Even those who have nothing at all to do with the Eurovision Song Contest will not be able to avoid discovering its traces everywhere in the Austrian capital. The whole city is wrapped in stylish purple and pink, there are events en masse and, of course, TV broadcasts and happenings on Rathausplatz. But the real, not-so-secret ESC hotspot in Vienna can be found elsewhere.
Song Contest as an economic factor
In 1956, the first Grand Prix Eurovision de la Chanson, known as the Song Contest in Austria, flickered across domestic televisions. What was initially a TV highlight even without flashy costumes, media machinery and large marketing budgets has now developed into a mega-event. The City of Vienna expects a demand stimulus of 57 million euros – with expenditure of 36 million euros, there will still be plenty left over at the end. Anyone who is already suffering from the volume of tourists in the city center should take flight now at the latest. Because 88,000 additional tourists are expected in the period from May 12 to 16.
The main program takes place in the Wiener Stadthalle, but even if you couldn’t get tickets for the three shows, you don’t have to be sad. You can not only be there alone in front of your own streaming device, but also at Vienna’s Rathausplatz. From May 10 to 17, it will be transformed into the official ESC Village. After the big Opening Ceremony on May 10 at 2 pm, there will be Greatest Hits parties, the Final Show, an After Show and lots of fun and glitter. A daily supporting program with photo point, karaoke and ESC quiz will provide variety.
Secret ESC hotspot: The THELL
For some, the song contest is “just” a kind of show. But for the LGBTQIA+ community, it is an important event for visibility and inclusion. Since the 1990s, the ESC has consistently worked to give artists from this scene a stage, to break down prejudices, to be a safe space and to ensure representation. For this reason alone, you have to love the Song Contest. Add glitz and glamor and the unifying element of music and you have a sparkling vision of what the world could be like.
One person who created a safe space back in the 1970s, albeit in a slightly different way, was Franz Thell. He opened a place in Rüdigergasse behind relatively inconspicuous walls that couldn’t be more colorful. From the very beginning, his cheerful “Wonderland ” was an alternative to the dreary Vienna of the 1970s. Tolerance, fun, togetherness and legendary parties made the “Motto”, as the restaurant was called until 2023, a meeting place for night owls from all over the world. Now, around fifty years later, the vibe is still the same. Only the name has changed: The wonderland is now called THELL – as a tribute to its founder.
“We have renovated our guest garden just in time for the ESC and are again expecting several delegations and ESC participants as guests during the week. From Monday there will be dinner & party every evening with DJs at the weekend.”
Tom Sampl, THELL boss
Why the THELL must be on the ESC bucket list
Apart from the legendary “Schinkenfleckerl”, which you can still order late at night, there are many other reasons why THELL is the secret ESC hotspot in Vienna. Nowhere else can you celebrate in such a colorful and stylish way as here. Conchita Wurst (winner of the 2014 song contest) and the person behind the fictional character, Tom Neuwirth, Tamara Mascara and even Paris Hilton enjoyed their drinks in the hallowed halls. Speaking of drinks: This place probably has the best in town. The selection ranges from the “Pornstar Martini” to the non-alcoholic “Nogroni”. And perhaps an oyster as a little luxury in between? It would match the plush glamor of the location.
Just in time for the song contest final on May 16, THELL invites you to an ESC brunch. From 12 noon, the hits of the last decades and the greatest ESC songs will be served family style brunch with free refill coffee for a cool €33. The menu also includes delicacies such as pickled trout, beef tartare or melanzani tartare, cocoa fried chicken, calamari, asparagus, portobello egg sluts, carrot cake and overnight oas. And what else? It’s clear that the party of the year will be going on every night at THELL!
THELL | Restaurant & Bar
Rüdigergasse 1, 1050 Vienna, Austria
