Although the nightlife here isn't as trendy or as edgy as what you'll find in Vienna, Linz offers reputable theater and music venues, and enough nocturnal diversions to keep you amused during your stay.
Cultural Linz -- The city's most prestigious and visible theater is the historic Landestheater, Promenade 39 (tel. 0732/76110; www.landestheater-linz.at; bus: 26 or 27). Originally built in 1670 and home to the local opera company, it's the city's all-purpose venue for theater, dance, and music of all kinds. Part of its interior is devoted to the smaller Kammerspiele (same address and phone), which tends to put on more contemporary and, in many cases, more experimental theater. A more modern concert venue is the one within the Brucknerhaus, Untere Donaulände 7 (tel. 0732/76120; www.brucknerhaus.at; bus: 19 or 19A). Originally built in the 1970s, it presents concerts every year from mid-September to early October as part of the city's annual Bruckner Festival. Although most of the performances are devoted to the symphonies of Linz's native son, Anton Bruckner, works by Beethoven and Mozart are also included.
Tickets to performances within any of the theaters mentioned above can be obtained directly at their box offices (Mon-Fri 9am-6pm) or by contacting the ticket agency that represents virtually everything in Upper Austria, Kartenbüro, Herrenstrasse 4 (tel. 0732/778800; tram: 1 or 3). For a rundown on what's going on in Upper Austria, ask for a copy of the monthly pamphlet "Was Ist Los in Linz und Oberösterreich" ("What's Happening in Linz and Upper Austria"). The tourist office will usually give you a copy for free; it will cost you 3€ ($4.80) if you buy it at a local newsstand.
The Bar & Club Scene -- At night, Linz becomes a little more active than you might expect, judging from its daytime pace. At Stonewall, Rainerstrasse 22 (tel. 0732/600438), you can expect a gay and lesbian crowd, although many straights come here as well. Dancing begins Friday and Saturday at 10pm. During the week it attracts devotees to its bar.
Looking to linger over a glass of wine in Old Austria? Head for the Alte Welt Weinkeller, Hauptplatz 4 (tel. 0732/770053; www.altewelt.at; tram: 1 or 3), where a choice of mostly Austrian and Hungarian wines are sold by the glass or the bottle in a very old, very traditional setting that, judging by the state of the wood, has been here virtually forever. At least once a week, based on an iffy schedule, live bands perform or poets and writers read from their works, usually in German.
Dancing -- If you want to go dancing, or at least see where Linzers go to boogey and flirt, consider a visit to the town's biggest dance club, Mausefalle, Wegscheider Strasse 3 (tel. 0650/8613740; www.mausefalle-linz.at; tram: 1 or 3), where one large dance floor is serviced by several different bars, some with independent sound systems. There is a cover charge of 5€ ($8), which gives you free, unrestricted access to all areas of this dance and drinking complex. It's open every Monday and Wednesday to Saturday from 8pm till at least 3am, and sometimes as late as 6am the following morning.
Casino Action -- Yes, there's a casino in Linz, within the Austria Trend Hotel Schillerpark, Rainerstrasse 2-4 (tel. 0732/6544870; tram: 1 or 3), but nothing so scintillating that it will tempt you to mortgage your house or spend the children's college fund. The casino contains two separate sections of different degrees of formality. The Casino Léger, open daily noon to midnight, has no dress code and houses most of the establishment's slot machines. A step away, the Linzer Casino, open daily 3pm to 4am, is more formal and grand. A ticket that grants admission to both sections costs 23€ ($37), but it is accompanied by gaming tokens worth 25€ ($40). You must be over 18 and present a valid passport to enter either area.
Note: This information was accurate when it was published, but can change without notice. Please be sure to confirm all rates and details directly with the companies in question before planning your trip.
