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 or tequila of an evening, consider the Vienna Rumfestival with its Tequila, Taco & Mariachi Fiesta.
- Food & music feature, too
- 2026 dates: Sept 18-19
- Book a city tour experience* for your Vienna stay
- See also:
- Events in Vienna
- Cocktail festival
- September in Vienna
What are the festivals about?
A celebration of spirits. Although pitched separately, the two festivals 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 big 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 live music, tours with a rum connoisseur, and a food & bar area.
A strong cocktail theme runs through the event, of course. In 2025, this included a signature rum cocktail bar.
Within the context of the 2025 Rumfestival, the Tequila, Taco & Mariachi Fiesta occupied its own area. It had a focus on Tequila, Mezcal, and related cocktails.
2026 dates, tickets & tips
Provisional dates for the 2026 festival(s) are September 18th and 19th at the Ottakringer Brewery. You can normally buy tickets online from the official website.
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. Assuming a return to the venue in 2026, check my article on the brewery for travel tips.
Address: Ottakringer Platz 1, 1160 Vienna