3 reviewed party hostels · from €14.00/night · Hostelworld rated
Salzburg’s nightlife doesn’t shout, but it knows how to deliver. Head to **Gstättengasse** in the old town after midnight, and you’ll find students and travellers spilling out of bars like **Rockhouse** or **Republic**. The hostel scene here is small but sharp. **Yoho International Youth Hostel** has been packing in backpackers since 1978, and its bar is the default warm-up spot before a night out. If you want a quieter stay but still want to be within walking distance of the action, **a&o Salzburg Hauptbahnhof** puts you ten minutes from the train station and the same from the clubs. Most hostels organise their own bar crawls or pub quizzes, so you won’t struggle to meet people.
Rated by Hostelworld score · Prices per dorm bed per night
Yoho International Youth Hostel Salzburg has been a lively hub for backpackers since 1978. Located just minutes from Salzburg's main attractions, this hostel is part of "Europe's Famous Hostels." After exploring, guests unwind with beers at the bar, mingle in common areas, or snack from vending machines, embodying the perfect blend of fun and convenience.
MEININGER Salzburg City Center embodies the ultimate party hostel vibe. Nestled near Salzburg's old town, this hostel not only offers proximity to historic sights but also boasts vibrant social spaces. Guests gather in the bar for pool, table football, or karaoke, making new friends while enjoying the laid-back, international atmosphere. Perfect for a lively stay in Salzburg.
At a&o Salzburg Hauptbahnhof, the party never stops. This vibrant hostel attracts an international crowd, ensuring the lobby bar buzzes with energy, serving drinks and snacks day and night. Located just steps from Salzburg's main attractions, it offers a cosmopolitan atmosphere where guests from around the world meet and mingle, perfect for fun-loving travellers.
Organised nights out with a local guide
Starts at **Linzergasse 68** at 9 PM, where the guide waits for 15 minutes before heading to the first bar. The crawl visits four venues, including **Rockhouse** and **Republic**, and includes a free shot at each stop. The guide is usually a local or long-term traveller who knows the bouncers, so you might skip a queue or two.
Organised by Yoho Hostel, this crawl starts in their bar at 8:30 PM. It’s cheaper than the commercial crawls (€10) and includes a free shot at the hostel plus discounts at partner bars. The group is smaller, so it’s easier to make friends. They usually end at **Die Weisse** or **Republic** around midnight.
How Salzburg's nightlife zones break down
The postcard part of Salzburg, with Mozart’s birthplace and the fortress looming overhead. **Gstättengasse** is the main nightlife strip, packed with bars and late-night kebab shops. During the day, it’s tourist central, but after dark, the crowds thin out and the bars fill up with students. Hostels here are pricier, but you’re within walking distance of everything.
The area around the main train station. It’s not pretty, but it’s where you’ll find the cheapest hostels and supermarkets. **Yoho Hostel** is here, along with a few late-night supermarkets and a 24-hour McDonald’s. Nightlife is limited, but you’re a 15-minute walk from the old town bars.
A residential neighbourhood just west of the old town. It’s quieter, but **Die Weisse** and **Rockhouse** are here, so it’s a good base if you want to be near the clubs without paying old town prices. The **Salzach River** runs along the edge, and there are a few hidden beer gardens if you know where to look.
Where the hostel pub crawls end up, and where to go on your own
This is where most backpackers start the night. The bar is cheap: €4 for a pint of local lager: and the crowd is a mix of solo travellers and groups. It gets busy from 9 PM, especially on nights when the hostel organises a pub crawl. Expect loud music, cheap shots, and a whiteboard listing tonight’s bar-hopping route.
A grungy basement club under a music school. Live bands play most nights: rock, punk, and metal: before the DJ takes over around midnight. Entry is €8–12, which includes a drink. The crowd is local students and travellers who’ve heard about it from hostel staff. It’s a five-minute walk from Yoho Hostel.
A two-floor club with a terrace overlooking the river. Upstairs is chart and dance, downstairs is hip-hop and R&B. Entry is €10 after 11 PM, but it’s free before then. Drinks cost €6–8. It’s popular with Erasmus students, so it’s a good spot if you want to meet people who aren’t just passing through.
A massive beer garden with a club attached. During the day, it’s all about the wheat beer and schnitzel. After 10 PM, the indoor club opens with techno and house DJs. Entry is €12, which includes a drink. It’s a 15-minute walk from the old town, but the garden is a great place to warm up before the club kicks off.
A tiny cocktail bar with a speakeasy vibe. The menu is short but well-made: expect to pay €9–12 for a drink. It’s a good spot for a quieter start to the night or a late-night cocktail if you’re not ready to go home. The barman will chat if it’s not too busy, and he knows every hostel in town.
Not a club, but a must-visit if you like beer. This 17th-century brewery serves litre steins for €4.50. The garden fills up with locals and tourists, and you can bring your own food. It’s a 20-minute walk from the centre, but worth it for the atmosphere. Open until 11 PM.