Kleinod — Restaurant in Vienna

This place is so cool. It’s found right in the heart of Vienna a stone throw away from the spectacular Dom Museum Wein on Stephansplatz. It’s a tiny bar which specialises in cocktails but don’t let that put you off if you just want a beer. You certainly wont be hanging around waiting for a drink as is common in a lot of cocktail bars. The mixologists and supporting staff are so diligent and work like clockwork to ensure no customer is ever without a drink, snack or accompanying tumbler of water to cleanse the pallet. Romeo was the mixologist looking after me during my visit. Although I was drinking alone, he engaged with me and the other customers to create a fun and friendly atmosphere. He was able to make personal drink recommendations based on your specific preferences and then makes them with just enough flourish to be interesting but not too showy to become tedious. While sitting at the bar I was constantly topped up with complimentary seasoned nuts, breadsticks, and a small platter of spiced ham and cheese. Great experience. I will definitely return if I am ever in...

Do not go to this bar under any circumstances. The drinks are mediocre at best—some outright bad—and definitely not worth the high prices. There’s absolutely nothing special about them, yet the place carries an air of self-importance that feels completely undeserved and frankly off-putting.

One of the most baffling things is their strict 21+ age limit. This isn’t the U.S.—in Austria, it’s perfectly legal to be in a bar from the age of 16 for beer and wine, and 18 for spirits. Enforcing a 21+ policy here just comes across as pretentious and disconnected from local culture. On top of that, the staff are rude, dismissive, and generally unpleasant. The way they speak to customers is disrespectful and unfriendly.

The atmosphere inside is cold and unwelcoming, and the crowd it attracts tends to be older and a bit strange. There’s really nothing redeeming about the place, and I’d strongly recommend avoiding it altogether. There are so many better bars in Vienna—this one simply isn’t worth your...

I’ve been to more bars than I can count — from hole-in-the-wall cocktail joints to world-famous speakeasies — and Kleinod is one of the very best I’ve ever experienced. The space is elegant without being pretentious, the vibe is dialed in, and the drinks are top-tier. But what really made the night was Conrad.

Conrad is, without exaggeration, the best bartender I’ve ever encountered. I’m an amateur mixologist and former bartender myself, and I’ve never seen someone so effortlessly intuitive behind the bar. I barely had to say a word — he just knew what I’d love. Every cocktail he made was absolutely perfect — balanced, thoughtful, creative. His presence, pacing, and precision were just… next level.

If you’re in Vienna and you love cocktails, do not miss this place. And if you’re lucky enough to be served by Conrad, settle in — you’re in for...