Austrian nightlife is diverse, with an infinite number of bars, pubs, clubs and discos that invite you to turn night into day in Austria's provincial capitals.

The Austrian National Tourist Office (www.austria.info) offers this complete guide to Austrian nightlife.

Vienna
Whatever your scene, Vienna nightlife has it all! Myriads of new bars, pubs, taverns, event centres and trendy watering holes for every taste have emerged in the last few years. There are entire quarters, such as the Gürtel ring road, that come alive at night with clubs and bars offering a wide range of different music styles. From time-honored upscale haunts in the city centre to loud, hip lounges in the suburbs that stay open until dawn - Vienna nightlife caters to all interests and ages.

St. Pölten
Lower Austria's capital St. Pölten can easily hold its own with Vienna when it comes to Austrian nightlife. Nachtschicht features live acts, DJ performances and special theme parties, and is the ultimate place for dance fans. Those who prefer it a little less commercial, crowded and loud, will love the Jester's. The Koll and the Kuckucksnest, an old Viennese-style café, both stage live concerts. At the Drunter und Drüber all kinds of music is played from rock to pop and blues. If you like to socialise, then there are numerous bars and pubs, such as the Tritsch & Tratsch or the Pfiffig beer pub, to do so.

Eisenstadt
Eisenstadt at night - always worth a visit! A visit to a traditional Heurigen wine tavern on Domplatz square is best followed by a dance session at the James Dean disco (www.james-dean.at) where five bars and numerous events offer plenty of fun and entertainment for everyone. But there are also many quieter and cosier pubs and bars, such as the Cebu or the Dombeisl, perfect for hanging out.

Linz
Linz has developed into a veritable party haven offering an incredible choice of Austrian nightlife with its relaxed pubs, trendy bars, stylish hangouts, discos, and fashionable nightclubs. Things get really lively in the legendary "Bermuda Triangle" where bars stay open until the small hour. Linz boasts some 80 nighttime places open until well after midnight, including: Josef 0 Das Stadtbräu (www.josef.co.at), Marcelli (www.marcelli.at), Herberstein (www.herberstein-linz.at), Nabuu (www.nabuu.at), Beluga (www.beluga-club.at) and Landgraf (www.landgraf.at).

Graz
From night cafés to bars to taverns and beer bars - Graz, Europe's Cultural Capital 2003, has got it covered! Night owls can head for the "Bermuda Triangle" - the Theatercafe, for instance, is open until 4am. Discos like the Stage and the Nachtschicht are especially popular with true blue party animals. Live concerts are staged at the Arcadium and the Dombräu. Student bars and pubs located near the universities usually serve good-value-for-money meals and drinks at late hours.

Klagenfurt
Klagenfurt, Austria's southernmost provincial capital, offers a vibrant and buzzing nightlife. Relax over drink at the charming Rose am Wörthersee and sample authentic Carinthian hospitality in one of the many bars, pubs and cafés. The Domgassner café takes pride in being a popular meeting place for young and old. Music fans head for the Krügerl where DJs have the crowd in a frenzy on weekends. Carinthia's most stylish disco is the Congress Dancing.

Salzburg
Those who associate Salzburg only with highbrow cultural events such as the Festival Weeks, should explore the city's buzzing nightlife. You could start your pub crawl at the extremely popular Shamrock, an Irish pub as the name already suggests, and stop by at the Felsenkeller before heading to the Augustiner Bräu. The Cave-Club and the Airport specialise in techno and house music. Night owls usually meet at the Tribeclub Afterhour, offering club music at its best as well as live DJ performances every Sunday from 3am.

Innsbruck
As a student city Innsbruck enjoys a vibrant and dynamic nightlife in Austria with countless pubs, cocktail bars, clubs and discothèques. The Hofgarten-Café has seating indoors and outdoors and is usually jam-packed with a lively crowd of young people. Treibhaus, a popular daytime café-cum-dance club-cum-concert hall, offers a changing roster of art exhibits, cabaret shows and concerts. Those in search of a dance floor should head for Mausefalle at CinePlexx-Kino or Nachtschicht. Couch Club is the hangout of choice for clubbers. Crazy Eddy in Silz in the Oberinntal is an action-packed outdoor centre that, in the summer, turns into one giant party zone. The organisers offer everything from stunt shows to concerts attracting large crowds.

Bregenz
Nights are long in Bregenz. Austria's westernmost provincial capital offers more bars, discos and watering holes than you can shake stick at, ensuring that Austria at night is very much alive. Neptun's lures the crowds with its relaxed coffeehouse atmosphere and easy listening sounds. Club hoppers shouldn't miss out on the Calypso where you can dance, jive, hoof, shimmy and boogie.

For more information about Austria, visit www.austria.info.