|
Strictly seeing Mozart's city as a venue for the Festival and sophisticated cultural events is a cliché that needs to be unveiled. There's no better way to start than to set out for the countless hip and happening hotspots along the strip.
The ancient burghers' houses on the left and right sides of the Salzach hardly give you a clue of the hot hangouts hidden behind their old-fashioned façades. The bars are lined up side by side along the left banks of the Salzach. This is where you'll find everything from Irish music at the Shamrock or O’Malley’s with a glass of stout or lager, to the "Podium" frequented by the younger crowd, or the American "Roses" bar.
Moving along the left banks of the Salzach towards the Mönchsberg, you'll automatically drop into one of the oldest venues in Salzburg. Known for decades as the "Paletti" or "Stadtwerk Orange," the "Republic" was reopened as a café, bar and club. If you're looking for a exotic cocktails, head to the "Flip", which offers a wide range of music, from hard'n heavy to hip hop. 'Il Barone' is an insider venue for people sharing a passion for Italian lifestyle. Gourmets will find a wide range of Italian antipasti, cheese and truffle specialties and of course Italian wines.
It's best to walk along the Franz-Josef-Kai, where places like the "Rautz","or the "Coco Lezzone" offer international cuisine. If you're looking for heartier but no less typical Salzburg fare, stop at the "Würstlkönigin" (Hot Dog Queen) on Ferdinand Hanusch Platz. This is where you'll find a variety of sausages ranging from Käsekrainer to Debreziner to hot or mild Burenhäutl served with a touch of local color especially late at night.
Once you've crossed the Staatsbrücke (State Bridge), you'll have to decide between the Steingasse and the Kai. Aside from being one of the most charming streets in Salzburg's Old City, the Steingasse is teeming with bars and bistros. Mexican flair and its culinary delights can be found at the "Pepe Gonzales" you can watch the chef prepare fish and various soups and salads at the "Shrimpsbar". If you walk on and pass the doorman's critical eye, you'll find yourself in the "Saitensprung," a combination of bar and disco. Its counterpart is the "Andi Hofer" just a few steps away, a sophisticated pub with traditional cuisine, friendly service and plenty of regular customers.
If you're up this way you shouldn't miss one of the fixed stars in Salzburg's cultural heavens. The "Rockhouse" in the Schallmooser Hauptstrasse is where the full spectrum ranging from jazz, rock, pop, folk, blues, metal, punk, funk, hip hop, crossover to contemporary music and avant-garde is at home. A side-trip to the Priesterhausgasse is absolutely worthwhile. "Der fidele Affe," for example, another one of Salzburg's perennial favorites where guests dine on hearty Austrian dishes in a casual atmosphere. A similar atmosphere is found at the "Mattseer Stiftskeller," which is really found down in the cellar and popular with students and musicians from the Mozarteum, often letting guests in on an ad-lib live session.
If you prefer to stay in the inner zone, you should head for the Giselakai. From Salzburg's senior nightclub, the "Chez Roland," "Daimler’s" with a bar on the ground floor and outstanding restaurant on the first floor. If you work your way past the Mozart Footbridge heading upstream, a visit to the "Living Room Bazillus" on the waterfront with its al fresco dining and breathtaking view of the Old City and Fortress is a must.
A visit to the Nonntal in the southwestern part of town will also be rewarding. Here you'll find the "ARGE Kultur Salzburg" with its "ARGE Beisl," a cozy bistro with excellent food, a colorful clientele, and the ever-popular Pizzeria "SOG," which offers night owls warm meals until midnight.
|
