Vienna / Bratislava

watman

Anyone know any good spots in Vienna / Bratislava , also info on decent accomodation in both cities. Thanks in Advance

Zaph

It's quite a while since I was there, but at the time the only bar worth going to in Bratislava was Charlie's Bar, in the basement of a cinema in the middle of town. The rest of the city was pretty grim but Charlie's was a genuinely buzzing spot. Hopefully it's still going strong.

As regards Vienna.
I was there last year and to be honest I'd have to recommend the Radisson considering...

They upgraded us to a suite ! That had a living room with a sofa and armchairs, two showers , two tv's and a stairs between the two parts and access to the gym and posh breakfast area.

T'was a damn nice hotel too, very central

Bratislava as far as I can remember is within reasonable driving distance of vienna.

Imposter

Charlie P's and Flanagans seem to be the more popular irish bars in Vienna. If you want something Austrian then around the Karlplatz there are a few cafe type places that seem ok (that's also very near flanagans). About 10min walk from there is Mariahilfer Straße. That's also got quite a lot of places and seems quite lively.

For late night drinking, (discos and really late bars) I've heard of some area (Can't remember the name but I think it's a market (something-markt) but it's a bit away from the centre. Ask people in the other bars and they should know.

As for bratislava, there's an Irish bar just off the main square that's supposed to be very lively. As for something local I dunno. Bratislava is about 30 mins from Vienna by train, depending on the type of train you get.

How long are you going for? If it's longer than a weekend, a night in Graz might be a good idea. That's the student city in Austria and is supposed to be very lively. It was also the European cultural capital last year (but then again hadn't Cork got that a while back too!).

For accomodation go to a tourist office and they'll book it and all for you. They'll have accom in all price ranges. If you want to book before you go use google.
Hostels are cheapest, then guesthouses (Gasthaus, Pension) which are usually as good as 3 star hotels and cheaper, and finally hotels.

Jak

Danube hotel in Bratislava was pretty good and central, but then most things in Bratislava are central, it's just like a mini prague.

Was there at Xmas and a lot of the bars can be tough to find, as they are basement bars, however the Irish bar was ok, and there were some great chill out bars - Radost especially. Certainly plenty of life and bars though, just not so easy to find - listen out for music as you walk around.

If you want something else to do, the Opera and Concert are very reasonable and really a worthwhile experience.

As for Vienna, was there at New Years not really sure about night life - but I can tell you it is stupidly expensive - especially the Sacher hotel. Music museum is worth a visit above all else.

JAK.

Originally posted by Jak
but I can tell you it is stupidly expensive - especially the Sacher hotel. Music museum is worth a visit above all else.

JAK.

ah yes the sacher hotel,much like the plaza in new york
It's a must see institution in Vienna though, pop in for a coffee and some light eats in the Bar area overlooking the street.
We were politely told our custom wasn't wanted in the fancy restaurant also in another part of that hotel there... O_o

As regards night life, yes theres plenty all in the centre , lively enough, everything from salsa cuban type clubs to well... hooters within walking distance around the market area that imposter talks about - I cant remember the name either as my german is atrocious, but it's all in the centre so easy to stumble upon it.

Word of warning though-Booze is Very expensive, from what I can remember,even by Dublin standards.

Imposter

Originally posted by Earthman
Word of warning though-Booze is Very expensive, from what I can remember,even by Dublin standards.

No it's not. Unless of course you were drinking in Nightclubs (read strip club/brothel type place).

Beer should be between 3 - 3.50 in a bar, guinness and irish drinks will be expensive all right. Discos are a bit more expensive as well. Shots will seem cheap but the shot is smaller (2cl). So if you get a double (nearer the irish measure) then it'll be a bit more. Bottles will be similar to draught beer prices.

watman

Thanks lads . I am going for a week in April , sending a few days in Vienna and taking in a football match and then heading on to Bratislava for three days for the Slovan Inter Bratislava derby.

Originally posted by Imposter
No it's not. Unless of course you were drinking in Nightclubs (read strip club/brothel type place).

Insinuations ( but theres a good chance you'd be right...LoL)
Was drinking shorts mainly when out and beer back at the hotel and in an Irish bar which was €5 a bottle :eek:

That compares to €3.05 for a full pint of guinness in my local.