Guestlist

Issue 105

Monthly newspaper and online publication targeting 18 to 35 year olds. The ultimate guide to the hottest parties, going out and having fun. Music, fashion, film, travel, festivals, technology, comedy, and parties! London, Barcelona, Miami and Ibiza.

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GUESTLIST 2017 / ISSUE 105 21 TRAVEL after a good cocktail and don't want to be chocking on second-hand smoke then try and find the Tür 7 bar. Yes, we did say 'try and find' as it's known to be the best speakeasy bar in Vienna. They don't advertise, it's hidden in an alleyway behind a very inconspicuous door and only holds 36 patrons. Once you ring the doorbell, you'll be greeted by the well-dressed owner, "Gary" who'll escort you to your seating area and discuss with you what drinks you might like that would suit your own individual taste. They don't really have a menu, but he'll whip you up anything you desire and is a true "mixologist" in every sense of the word, in fact, his an absolute legend. The place itself is intimate and cosy, and they encourage you to take your shoes off if your "tootsies" are hurting from all the walking you might have done throughout the day. It's a world away from the Amercian type drinking establishments dotted around the city, and one where you will be able to actually enjoy a conversation without losing your voice by the end of the night. This place is a great little find and it may not be cheap, but it does serve some of the best cocktails in Vienna, once you actually find it, that is! Austria is also more widely known for its excellent selection of Austrian craft beers, and with many options on offer, it's quite difficult to make a choice of where to go. But, if you do take your beer game seriously, and want a good selection of hearty food to go with it, then 7 Stern Braeu has to be the place for you. This place has been described as beer drinkers paradise, with a huge selection of beers on offer, from traditional Austrian brews, their ever popular chilli beer, flavoured with jalapenos, hemp-based beer aka beer with marijuana (yes, marijuana) and the highly recommended "rauch" smoked beer. All the beer is brewed in-house and the food comes in pretty large portions too! Eating You can be spoilt for choice here, and Vienna has something to suit all tastes and budgets. If you're like me and go a bit 'OTT' on the beers at the 7 Stern Braeu, then get your hangover fix at Schachtel Wirt for some great inventive local dishes. It's a small joint that's cheap, quick and friendly but the food is extremely flavoursome. It's quite hard to find a table at peak hours as its popular with tourists and locals alike, so opting for a quick takeaway in Chinese style boxes for a truly tasty lunch could be the best option. This is traditional Viennese street food at its best. For a more sophisticated dining option that's oozing with charm and splendour, try the double Michelin starred eatery known as Steirereck im Stadtpark. The former "milk pumphouse" may not be cheap, but its regarded as one of the top 50 restaurants in the world. The food itself is creative but not overly fussy, the produce used is quality and all sourced from its long-standing local suppliers with service that is professional, attentive and relaxed. Apart from the beer, Austrians take their coffee very seriously too, and if like me, you like to pair your hot beverage with a nice slab of cake, then Café Landtmann's coffee house is a must for a afternoon pit-stop. With a 140-year-old history, this grand cafe has been frequently visited by illustrious clientele from Freud to McCartney and apart from the varied selection of coffee, spiced teas and hot chocolates on offer, the cakes and Viennese pastries served here are second to none. Christmas Markets Nothing gets you in that Christmas spirit than a good old Christmas market and with it being the festive season, you'll be spoilt for choice with the markets this city has on offer. Each one ranges from size to specialities, with most offering a great selection of Austrian wares, food, beers, traditional hot punches and more spiced teas. The most celebrated, or "touristy" one is The Viennese Christmas Market which is set against the stunning backdrop of City Hall. Outside you find all the usual ornate gifts and decorations and inside City Hall, you'll find the ground floor dedicated to kids games, toys and Christmas activities. This runs from December up until Boxing Day with free entrance on the weekends. If fine Christmas decorations and handicrafts take your fancy, then the popular Christmas Village at the world famous Belvedere Palace is the place to get to. There are over 40 stalls of crafty goodness which should please the most discerning of you crafty folk out there with some exceptional culinary delights to boot. This will all run until Boxing Day and entrance is free. The Schoenbrunn Palace Christmas Market is one of the most popular due to its stunning location. Apart from the many beautiful things to buy, you'll be spoilt for choice with the wonderful food waiting to be digested, with delicious Crepes or baked potatoes with a massive choice of fillings from salmon, ham to Nutella or cheese or traditional pretzels, roasted chestnuts, gluhwein and hot soups with cabbage and a variety of meat dishes, including plenty of German and Eastern European lunchtime snacks. Schoenbrunn Palace Christmas Market location is both intensely magical and mystical due to the sheer elegance of Schoenbrunn Palace as its backdrop, and the quality of the various craft and decorations on sale is of a high quality and is all reasonably priced. With a live choir and a giant Christmas tree, this place is bound to sprinkle the tinsel in your life, even if it is a bit of a trek on the metro. This also runs until Boxing Day. Nightlife If you do have any energy left and need to dance away some of those calories gained from all the beer and food consumed, then Vienna does have a good selection of hotspots which are not cheesy and attract quality deejays from around the globe. Just like Berlin, Vienna's dancefloors favours techno as its music of choice, that will happily help you dance your ass off until the wee hours of the morning. Donau, which is named after the river that runs through the city, is a dimly lit techno bar that has some of the cities best underground deejays and even a sausage stand upstairs in case your appetite gets the better of you. If you are the inconspicuous type, then Grelle Forelle is one of those dark and shady places to catch some good electronic music, including techno of course, but just don't go taking any photographs, as its strictly forbidden there. Flex is one of Vienna's more well-known clubs and sits inside a disused metro tunnel. The programme can be a bit varied but you'll have a few techno acts to watch if you time it right. If you're into smaller, sweatier venues, then check out Celeste. It's usually very busy as it's also a popular place to get a good drink and runs until 5 - 6 in the morning!

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