Compared to your average Western European city the gay scene is quite quiet but there are the usual bars, night clubs, cafes, saunas, hotels (quite a number), shops, ooh and a nudist beach on the shores of the Danube. While for several years now an annual (Regenbodenparade) rainbow parade and pride event has also taken place.

How Gay is Austria?

German gay tourists named Austria as their preferred destination 3 years ago, but Vienna the city is still playing catch up in terms of a ‘queer alternative ‘ to say Berlin, Paris, or Barcelona.

Only a handful of venues some what scattered across the town centre around the Naschmarket and Rosa-Lila Villa are to be found amongst the many attractions catering for those who visit to sample the country famous for its ski resorts, classical music and waltz.

Gay and Lesbian Establishments

Café Berg , 9, Berggasse 8, u-bahn –schottentor, is a cool café bar for gay people and friends, straight clientele during the day sample the good food here, open 10am-1am.

Brot and Rosen , 12, Ratchkygasse 48/2-4, intercultural feminist café open for events Saturday.

Café Savoy, 6, linke wienzeile, 36, u-bahn-kettenbrukengasse. A scruffy café straight by day, but come night fall you can pick up almost whatever you want.

Frauencafe 8, lange grasse 11, u-bahn-lerchenfelderstrasse. The only permanent bar for women in Vienna, although small is a very friendly café, open tues.- sat,6.30pm till 2am.

Café Willendorf, 6, linke wienzeile 102, u-bahn –pilgramgrasse, inside the Rosa-Lila Villa is a leafy courtyard that is the Willendorf café-restaurant. Open daily 6pm-2am.

Santo Spirito,1, Kumpfgasse7, u-bahn-Stephansplatz. Gay run Mediterranean bistro, mixed with gay and straight customers and Sunday’s infamous brunches to loud classical music. 11am-2am and 11am-3am Friday/Saturday.

Why Not? 1, Tiefergraben, 22, this late night gay/lesbian bar and disco is very popular with the younger crowd. Poen thurs- sat 10pm-2am.

Frauenzentrum Beisel, 9, WahringerstraBe 59, open thurs-sat 10pm till 4am.

Living Room 4, GroBe Neugrasse 31, open 6pm- 1am, fri and sat- 6pm till 4am.

Moto, 5, Schonbrunner str. 30, open 6pm.

Kaiserbrundi 1, Weihburgrasse 18-20, thurs. 2pm –midnight, Friday from midnight non-stop!

Gay Bars

Alte Lampe heumuhlgasse 13, the oldest of all the gay bars in Vianne having been open since 1952, this is a meeting place for Austrian bears too.

Café x Bar mariahilifer straBe 45,a small cocktail bar.

Date, schikanergrasse 12, and Felix, gumpendorfer straBe 5 are both small clubs.

Goldener Spiegel, linke wienzeile 45, is a bar that serves food until midnight, (also a cruising area).

Mango bar, laimgrubengrasse 3, is a popular bar for younger gays.

Vanity club-lounge, mollerdgrasse 3, is a music bar and lounge that serves vegetarian food.

Nights Out

Parties and Clubs for the queer community in Vienna see’s many one off nights on a monthly basis. Departure@porgy 7 bess for progressive house. G-spot ‘subzero for big gay lezzas, is first Friday, there are two dance floors, house/electro/tribal and pop/rock. Queer beat @ subzero is bi-monthly and caters for a young crowd with alternative, rock, house and retro tunes.Subverse ‘subzero is for students monthly. Heaven basic @camera club is every Saturday.

Wiener Freiheit Friday and Saturday the oldest of old-fashioned gay bars.

Where to stay in Vienna for the Queer traveller?

Ebab (www.ebab.com) is a private accommodation service in Vienna with listings of up to 30 venues.

Many of the more established hotels and b&b’s are now listed in the official Vienna hotel guide ‘Vienna waits for you.’ www.vienna.info

At quick glance there are the following gay friendly hotels:

Modest 5. Prices from 20-50 Euros single room , 70-80 dbl.

Moderate 8.Prices from 27-50 Euros to 72-50 Euros.

Standard 20. Prices from55euros –108 Euros.

First Class 26. Prices from 164 euros-300 Euros.

Deluxe 5. Prices from 240 Euros-3,950 Euros.