Other entertainment in Vienna
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Artis International
Artis has six small cinemas in the heart of the Innere Stadt. It only shows English- language films, of the Hollywood, blockbuster variety.
reviewed
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Wiener Residenzorchester
The philosophy and mission of the Vienna Residence Orchestra – currently led by the esteemed pianist and conductor Paul Moser – is to present Viennese classics in their full glory and purest form. And its speciality? Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart and Johann Strauss, of course. Concerts are held at the opulent Auersperg palace, where between 15 and 30 musicians showcase their talents while dressed head to toe in rococo and Biedermeier costumes. The orchestra also occasionally plays at other venues in town, including the Börse Palais.
reviewed
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Passage
Passage is the closest thing to a megaclub in Vienna. Its sleek interior, soothing colours and sweaty atmosphere attract the beautiful people of the city, their entourage and plenty of oglers and barflies. The music is loud (noise from the Ringstrasse traffic directly overhead is easily drowned out) and fairly mainstream, with R&B, hip-hop and house nights; ‘Disco Fever Tuesday’ draws some of the biggest crowds. Expect lines and black-clad, muscle-bound doormen after 10pm (11pm on Friday and Saturday).
reviewed
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Radiokulturhaus
Expect anything from odes to Sinatra and R.E.M. or an evening dedicated to Beethoven and Mozart at the Radiokulturhaus. Housed in several performance venues including the Grosser Sendesaal – home to the Vienna Radio Symphony Orchestra (which hosts classical and modern music plus theatre productions) and the Klangtheater (used primarily for radio plays) – this is one of Vienna’s cultural hot spots. The venue also presents dance, lectures, and literary readings as well as low-key performances in its cafe.
reviewed
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Cinemagic
An initiative of the City of Vienna aimed at entertainment for children, Cinemagic has an entire day programme totally devoted to the little ‘uns. Films come from around the globe and screen Thursday through Sunday afternoons. In mid-November the cinema, along with three others, hosts a Children’s Film Festival (www.kinderfilmfestival.at) showcasing international children’s films. Evenings feature blockbusters and independent films geared to adults.
reviewed
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Kammeroper
The Kammeroper ranks as Vienna’s third opera house after the Staatsoper and Volksoper. Its small venue is perfect for unusual and quirky opera productions and in summer the entire company is transported to the Schlosstheater Schönbrunn (closed for renovations at press time but due to reopen in 2011) to continue performances in more opulent surroundings. Students receive 30% discount, children under 14 receive 50% discount.
reviewed
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Göbel
One of the few highly original Heurigen in Vienna is Göbel, the creation of owner Peter Göbel. Combining his significant talent at both winemaking and architectural design, Peter has fashioned a Heuriger that not only delivers quality produce (80% of his wine is red, some of which is among the best in Vienna) but provides a traditional atmosphere among stylishly clean lines and a strong natural-wood finish.
reviewed
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Arnold Schönberg Center
This brilliant repository of Arnold Schönberg’s archival legacy is a cultural centre and celebration of the Viennese school of the early 20th century honouring Mr Schönberg, a Viennese-born composer, painter, teacher, theoretician and innovator known for his ‘Method of composing with twelve tones which are related only with one another’. The exhibition hall regularly hosts intimate classical concerts, which people in the know flock to.
reviewed
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Aux Gazelles
Aux Gazelles’ club bar is beautifully Moorish and suitably filled with beautiful people. The music is an eclectic mix of smooth ethnic sounds, and there are plenty of dim corners and low, comfy couches to escape to if so desired. The rest of this gigantic club venue features a restaurant, bar and deli, and there’s even a hammam (oriental steam bath). Aux Gazelles is one of the few clubs in town where a dress code is enforced.
reviewed
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Salm Bräu
Brews its own Helles, Pils (pilsner), Märzen (red-coloured beer with a strong malt taste), G’mischt (half Helles and half Dunkel (dark)), and Weizen (full-bodied wheat beer, slightly sweet in taste). Smack next to Schloss Belvedere and hugely popular, with a happy hour from 3pm to 5pm Monday to Friday and noon to 4pm Saturday.
