that's no coincidence: it was designed by the same architect as the Hofbräuhaus in Munich. And it's been brewing good stuff for 500 years. The signature is malty, medium-bodied, top-fermented Märzen, which goes well with meaty snacks, from schnitzel to pork roast. Other Stiegl beers are seasonally spiced up with ingredients from juniper and coriander to cinnamon. The extensive terrace offers a sensational view of the Altstadt from a ringside view.
Sporer
Ask any Salzburger about his favorite spot for a drink in the Altstadt and you will hear Sporer mentioned again and again. This vaulted, barrel-lined booth, which has been doing a brisk trade in homemade spirits, punches and liqueurs since 1903, occupies the narrowest house on busy Getreidegasse. Now run by the fourth generation of the family, Michael Sporer serves 22 different liquors in his great-grandfather's former dram shop. Go for a classic herbal liqueur (made from an old family recipe and with 19 types of Austrian herbs, berries and roots), a spicy orange punch or home-distilled vermouth or gin.
Mülln
Augustiner Bräustübl
Augustiner Bräustübl, a boisterous, good beer hall in the shadow of the Mönchsberg cliffs, was founded by monks in 1621. The locals came here to drink steins of beer and have been putting the world on the line ever since. In winter, the Salzburger fills its vaulted halls with the sound of clinking glasses and chatter, while in summer it's all about Austria's largest beer garden, with 1,400 seats seeking shade under the chestnut trees. Fill your beer mug at the foyer pump. The snack stands serve beer such as pretzels, pork feet and grilled sausages.
Non-numerous
ARGEculture
Once the rebel on Salzburg's cultural scene, ARGEkultur veered away from the mainstream when it started in the 1980s, and today its events still have an alternative flavor. Almost anything is possible here, with a line-up that varies from poetry slams to performances, world music, dance, cabaret and DJ-driven party nights. Expect a friendly atmosphere thanks to the many students who come here (it's on the Unipark Nonntal campus). ARGE Beisl is the bar side of the business, with industrial flair, daily specials on the menu and a terrace that turns into a beach in summer, complete with sun loungers and palm trees.
Contact: argekultur.at
Prices: ££
Getting in: Advance reservations are recommended for events
Airport
Mayday bar
The architecturally striking glass and steel Hangar-7 complex is home to the historic Flying Bulls aircraft fleet, which you can admire with a cocktail in hand from the sophisticated surroundings of Mayday Bar. The beautifully lit glass dome is impressive for a date night, with mixologists preparing signature cocktails such as Pink Lady (Hangar-7 gin, grapefruit liqueur, triple sec and lemon) and Hangar-7 Colada (rum, pineapple, coconut, egg white and lime ). Under the same roof is the gourmet restaurant Ikarus, which takes the snack offering to the next level with delicious tacos with Iberian pork shoulder and green papaya salad with calamari, chili and cashew nuts. DJs provide the atmosphere on Friday evenings.
Contact: hangar-7.com
Prices: £££
Getting in: No dress code per se, but it's smarter than most
Hauptbahnhof
Jazzit
This intimate, dimly lit, poster-covered club is one of the best places to get your groove on in Salzburg, showcasing the cream of the crop from the local and international jazz scene. There's always a good buzz on gig nights when the venue is packed to the brim. Jazz is interpreted generously here, with everything from solo sax acts and classical quartets to world music and open-mic sessions. Jazz is always played in the adjacent Jazzit:Bar, which hosts free jam sessions on Tuesday evenings and opens into a courtyard in the summer.
Contact: jazzit.at
Prices: ££
Getting in: Advance reservations are recommended for events
How we choose
Every bar, venue or experience on this curated list has been tried and tested by our destination expert, who's dropped by to give you their insider perspective. We cover a range of budgets and styles, from casual pubs to exquisite cocktail bars - to suit every type of traveler - and take service, drinks, atmosphere and price into account in our recommendations. We update this list regularly to stay informed of the latest vacancies and to provide current recommendations.
