Address: Sipsong Bar, Florianigasse 15, Vienna
Website: instagram.com
Alexandra
Just a cobbled step from the Gothic dazzle of St Stephen’s Cathedral and the Old Masters hanging in the Albertina gallery, Alexandra is embracing the new Viennese wave of the aperitivo bar in – let’s face it – a city that knows a thing or two about la dolce vita. And who better to head it up than Alexandra Pavlović-Hariwijadi, glamorous, blonde, statuesque, glamorous and hailing from a fashion industry background. Her husband Roberto has long been something of a celeb on Vienna’s bar scene, previously the driving force of Roberto Bars, which shut up shop in 2024. The pair are back with a bang here, with the ethos that drinking should never be hurried (hence Alexandra opens at 11am) and the mantra that “a good night begins with a great day”. They’ve cleverly kept the flavour of the old French bistro formerly here, with black-and-white chequerboard tiles, globe lights, polished wood and marble, high ceilings and arched lights. Drinks nod to Italy and France, too – a Hugo or limoncello spritz, a Kir Royale with a blackcurrant kick. Order a plate of rigatoni al ragu di Vienna – eh voilà – happy days. Kerry Walker
Address: Alexandra, Seilergasse 14, Vienna
Website: alexandra-bar.at
Das Weindl
Right in the thick of things on Tiefer Graben in Vienna’s 1st district, mere steps away from the apartment where Beethoven once lived, Das Weindl has taken the historic bones of a Viennese townhouse and zhuzhed them up for the 21st century. An intimate, streamlined vision in wood panelling, monochromes and bare bulbs, this glam little bar turns the spotlight on that which matters most – wine. Namely, Austrian wine. Walls backlit and honeycombed with bottles are as eye-catching as any art. Your sommelier and host is winemaker Roland Müller, who knows Vienna and Austria’s vineyards like the back of his expert cork-popping hand. You can be sure that the cellars are well stocked and with wines starting at a modest €5 a glass, trying them doesn’t cost a mint either. The carefully edited list canter through Austria in a grape – from sparkling Pinot rosés to Vienna’s pride and joy, Gemischter Satz, a citrusy, mineral-forward field blend of whites. Pair with a gourmet cheese and charcuterie platter with game sausage, chutneys and Styrian pumpkin seed oil. Kerry Walker
Address: Das Weindl, Tiefer Graben 7, Vienna
Website: dasweindl.at
Hammond Bar
Set in the 2nd, the Leopoldstadt district, a green neon sign announcing its presence, the Hammond is run by the award-winning Sigrid Schot, one of the few female bar owners in town. Bubble-like light bulbs illuminate the horseshoe counter, around which stools covered in floral and blue velvet are set. As for the menu, the veers towards the classic, with a rum section – the Blackbeard mixes dark rum with mezcal and pineapple – and spins on classics, such as The Cutter, which mixes bourbon with Cynar and Martini bitters. Something of an insider’s favourite, drawing in a grown-up crowd and off-duty mixologists from other bars.
