Drag City

Out And About In Fabulous Vienna With Drag Queen Tamara Mascara

160520_wtv_tamara_160_dinner_wien-tourismus_rainer-fehringer-670x447-1

@Vienna Touristboard/Rainer Fehringer

Vienna itself is one of the great masterpiece cities of the world, with unmatched architecture, art, food, culture and history.

But it also has a fabulously flourishing gay scene. So we thought it would be fun to have a cocktail with Viennese drag queen, Burlesque performer, make-up artist and DJ Tamara Mascara to get her insider tips on the, shall we say, less traditional aspects of the city.

Hey Tamara, Where do you buy your most fabulous things?

A full-on shopping trip on Mariahilfer Strasse is an absolute must for a perfect day in the city on the Danube. The phil  on Gumpendorferstrasse is a great place for a break: Bookstore, café and bar in one. Students and hipsters love it. The Felixx just around the corner is a cozy place to round off your shopping spree.

And that’s just the beginning. Tamara has even more tips for those shopping queens among us.

160520_wtv_tamara_342_wien-tourismus_rainer-fehringer-447x670

@Vienna Touristboard/Rainer Fehringer

Shopping can work up quite an appetite

After dropping off the shopping bags at my apartment and getting all dolled up, it’s time to start the evening out with dinner at the revolving Danube Tower Restaurant with its fantastic 360° panorama. I recommend Café Berg for dinner – it’s totally gay friendly. If you prefer things a little more refined, then drop by The Bank Brasserie. Diners are served the finest dishes and excellent drinks in the former bank headquarters. One of my insider tips is Das Augustin: Affordable cuisine and a cozy ambience–and the restaurant even has its own cat. What more could you want!?

Then where do you head? Certainly not home yet

Invigorated, it’s time to continue through the still young party night – because delicious cocktails are waiting to be enjoyed in the imperial ambience of the Palm House in the Burggarten. The multi-award winning barkeeper Kan Zuo also creates fine drinks for good prices in his bar The Sign Lounge. Those who prefer things even more convivial before hitting the dance floor should – like Tamara Mascara – enjoy a hot chocolate with rum in the legendary gay café Savoy right on the Naschmarkt: I love it. A flirtatious crowd should ideally pay a visit to the hip Village Bar. A tip with a wink from the scene aficionado: This place is popular with a really large number of singles.

Where else can you be out and about from early to late? Check out Tamara’s full selection of cafés, bars and restaurants

And the after-parties?

160520_wtv_tamara_581_palmenhaus-2_wien-tourismus_rainer-fehringer-447x670

@Vienna Touristboard/Rainer Fehringer

After freshening up your make-up, it’s time for the highlight of the evening: The roughly quarterly Burlesque party Imperial Madnessin Volksgarten Hall of Columns. However, my absolute favorite event is The Circus in the Wiener Arena: It’s the biggest gay party in Austria with an international line-up and sparkling shows – An absolute must for every gay visitor to Vienna!

160520_wtv_tamara_855_wien-tourismus_rainer-fehringer-447x670

Vienna Touristboard/Rainer Fehringer

Last stop for the party night: the Why Not. The club has been a gay fixed star in the Viennese scene firmament for an absolute eternity. It all happens here every Friday and Saturday. And if that’s not enough, there are all sorts of ad-hoc parties to head for. For example, the Ken Club: The coolest pop club in the city. Drag queens at the turntables create a great atmosphere. I perform there regularly myself.

Stop by and say hello.

Check out the complete guide to Vienna’s scene

Don't forget to share:

Help make sure LGBTQ+ stories are being told...

We can't rely on mainstream media to tell our stories. That's why we don't lock Queerty articles behind a paywall. Will you support our mission with a contribution today?

Cancel anytime · Proudly LGBTQ+ owned and operated