When people in Vienna say they're “going to Volksgarten," they usually don’t mean the park (the Volksgarten), but a club (the Volksgarten Club Disco). Nestled in the beautiful Volksgarten park, this nightspot has been a staple of party life in Vienna for decades. But in actual fact, the history behind the Volksgarten as a venue goes all the way back to 1822. In his capacity as a member of the imperial architecture council, the Swiss-born architect Pietro Nobile created a number of seminal works around the Volksgarten park: the monumental Burgtor city gate (1821), the Theseus Temple (1820–1823), and the Corti Café (1822/23). Still part of the Volksgarten Club Disco today, the latter was named after its original operator Peter Corti. The semi-circular café in the style of a grand classical hall of columns quickly became a popular spot for the nobility and chattering classes to go dancing. All the big names of the time performed here: Joseph Lanner, Johann Strauss Senior, and of course, Johann Strauss Junior – aka the Waltz King. And in 1868, it was at the Corti Café that Johann Strauss Junior premiered his newest waltz: Tales from the Vienna Woods. On March 10, 1867, he even conducted the first orchestral performance of his famous Blue Danube Waltz here.

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Disco with History

After the second world war, the architect Oswald Haerdtl (1899–1959) transformed the heavily bomb-damaged Corti Café into a popular Tanzcafé or dance café – and it looks largely the same to this day. Haerdtl, a former student of Josef Hoffmann, is renowned above all for his inimitable 1950s architecture. He also designed Café Prückel on Vienna's Ringstrasse boulevard. Today, what was once the Corti Café is now part of the Volksgarten Club Disco. The building comprises three elements, each with its own character: the typical 1950s design is particularly well-preserved in the Winter Garden. With its palm planters, original 50s furniture, and old chandeliers, it’s the perfect spot for anyone looking to take a break from the dance floor. Visually, the Winter Garden provides an interesting contrast to the perforated metal sheeting found in the disco and entrance area – elements that were added during a more recent renovation. 

The third area is the former Corti Café, the hall of columns mentioned above. This part was once dubbed The Banana by locals due to its semicircular lines. Haerdtl also designed the gardens that went with it. Though new, it is clear that the perforated metal pattern in the entrance area references the 1950s table lamps in the outdoor seating area. For decades, the hall of columns hosted ballroom dancing events before eventually evolving into a separate night club. TV chef Alexander Kumptner operates a pizzeria here by day, with the space only segueing into a club venue later at night.

The Volksgarten Club Disco still hosts wild party nights, which spill out into the open air in the summer. One highlight is the club’s retractable roof, which can be opened to let in fresh air on particularly warm nights. Most of the building is heritage-listed.

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50s-Style Pavilion

Volksgarten Pavilion is right next to it. The pavilion and the terraced garden (complete with its own little stream) that surrounds it were also designed by Oswald Haerdtl. Built in 1951, it originally operated as a “milk pavilion” during the day. With the exception of the bar, most of the original 1950s features have been preserved: the chairs, tables with iconic table lamps, and retro lettering at the entrance make the location something of a paradise for fans of authentic mid-century design. The pavilion also hosts events in the evenings, but only during the summer months. One legendary fixture is the Techno Café, which has taken place at the venue every Tuesday night since 1996. Even Mick Jagger was spotted here once. During the daytime, the Volksgarten Pavilion provides a relaxing summertime oasis in the heart of the city.