In this guide · 5 sections
Vienna’s LGBTQ+ retail scene is small but does the job. You won’t find the range of bigger cities, but the basics are here. Besides, Vienna is a good shopping city for plenty of other reasons.
Books and culture
Cafe Berg, on Berggasse in the 9th district (Alsergrund), is the best spot for LGBTQ+ books. The cafe has a bookshop section. It’s got a good selection of German and English titles on gay and queer themes. If you read German, you’ll find more; the English selection is respectable but smaller. Even if you aren't looking to buy, it's worth a visit.
Fetish and leather shops
Vienna has a few fetish and leather shops. Some are near Eagle Vienna and other leather bars. These cater to a specific crowd, and the stock reflects that. It's not a big scene like Berlin or Amsterdam, but it’ll work if you know what you’re looking for.
Pride merchandise
During Pride season (late June, around the Rainbow Parade), you’ll see pop-up stalls selling Pride merchandise in the city center. Year-round, options are more limited. Some bars sell their own branded merchandise, which is often the easiest way to get something with a Vienna gay scene connection.
General Vienna shopping
Vienna’s a good city for shopping generally. The Naschmarkt, a big open-air market in the 6th district, sells food, spices, antiques, and everything else. Mariahilfer Strasse is the main shopping street. The 7th district (Neubau) has independent design shops and boutiques. None of this is specifically gay retail, but it makes spending time in the area interesting.
The shops
- Lowenherz — A landmark in the LGBT community. Pop in and buy a book or twelve.
- Man for Man — Man for Man sells toys, DVDs, and lube. You can also meet like-minded video buddies in the cruising area.
- Naschmarkt — A vast market dating back to the 16th century, with over 100 food and vintage stalls, plus restaurants.
- Spartacus XXL Store — Whatever your fetish, you’ll find toys and accessories at Spartacus.
- Tiberius — Tiberius is a good spot for sophisticated leather, rubber, and high-end costumes.
For the full Vienna picture, see the Gay Vienna Guide.