The 11 best bars and nightlife in Salzburg

You might not have Salzburg down as an all-night raver – and you’d be right – but there’s still plenty happening when the sun dips behind those mountains. Evenings move to a chilled beat in summer: spent with cold brews quaffed in chestnut tree-shaded Biergarten, or gazing out across the Altstadt’s domes and spires from a chic roof terrace. Year round, you can tap into the nightlife scene in intimate right-bank bars playing up biodynamic Austrian wines, craft beer 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.

• Altstadt: Right Bank
• Altstadt: Left Bank
• Mülln
• Nonntal
• Airport
• Hauptbahnhof

Follow your cocktail calling down Salzburg’s prettiest medieval lane, Steingasse, to reach this stylish little number. Here mellow music, atmospherically backlit vaults and tubular lighting illuminating the bar set the scene. The doodle-tastic walls are an ode to the Father of Evolution, with ape men, globes and theories etched across them. The cocktails can be ground-breaking, too: from bang-on-the-money espresso martinis to knock-your-socks-off herbal elixirs laced with local honey. See the website for the details of its regular cocktail-making workshops.  

Contact: Steingasse 1; facebook.com/darwins.salzburg 
Prices: ££

Going strong since 1901, this Salzburger Weissbierbrauerei prides itself on the purity and crisp aroma of its cloudy Weissbier wheat beer, which is Marmite love-it-or-hate-it stuff. Die Weisse is the part of the brewery open to punters, bringing together a high-ceilinged pub, an array of cosy, timber-lined parlours, and a summertime courtyard with abundant tree shade. Besides an excellent selection of seasonal beers, there are hearty snacks on the menu (dumplings, goulash, roast chicken and schnitzel) to mop it all up. As the evening wears on, Sudhaus bar takes over with an upbeat crowd and DJs.

Contact: dieweisse.at
Prices: ££

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 assortment of out-of-the-ordinary brews. The vibe is relaxed, with rock tunes playing and a cheerful crowd piling in for the likes of cherry-laced Krieks, Trappist ales and hoppy IPAs. The chipper bar staff are happy to advise if you can’t make your mind up. When the weather warms, folk spill out onto the pavement terrace on Bergstrasse. And if there’s a small group of you, it’s worth checking out the beer tastings (the website has details).

Contact: alchimiste-belge.at
Prices: ££

Steinterrasse is quite literally the icing on the cake of nouveau-chic boutique Hotel Stein. The seventh-floor rooftop bar elicits little wows with its dress-circle views of the spires, domes and medieval houses of Salzburg’s fortress-crowned Altstadt. If it’s impressive by day, by night it really comes into its own when the city starts to twinkle and DJs spin. Signature cocktails like white peach julep and spicy aperolita (chilli-infused aperol with tequila and lime) go nicely with light bites from ceviche to antipasti and tuna sashimi. It’s the perfect Instagrammable spot for champagne-laced cocktails and conversing.

Contact: hotelstein.at
Prices: £££

Straying slightly further from the centre brings you to this impressive beer cellar, going strong since 1636 and now blending historic flair with urban modern design in its soaring brick vaults, wood-panelled parlours and strikingly backlit bars. There’s always a good buzz (check out the website for the full roster of gigs and events), especially in summer when the garden terrace at the foot of Kapuzinerberg hums with locals sipping the naturally cloudy organic house beer (Steinbier) and nibbling on food that’s a step up from the usual pub grub – from organic beef on sourdough to homemade fish fingers with parsley potatoes. 

Contact: urbankeller.com

Prices: ££

After clambering up to Salzburg’s high-on-a-hill fortress, you can’t beat a cold and foamy one at this huge beer hall, where vaulted parlours brim with woodsy charm 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 it’s been brewing the good stuff for 500 years. The signature is malty, medium-bodied, top-fermented Märzen, which pairs brilliantly with meaty snacks from schnitzel to pork roast. Other Stiegl beers are seasonally pepped up with ingredients from juniper and coriander to cinnamon. The sprawling terrace has sensational ringside views of the Altstadt.

Contact: restaurant-stieglkeller.at
Prices: ££

Ask any Salzburger to divulge their favourite spot for a quick drink in the Altstadt and you’ll hear Sporer mentioned time and again. Doing a brisk trade in home-made spirits, punches and liqueurs since 1903, this vaulted, barrel-lined cubby-hole occupies the narrowest house on busy Getreidegasse. Now run by the family’s fourth generation, Michael Sporer serves 22 different liqueurs in his great-grandfather’s former dram shop. Go for a classic herb liqueur (made to an old family recipe and containing 19 kinds of Austrian herb, berry and root), a zingy orange punch or home-distilled vermouth or gin. 

Contact: sporer.at
Prices: ££

A rollicking good beer hall in the shadow of Mönchsberg’s cliffs, Augustiner Bräustübl was founded by monks back in 1621. Locals have flocked here to guzzle tankards of beer and set the world to rights ever since. In winter, Salzburger fill its vaulted halls with the sound of clinking glasses and chatter, while in summer it’s all about Austria’s largest beer garden, with 1400 seats taking shade under the chestnut trees. Fill your stein at the foyer pump. Snack stands dish up beer grub like pretzels, pork trotters and grilled sausages.

Contact: augustinerbier.at
Prices: ££

Ever the rebel on Salzburg’s cultural scene, ARGEkultur swam away from the mainstream when it started up in the 1980s, and today its events still have alternative edge. Virtually anything goes here, with the line-up leaping from poetry slams to gigs, world music, dance, cabaret and DJ-spun party nights. Expect an easy-going vibe courtesy of the many students who come here (it’s at Unipark Nonntal campus). ARGE Beisl is the bar side of things, with industrial flair, day specials on the menu and a terrace that morphs into a beach in summer, complete with deckchairs and palms. 

Contact: argekultur.at
Prices: ££
Getting in: Advance booking is recommended for events

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 surrounds of Mayday Bar. The beautifully lit glass dome is impressive date-night stuff, with mixologists whipping up signature cocktails like 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 gourmet restaurant Ikarus, raising the bar snack offering with the delicious likes of tacos with Iberian pork shoulder, and green papaya salad with calamari, chilli and cashew nuts. DJs crank up the atmosphere on Friday nights.

Contact: hangar-7.com
Prices: £££
Getting in: No dress code per se but it’s smarter than most

One of the best places to get your groove on in Salzburg, this intimate, dimly lit, poster-plastered club brings the cream of the local and international jazz scene to the fore. There’s always a good buzz on gig nights, when the place is packed to the gunnels. Jazz is liberally interpreted here, with everything from solo sax acts and classic quartets to world music and open-mic sessions. There’s always jazz playing at Jazzit:Bar next door, which hosts free Tuesday-night jam sessions and spills out into a courtyard garden in summer. 

Contact: jazzit.at
Prices: ££
Getting in: Advance booking is recommended for events

Every bar, venue or experience in 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 traveller – and consider the 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.