Stumble upon Auslage—“display” in English—and you’ll get a fast lesson in Architecture 101. With a layout executed with effortless modern minimalism, the night venue holds massive jagged booths, an impressive top-floor bar and built-in stairs running up along the side. All help construct a slightly funky, open space good for holding conversations.

Auslage is a slick option along the Gürtel, and a good break from those with a Chelsea habit. The crowd is fueled to dancing until the sun pops up, and the music covers a broad expanse of electronic music, from house and fidget to breaks, as well as the occasional hip hop DJ holding the mike.

The Roxy has had several incarnations and survived the ebbs and flows of Vienna’s clubbing scene since its opening in the ’60s when it was formerly known as the “Empire”. The times might have changed—new sounds, new generations, and a remodeling job, but one thing that has remained is its original wooden paneling and red lights.

Fans of soulful dance music—old school hip hop, nu soul, trip hop, and house—will not be disappointed, as it hosts various parties that highlight the funky side of sound. Deep House Mafia and Loud Minority are some of the Viennese crews who produce events here. For hip hop heads who like waxing nostalgic to the likes of “Mr Bob Dabolina” and “I left my wallet in El Segundo,” you have good chances of finding willing accomplices on the Roxy’s tiny dance floor.

A former pet care salon, Mon Ami has catered to a different kind of wild animal since opening in 2007. The small lifestyle emporium is outfitted with a bar, music shop and fashion studio to provide a panacea for all primal needs—a place to cure thirst, hunger, art, music, social exchange, creativity, warmth…well, you get the picture.

Plush sofa chairs are easy to sink back into, especially when grabbing a drink or a bite to eat—crusty pita sandwiches and soups (gluten-free and based on the five elements) are advisable picks. Come for the ambiance, or come for the chill-out grooves on Wednesdays at the Friendly Circle evening, hosted by the DJ-collective Groovebox.

The Viennese art crowd converges at Futuregarden—exhibiting artists, curators and students from the art academies drink and rub elbows here. Owned by and adjacent to the Galerie Amer Abbas, the Futuregarden’s guests spill over during events to the gallery next door and vice versa.

Facing the Flakturm near Gumpendorferstrasse, the space is bare and minimally furnished with simple tables and stools. On display are photos, painting and media art. Art meets music when local DJs like David Jerina (Die Techno-Hit Parade), Evirgen, Lady Mustache and SM48 (Wrckd) come to spin, entertaining with minimal and old school techno, disco, hip hop and rock.