How to Meet

How to meet creatives in Vienna: communities, hubs and events

Looking to meet creatives in Vienna? Discover the best communities, co-working spaces, events and spots where designers, artists and other creatives connect in the city.

How to meet creatives Vienna
Vienna might be known for its grand architecture, coffee houses, and classical music but beneath the historic surface, there’s a vibrant creative scene buzzing with designers, photographers, filmmakers, illustrators, and all kinds of new-generation thinkers.

Communities for creatives in Vienna

Find communities for creatives in Vienna where you can meet like-minded professionals, share ideas and build lasting connections.

CCA - Creative Club Austria

CCA - Creative Club Austria is a leading platform for the Austrian creative industry, celebrating and promoting creative excellence through events, talks, and community gatherings.
creativclub.at

Creative Lunch Club

Creative Lunch Club is a global community for people working in the creative industries. Whether you are a graphic designer, a photographer, a marketer, or a filmmaker, the Creative Lunch Club gives you the chance to regularly meet other creatives in your city for lunch.
creativelunchclub.com

Illustration Ladies

Illustration Ladies is an international community for female and non-binary illustrators, creating space for connection, support, and visibility through meetups, drawing sessions, and workshops. It’s a space to share ideas, grow creatively, and support each other in an often isolating industry.
illustrationladies.com

CreativeMornings

CreativeMornings is a global series of free, monthly morning talks that bring creatives together for coffee, inspiration, and good vibes.
creativemornings.com

Design Austria

Design Austria is Austria’s central hub for design and visual communication, supporting creatives with events, workshops, and initiatives that connect and inspire the local design community.
designaustria.at

Creative Hubs and Spaces to Meet People in Vienna

Discover creative hubs and coworking spaces in Vienna where people working in the creative industries regularly gather and collaborate.

Academy of Fine Arts Vienna

The Akademie der bildenden Künste Wien is a creative hub in Vienna where fine arts, architecture, conservation, and cultural studies meet through studios, labs, and public exhibitions. It’s a lively spot for bold ideas and hands-on making that keeps the city’s art scene moving.
akbild.ac.at/en

Impact Hub Vienna

Impact Hub Vienna is a community for impact-driven entrepreneurs, offering coworking, programs, and events that foster collaboration and social innovation.
vienna.impacthub.net

Schraubenfabrik

Schraubenfabrik is one of Vienna’s first coworking spaces, housed in a former factory near the city center. It’s a vibrant community where creatives, freelancers, and small teams come together to work, share ideas, and collaborate in an inspiring atmosphere.
schraubenfabrik.at

Dachsbau

DACHSBAU is a dynamic creative hub located in the renovated Stadtbahn arch 335 along the Donaukanal in Vienna. On the ground floor you’ll find flexible studios of various sizes suited for visual artists, makers and small teams; above there is a co-working floor with shared desks, 24/7 access and communal facilities. The site offers a great blend of character, where industrial architecture meets creative energy.
daswerk.org/artspace/dachsbau

Das Packhaus

A community-driven hub in Vienna that supports collaboration among entrepreneurs and creatives through flexible workspaces and events.
daspackhaus.at

Hangouts & cool places for creatives in Vienna

Explore the best hangouts, cafes, galleries and cool spaces in Vienna where creatives tend to spend their time.

Gota Coffee Experts

GOTAis a specialty coffee shop on Mariahilfer Straße in Vienna's 15th district, roasting their own beans in-house and recently named the 3rd best coffee shop in the world and best in Europe. The kind of place that takes coffee seriously without making you feel like a tourist for ordering milk. Cosy, unpretentious, and reliably excellent.
gota.coffee

Carla Mittersteig

Carla Mittersteig is a spacious second hand store offering furniture, fashion and vintage finds. A relaxed place to browse quality items while supporting a social project.
carla-wien.at/carla-shops/carla-mittersteig

Secession

Secession was founded in 1897 by Klimt and a group of artists who walked away from the conservative art establishment, and it's still artist-run today. The Art Nouveau building is an icon, and what goes on inside lives up to it: contemporary exhibitions that take genuine risks. Austria's only artist-run exhibition hall.
secession.at

Die Sellerie

A design shop and studio run by local illustrators and designers, filled with handmade ceramics, prints, and stationery. A quiet favorite for Vienna’s creative crowd.
diesellerie.com

mumok

mumok is the largest museum of modern and contemporary art in Central Europe, occupying a dramatic basalt lava building in the MuseumsQuartier. The collection spans classical modernism, Pop Art, Fluxus, Conceptual Art, and Vienna Actionism, with works by Warhol, Picasso, and Beuys. A serious institution that still manages to feel alive.
mumok.at

