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Sitting in the Cafe Savoy, a venerable gay institution just off the Naschmarkt market, Brian Melaugh, an Irish tourist, said: "Vienna has a pretty formal image but it also has a good gay scene. It offers everything from simple bars to sex clubs."

"Lots of older gays come to Vienna, he told AFP. Younger ones go to places like Ibiza.

In particular, people from nearby eastern Europe find it a safe haven, says Boyan Dervishev, the manager of Cafe Savoy who arrived in Vienna from his native Bulgaria 26 years ago.

Gay visitors from eastern Europe appreciate the "normality," he said. "If they embarrass themselves, it's not a scandal.

The city hosts several gay events including the five-day Vienna Pride, which this year culminates on June 14 with a march of around 100,000 members of the LGBT community.

In addition, Vienna city hall hosts the Life Ball, an annual event that over the past 20 or so years has become one of the world's best-known AIDS charity events.

This year the extravaganza takes place on May 31 and is due to be attended by Bill Clinton, the former US president and Ricky Martin, the singer.

Next years Eurovision Song Contest will take place in Austria after the country's first win since Udo Juergens, who won in 1966 with "Merci, Cherie".

Viennas best bars for gay travellers

Caf Savoy, Linke Wienzeile 36, 1060 Vienna, savoy.at (coffeehouse, open at night as well) is the pick of the bunch, stands out for its excellent location right on the world-famous Naschmarkt, with its ostentatiously ornate baroque interior. During summer you can enjoy a coffee outside on the sidewalk as you indulge in a spot of people watching and it opens at night as well. Inside a pair of gigantic single-plate mirrors provide a focal point you wont find any bigger anywhere except in the Palais de Versailles.

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Conchita Wurst's Eurovision win grants Vienna gay tourism boost