reviewed
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Kursalon
Fans of Strauss and Mozart will love the performances at Kursalon, which holds daily evening concerts (8.15pm) devoted to the two masters of music in a splendid, refurbished Renaissance building. Also popular is the Concert & Dinner package (3- or 4-course meal – not including drinks – at 6pm, followed by the concert) in the equally palatial on-site restaurant.
reviewed
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Hofburg Concert Halls
The Neue Hofburg’s concert halls, the sumptuous Festsaal and Redoutensaal, are regularly used for Strauss and Mozart concerts, featuring the Hofburg Orchestra and soloists from the Staatsoper and Volksoper. Performances start at 8.30pm and tickets are available online and from travel agents and hotels. It’s open-plan seating, so get in early to secure a good seat.
reviewed
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Titanic
This club is old school, with door check and bouncers (dress reasonably conservatively), but once you’re past these party-poopers it’s time to whoop it up. Two large dance floors soon fill with revellers either looking to pull or dance the night away to mainstream club sounds, R&B and ‘80s classics. Fun, but not to everyone’s taste.
reviewed
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Theater in der Josefstadt
Theater in der Josefstadt is another theatre in the Volkstheater mould, with an ornate interior and traditional German productions. One hour before performances tickets are available to students and schoolchildren for €5; same-day standing-room tickets are available for €4 at 1pm for afternoon productions, and at 3pm for evening productions.
reviewed
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Bricks Lazy Dancebar
A cross between a bar and a dance spot, this retro, red-vinyl space attracts a mainly 20-something set. The dance floor is tiny but cosy, with DJs spinning anything from timeless dance classics from the last four decades to electric, indie and alternative beats. All cocktails are half-price before 10pm daily and all night on Monday.
reviewed
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Gartenbaukino
Fortunately the interior of the Gartenbaukino has survived since the 1960s, making a trip to the flicks here all the more appealing. The actual cinema seats a whopping 750 people, and is often packed during Viennale screenings. Its regular screening schedule is full to overflowing with art-house films, normally with subtitles.
reviewed
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Kino Unter Sternen
Open-air cinema is a growing phenomenon in Vienna. Kino Unter Sternen, a highly popular outdoor cinema (when the weather holds) in the shadow of one of Augarten’s Flaktürme, shows films from mid-July to mid-August. The selection is an eclectic mix of classics, and films in English are often shown.
reviewed
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Rote Bar
This marble-, chandelier- and thick, red-velvet-curtain–bedecked space in the nether regions of the Volkstheater hosts Tuesday-night jazz sessions, Saturday dance nights with DJs, Wednesday readings and performance art, plus occasional one-offs like Milonga nights where you can try to tango.
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De France
De France screens films in their original language, with subtitles, in its two small cinemas. The schedule includes a healthy dose of English-language films. Every Saturday afternoon is ‘Film & Wein’ day, where you get a matinée and a quality glass of wine (usually an Austrian varietal) for €14.
reviewed
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Marionetten Theater
This small theatre in Schloss Schönbrunn puts on marionette performances of the much-loved productions The Magic Flute (2½ hours) and Aladdin (1¼ hours). They’re a delight for kids young, old and in between; the puppet costumes are exceptionally ornate and eye-catching.
reviewed
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Odeon
This oft-forgotten performance venue looks suitably grand from the outside but the interior doesn’t impress as much – come for the performance versus a palatial theatre experience. Anything from classical concerts to raves are held within its walls.
reviewed
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Schikaneder
Located next to the bar of the same name, Schikaneder is the darling of Vienna’s alternative cinema scene. The film subject range is quite broad but also highly selective, and art-house through and through.
reviewed
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Siebensternbräu
Large brewery with all the main varieties, plus a hemp beer, chilli beer and smoky beer (the malt is dried over an open fire); the hidden back garden is sublime in the warmer months.
reviewed
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Fischer Bräu
A new beer every four to six weeks, and a Helles (light) lager all year round. The large garden is a local fave and and its live jazz on Sundays is perennially packed.
reviewed
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Orangery
Schönbrunn’s lovely former imperial greenhouse is the location for year-round Mozart and Strauss concerts. Performances last around two hours and begin at 8.30pm daily.
reviewed