Bruder

Bruder in Vienna’s 6th district is a supercool restaurant and bar known for creative dishes made with seasonal ingredients, house-made ferments, and bold flavors. Alongside the food, Bruder serves inventive cocktails and natural wines in a relaxed, design-driven setting.
bruder.xyz

MAST Weinbistro

MAST Weinbistro in Vienna’s 9th district is a modern wine bistro known for its carefully curated natural wine list and seasonal, ingredient-focused dishes. The minimalist space and relaxed atmosphere make it a popular spot for long dinners, small plates, and great bottles with friends.
mast.wine

Bistro Fantasy

Bistro Fantasy is one of Vienna’s most exciting new bistros, located on Gumpendorfer Straße in the 6th district. The spot blends a raw, urban interior with a relaxed atmosphere and serves creative dishes from breakfast to dinner, alongside natural wines, cocktails, and excellent small plates. Known for its minimalist vibe and high-quality, ingredient-driven food, it has quickly become a popular meeting place for locals and creatives alike.
bistrofantasy.at

phil Cafe & Bookshop

A cozy café-bar with a relaxed living-room vibe, serving coffee, drinks, and simple bites. A favorite spot for lingering conversations and casual meetups.
cafephil.at

Burggasse 24

Burggasse 24 is a laid-back concept store in Vienna, combining a cozy café-bar with 500 m² of handpicked vintage fashion and designer pieces under one high-ceilinged roof.
bg24.com

WestLicht. Schauplatz für Fotografie

WestLicht is a go-to spot for photo lovers in Vienna, with rotating exhibitions, events, and a fascinating camera museum.
westlicht.com

Filmcasino

Filmcasino is a classic Viennese cinema with a beautifully preserved 1950s interior, screening arthouse, indie and international films.
filmcasino.at

Donaukanal

The Donaukanal is one of Vienna’s liveliest creative hotspots. Its banks are covered in street art and filled with bars, cafés, and pop-up venues that come alive when the weather warms up. It’s a favorite meeting place for artists, designers, and free spirits who find inspiration in its laid-back, urban energy.

MAK

MAK sits at the intersection of art, craft, and design, with a collection of around 900,000 objects spanning five centuries. It holds the world's largest collection of Wiener Werkstätte objects and is a reference point for anyone serious about Viennese design history. The building alone, along the Stubenring, is worth a visit.
mak.at

SUPERSENSE

A concept store and creative lab celebrating analog experiences — think vinyl cutting, instant photography, and letterpress printing. A must-visit for artists and makers.
supersense.com

Creative Conferences and Events in Vienna

The key conferences, design weeks and creative events in Vienna where you can meet other professionals and stay inspired.

Forward Festival Vienna

1-2 Oct 2026 · Vienna, Austria

Forward Festival convenes 1,500+ creatives across industries for 25+ talks by established and emerging voices, sharing insights into creative processes, challenges, and breakthroughs. Interactive workshops and immersive formats invite hands-on experimentation and new ways of thinking.
forward-festival.com/vienna/overview

VIENNA ART WEEK

Vienna Art Week is an annual celebration of the city’s contemporary art scene, featuring exhibitions, open studios, talks, and performances across museums, galleries, and independent spaces. It brings together artists, curators, and the public for a citywide program showcasing current artistic practices.
viennaartweek.at/de

Wiener Festwochen

Wiener Festwochen stands for a bold mix of theatre, music, and performance with a lively, socially engaged vibe. Expect provocative projects, standout collaborations, and plenty to talk about.
festwochen.at/en/home

viennacontemporary

viennacontemporary is an annual international art fair in Vienna that brings together galleries, artists, collectors, and curators to showcase contemporary art, with a strong focus on Central and Eastern Europe. Its program includes curated presentations, talks, and special projects.
viennacontemporary.at/en

Viennale

Viennale is Vienna’s international film festival, lighting up the city each fall with premieres, filmmaker talks, and a curated mix of new discoveries and classics.
viennale.at

VIENNA DESIGN WEEK

Vienna Design Week is Austria’s leading design festival, activating venues across the city with exhibitions, installations, and talks that connect local and international creatives.
viennadesignweek.at/en

Waves Vienna

An annual music festival and industry conference in Vienna, showcasing emerging artists alongside talks and networking events across multiple venues. It brings together international professionals and music fans to discover new sounds and foster collaboration.
wavesvienna.com

Meetups & Get Togethers for Creatives in Vienna

Regular meetups and informal get togethers in Vienna where creatives connect in a relaxed setting.

Websites & Resources for Creatives in Vienna

Online communities, platforms and resources for creatives based in or connected to Vienna.

