History of Flanagans Pub – A True Irish Original in Vienna
Flanagans Pub has been a fixture in Vienna’s city center since 1996, offering an authentic slice of Irish pub culture just a short walk from the Schwarzenbergplatz and the State Opera. Its story is rooted in a desire to bring the real spirit of Ireland to Austria – not as a novelty, but as a genuine social space that captures the charm, camaraderie, and comfort of a traditional pub.
The idea came from two Irish expats, Alan Field and Eddie Bohan, who saw a gap in the Viennese hospitality scene. While bars and cafés were abundant, nothing quite matched the relaxed sociability of a proper Irish pub – somewhere to linger, talk, watch a match, or enjoy a simple but hearty meal. So, rather than build a caricature of a pub, the founders took a different approach: they built Flanagans from the ground up using materials imported from Ireland. Many of the furnishings – wood paneling, bar fittings, even vintage signage – were sourced from old pubs in the Irish countryside, then carefully transported to Vienna and reconstructed with attention to detail.
From the beginning, the pub struck a chord with Vienna’s international community. It quickly became a gathering point for English speakers, expats, exchange students, and Irish locals looking for a familiar setting. But Flanagans didn’t stop there – it also won over the Viennese, who appreciated its easygoing nature and consistent quality.
Throughout the late 1990s and early 2000s, the pub cemented its role as the go-to spot for live sports, especially football, rugby, and GAA. On match days, the atmosphere inside is electric, with fans packed in shoulder to shoulder, pints in hand, eyes locked on the screens. The pub has also hosted countless live music sessions, themed quiz nights, St. Patrick’s Day celebrations, and even low-key whiskey tastings for connoisseurs.
Unlike some other “Irish pubs” abroad that tend to rely on themed décor and heavy marketing, Flanagans has always relied on word of mouth. Its reputation grew through consistency. The Guinness is poured the way it should be. And perhaps most importantly, it has never lost that intangible quality that defines a true pub – it feels like home, even if it’s far from where you started.
Today, nearly three decades later, Flanagans continues to thrive. It’s a living room for Vienna’s international crowd, a dependable haunt for locals, and a comforting stop for travelers craving a familiar atmosphere and a well-poured pint. Its legacy lies not in chasing trends, but in staying true to its roots – genuine, sociable, and effortlessly timeless.
