I should perhaps start this off with a hearty piratical “Arrrrrr!” or some other rum-soaked cliché. But I won’t.
Anyway, if you like a drop of rum, a gin and tonic or some other spirit of an evening, consider the Vienna Rumfestival, Ginmarkt meets Aperitivo and Tequila, Taco & Mariachi Festival.
- Extra tastings, food & music normally feature, too
- 2025 dates: Sept 19-20 (rum, tequila) & Oct 18 (gin)
- Book a city tour experience* for your Vienna stay
- See also:
- Events in Vienna
- Cocktail festival
- September & October in Vienna
What are the festivals all about?
A celebration of spirits. Although separate events, the three festivals often (but not in 2025) share a date and location, traditionally taking place on the premises of Vienna’s main brewery Ottakringer, whose old industrial buildings contribute to a unique ambience.
The Rumfestival
(Inside the rum festival: press photo © Rainer Mirau)
The Vienna Rumfestival offers visitors the chance to discover different types of rum from dozens of brands.
Aficionados will no doubt grimace at my earlier pirate comment. After all, rum has escaped its historical naval milieu to become a drink of the world, albeit resonant with Caribbean flair and history.
Obviously, you have the chance to sample and/or buy the drink that led Lord Byron to write:
There’s nought, no doubt, so much the spirit calms
As rum and true religion: thus it was
Various specialist tastings usually take place at what is apparently the largest festival of its kind in Europe, along with a range of related entertainments, such as, for example, a food and bar area.
A strong cocktail theme runs through the event, of course. Last time out, this included a Tropical Garden rum cocktail bar.
Ginmarkt meets Aperitivo
(View of the event; press photo courtesy of and © Ginmarkt – das Festival)
The Ginmarkt meets Aperitivo festival is a year younger than its rum sibling and goes better with tonic and a slice of lemon.
As well as plenty of gin and aperitifs to sample from numerous brands, the event also has food and music, the latter courtesy of various DJs.
The last few years have seen an explosion of interest in gin in Vienna, with specialty gin stores opening in town. We’ve come a long way from Hogarth’s 18th century political cartoons.
Tequila, Taco & Mariachi Festival
The final festival completing our trio was new for 2024 and has its focus on Tequila, Mezcal, Mariachi music, tacos and other street food.
2025 dates, tickets & tips
The 2025 festival dates are:
- Rum and tequila festivals: September 19th and 20th at the Ottakringer Brewery
- Gin and aperitif festival: October 18th at the MuseumsQuartier
You can normally buy tickets online for each festival from the official websites. A ticket typically includes tasting vouchers in addition to entrance, and may also include a tasting glass depending on the festival.
How to get to the festivals
The Ottakringer Brauerei (Ottakringer brewery) site has a growing reputation as an event location: it hosts a long summer beer festival, for example, as well as the Vinyl & Music festival. Check my article on the brewery for travel tips.
Address: Ottakringer Platz 1, 1160 Vienna
The MuseumsQuartier is very central and itself perhaps the centre of contemporary culture in Vienna with various museums and cultural institutions. Again, check my article on the MQ for directions.
Address: Museumsplatz 1/5, 1070 Vienna