„I followed my heart and it led me to the bar.“; Kult & Kante
There are some bars in Vienna that feel like a little insider tip – even though they’ve just reopened. And the new Kult & Kante is just such a place, located in the 6th district, right on a side street off Mariahilferstraße. Anyone who knows Vienna knows: The „MaHü“ is one of the city’s most famous streets, full of life, shopping, coffee houses, and bars. It runs through the city like a pulsating artery – and right here, where it divides the 6th and 7th districts, there’s a place hidden away that brings with it a very special energy.
Imagine: Grandma’s living room, only with bass in the chest, drinks in hand, and a dance floor that never stays empty for long. That’s exactly how the whole thing felt.
Between shopping street
and trendy district
The location couldn’t be better. On one side, the 6th district with its classic Viennese apartment buildings, theaters, and cinemas; on the other, the 7th district with all its creative flair. And right in the middle is Mariahilferstraße – the lifeline that connects and separates both districts. Anyone who’s ever been here knows that a stroll through the MaHü can lead to an evening full of surprises. That’s exactly what happened to me when I first turned into the new Kult & Kante.
It’s a perfect fit that Kult & Kante has set up shop here. This district loves places that are more than just a bar. People here want community, conversation, and new experiences. The operators have understood exactly that.
A room bathed in red light
As soon as I walked in, the look blew me away. Everything was bathed in red light—not that kitschy red, but stylish, modern, almost futuristic. It had something intimate, yet electrifying at the same time. You felt like the next big night could begin here at any moment. And actually, it already had.
The sofas and seating were scattered around the room like little islands. Not too close together, not too far apart, but so that you were always surrounded by people, but still could enjoy your own private corner. I immediately thought: Yes, I’ll stay here longer. It’s this interplay of cozy and exciting that quickly made Kult & Kante so special.
The large bar in the center
In the middle of the room stood the large bar—a real eye-catcher. Wide, brightly lit, a bit like a stage for the true stars of the night: the bartenders. Okay, I admit, our bartender wasn’t the fastest. But somehow, that had its charm. It was almost as if he celebrated each drink like a little ritual.
And if you’re honest: It’s better to wait a moment longer and hold a perfectly mixed drink in your hand than a carelessly poured concoction. Besides, the wait has the advantage of allowing you to absorb the atmosphere around you a little more intensely.
The weekend of the reopening
The reopening was celebrated this weekend, and in a big way. Familiar faces, new people, conversations as light as summer nights – and music that hit the spot. It truly felt like the start of a new chapter. Kult & Kante has refurbished itself, and you could immediately tell: This won’t be a place where you just drop in for a beer. This is a living room for everyone who wants to celebrate life together. Here’s a brief summary of Kult & Kante’s reopening weekend:
Friday: „Grenzwertig“
Friday evening was all about „Grenzwertig die Kante geben.“ (eng. Give the edge borderline) – a typical saying in Austria. The name alone suggested it was going to be intense – and that’s exactly what happened. Collective Grenzig rocked the walls with house and techno. Bass that not only reverberated through the room, but also reverberated through your body. You couldn’t help but sway along, dance along, and let yourself go.
Saturday: Masters of Dirt Preparty
And no sooner had we recovered from Friday than things got straight back to normal on Saturday. The M.O.D. Summerfest Pre-Party was on the agenda – drinks in hand, bass in the chest, and a dance floor that wasn’t empty for a minute. It was that feeling of „everyone here at the same time“ that you rarely experience. Strangers became friends, conversations developed between songs, and in between, people just laughed, drank, and danced. The new chapter of Kult & Kante had begun – and it couldn’t have started happier.
A fixture for the weekends
What I particularly like is that from now on, this isn’t a one-time event, but a fixture. It’s open every Friday and Saturday from 8 p.m., admission is free, and it’s not about who looks the coolest or orders the most expensive drinks. It’s about creating something together. Toasting together, filling the new living room with life, and continually writing a little more history.
Living room vibes with DJ sound
And it’s precisely this living-room feeling that permeates everything. Sure, there’s a DJ setting the beat and controlling the dance floor, but you never feel like you’re in an anonymous club. It’s more personal, closer, more authentic. You’re often only used to that in smaller bars, but here they’ve managed the balancing act: large enough to have a packed dance floor and a huge bar, yet intimate enough to make you feel immediately welcome.
deep conversations
I fell a little bit in love with the atmosphere this weekend. That red light that hung over everything gave everything a special intensity. Conversations sounded deeper, drinks tasted more exciting, even a simple laugh seemed like part of the beat. Maybe it was the euphoria of the reopening, maybe it’s exactly what Kult & Kante stands for from now on: a place where everything takes on a little more meaning.
Some waiting times, great atmosphere
Of course, there was also that one moment when we stood at the bar and thought, „Okay, this is going to take a while.“ But instead of being annoyed, we looked around, people-watched, and briefly celebrated the playlist. And somehow that fits this place perfectly: nothing needs to be hectic because the most important thing is already there anyway—the atmosphere.
my summary
There are bars you go to to get drunk. And there are bars you go to because you feel like you’re part of something. Kult & Kante definitely belongs to the latter category. It’s not just a place on the map, but a small chapter in your weekend.
And another bonus that shouldn’t be underestimated: If you’re planning a very special celebration, you can even reserve and rent the entire bar. Whether it’s a birthday, a company party, or simply an evening with all your friends – here you’ll get that full living room feeling just for you and your guests.
A new chapter for Vienna
I’m excited to see how it all develops. But if the first few evenings were so intense, so thoughtful, and yet so casual, then this is just the beginning. For anyone who’s in the mood for good drinks, good music, and a living room with bass – stop by. The sofas are ready, the record player is playing, and who knows: maybe we’ll be toasting together next weekend.
Because one thing is certain: Kult & Kante is back – and this time it won’t just be a brief episode. It’s a new chapter, and I’m looking forward to experiencing every page.
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