2 Best Bars in Salzburg, Austria

One of the largest beer cellars in Europe and the only one of its kind in Austria, the celebrated Augustinerbräu is at the north end of the Mönchsberg, a short walk from the Old City. Pick up a stone jug of strong, frothy, 10-week aged Märzen beer, made using the same recipe since 1621 and served directly from wooden kegs. With communal, dark-wood tables and beautifully restored chandeliers, the halls overflow with cheerful locals, and outside, where massive chestnut trees shade the sprawling garden, you'll find a complete cross section of Salzburg society. If you're feeling hungry, shops in the huge monastery complex sell a vast array of salads, breads, and pastries, as well as sausages and spit-roasted chicken. Advent and Lent offer special beers, because the Catholic church decreed that "drinking does not interrupt fasting." You can tour the brewery by appointment on weekday afternoons (€16.90 per person); call or register online.

This cozy little bar on the narrow Steingasse serves well-crafted drinks, an extensive selection of Austrian wines, antipasti, cold smoked locally caught fish, and small portions of savory Austrian favorites like Faschierte Laibchen (finely minced meatballs) with bread and pickles; and Krautfleckerl (square pasta with caramelized onions, shredded white cabbage, sweet wine and cumin). Eclectic music runs the gamut from Tarantino soundtracks to Italian music to jazz. In summer, the garden's open until midnight.