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, then the Vienna Rumfestival, Ginmarkt meets Aperitivo and Tequila, Taco & Mariachi Festival all share a date and venue.
- Extra tastings, food & music normally feature, too
- Held at Ottakringer Brewery
- 2025 dates: Sept 19-20
- Book a city tour experience* for your Vienna stay
- See also:
What are the festivals all about?
A celebration of spirits. Although separate events, the three festivals share a date and location, all 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 September 19th and 20th.
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.
Subway: take the U3, which leaves from such central stops as Stephansplatz or Herrengasse, to its final station (Ottakring) and walk down (or jump on the nearby 44 tram)
Tram: take line 2, 9 or 44 to the Johann-Nepomuk-Berger-Platz stop, which is opposite the brewery. Or the 46 line to Feßtgasse.
Address: Ottakringer Platz 1, 1160 Vienna