Vienna Film Commission

Vienna Film Commission provides free support to national and international film productions, assisting with location scouting, permitting and connections to local industry partners.
viennafilmcommission.at/en

mica – music austria

mica – music austria is the go-to for Austria’s music scene, mixing a vibrant magazine with free support for artists like practical guides, model contracts, events, and export help.
musicaustria.at

Austrian Fashion Association

An organization that supports and connects Austria’s fashion community by providing resources, networking, and programs that increase designers’ visibility at home and abroad. Austrian Fashion Association serves as a platform for collaboration and professional development across the industry.
austrianfashionassociation.at

Kreativwirtschaft Austria

Kreativwirtschaft Austria is the national platform for Austria’s creative industries. They connect, support, and empower creatives through programs, resources, and inspiring events.
kreativwirtschaft.at/en

Vienna Business Agency

Vienna Business Agency supports creative and media companies with tailored consultations, funding programmes and networking events. They assist with new product ideas, media ventures and business development from concept to market entry.
viennabusinessagency.at/creative-industries-and-media

Frequently Asked Questions

What's the best way to meet other creatives in Vienna?
The best way to meet other creatives in Vienna is to show up consistently somewhere rather than hoping a one-off networking event leads somewhere. Creative Lunch Club is a good starting point and a great way to meet other creatives: you get matched with a small group of creatives for lunch, which is a much more natural way to actually get to know people.
Where can I find creative communities in Vienna?
Vienna has a growing number of communities for creatives, from global networks like Creative Lunch Club to local meetup groups and coworking communities. The best place to start is joining a community that meets regularly, so you build real relationships over time rather than just collecting contacts at one-off events.
Are there networking events for creatives in Vienna?
Vienna has a range of events throughout the year where creatives meet, from industry conferences to informal gatherings. That said, traditional networking events can feel forced. Many creatives prefer more relaxed formats like Creative Lunch Club, where you meet people over lunch rather than awkward small talk with a name badge.
How do I find designer meetups in Vienna?
A good starting point is Creative Lunch Club, which runs regular meetups for designers and other creatives in Vienna. Beyond that, keep an eye on local design communities, Instagram, and event platforms for one-off gatherings tied to conferences or design weeks.
Where do graphic designers hang out in Vienna?
Designers tend to gravitate toward independent cafés, creative coworking spaces, and community events. Online, local design groups and communities like Creative Lunch Club are where a lot of the conversation happens and where lunches and meetups get organized.
How do I break into the creative scene in Vienna?
Show up consistently. The creative scene in Vienna is more accessible than it looks -- most people are open to meeting others, especially in a low-pressure setting. Joining a community like Creative Lunch Club is one of the easiest ways in, since you're introduced to a small group of people rather than thrown into a room of strangers.
Where can I meet freelance creatives in Vienna?
Freelancers make up a big part of Creative Lunch Club's members in Vienna. It's a natural fit since freelancing can be isolating and lunch is an easy, low-commitment way to meet people. Coworking spaces are another good bet.
What are the best creative events in Vienna?
Vienna has plenty of events for creatives, ranging from design conferences and film festivals to photography exhibitions and music events. For regular, ongoing connection rather than one-off events, Creative Lunch Club runs monthly meetups in Vienna year round.

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Join Creative Lunch Club and meet other creatives in Vienna

Creatives enjoying lunch together at a Creative Lunch Club gathering
Meet Other Creatives for Lunch

The Creative Lunch Club is a community for people working in the creative industries.

Whether you are a graphic designer, a photographer, a marketer, or a filmmaker, the Creative Lunch Club gives you the chance to regularly meet other creatives in your city for lunch.

Join Creative Lunch Club
Thanks to Creative Lunch Club and their beautiful concept I regularly get to meet new creative people in Vienna every month.
Jolly Schwarz

Photographer, Vienna

I moved to Brussels a year and a half ago, from a small town, to pursue more photography opportunities. The Creative Lunch Club has been instrumental in helping me connect with other creatives and discover the wonders of this city. Sharing lunch with like-minded creatives has opened up new ideas and perspectives for me. The passion and energy from these gatherings never fail to inspire and motivate me.
Whitley Isa

Photographer, Brussels

I am an East London girl with a busy life and have found it hard to meet like-minded creatives but after only using the creativelunchclub once, I met one of my soul mates. Not only are we doing some collaborating with her being a singer and myself working in fashion and modelling which has all been really useful but we have also become best friends. Loved my experience and would highly recommend it for anyone that wants to network in the creative ares and you never know, you might meet your bestie too.
Amber Smith

Model and print designer, London