„Live for today, plan for tomorrow and party tonight“- Drake; Palais Afterwork Auersberg
Sometimes there are places in Vienna I enter – and my heart does a little little bow. That’s how it was again yesterday at Palais Auersberg. And yes, I know Palais Auersberg not only for elegant events, but also as Palais Freiluft (Palais Open Air). Those summer evenings in the courtyard, when the air is warm and everything smells a bit like a holiday right in the middle of the city – I loved them. It’s all the more sad that this format apparently no longer exists. No more Palais Freiluft at Palais Auersberg. A real shame. But who knows, maybe something new will come along. Vienna does like to surprise us.
Yesterday, at least: no open-air event, but a classic after-work gathering inside the Palais. And just the thought of it made me happy. An afterwork gathering—but not just anywhere amidst glass facades and neon lights. In a Palais. With stucco. With history. With those high-ceilinged rooms that whisper: Here, people danced, loved, and celebrated.
I’m simply a princess. I feel more at home in a castle than in a modern building. Call it old soul. Call it dramatic. But in Palais Auersberg, I immediately feel more at ease. More myself. An afterwork gathering there automatically takes on a different energy. And that’s precisely why this after-work event wasn’t just another appointment on my calendar.
It was a little leap back in time. Specifically, back to 2019. Because yes—I had my school prom at Palais Auersberg.
An inseparable trio
& a dress that speaks for itself
Of course, I wasn’t there alone. I was out again with my husband and my best friend. Our little, inseparable trio. The three of us against the world—at least for one evening. And I simply love it when we go out for after-work drinks together. It never feels like „just grabbing a quick drink.“ It always feels like a little adventure. For this after-work night at Palais Auersberg, I chose a long, fitted, classic dress. Elegant. Feminine. Timeless. The kind of dress that needs no explanation. I think opinions often differ when it comes to after-work drinks, especially regarding what to wear.
And I’m saying this very carefully—but I keep mentioning it: In Vienna, it seems to be difficult for many people to dress well. Or rather, appropriately.
I mean, it was better than the Longines Show Jumping Tournament (you know, I was a competitive rider for years, I pay attention to these things), but still, there were a few moments when you thought: something’s not quite right. An after-work gathering at Palais Auersberg is just a different experience than a quick drink at a bar.
On the other hand—and I want to emphasize this—there were many people who really dressed up. Whether it was to everyone’s taste? That’s another question. But at least: effort. Courage. Glamour. And I love that. Maybe it’s my Slavic roots, but for me, everything is a reason to get dolled up. An after-work gathering? Perfect. A Tuesday? Why not. Life’s too short for „it’ll do.“
Up the stairs
– back to the school ball
As we walked up the stairs in Palais Auersberg, I really did feel for a moment like I was 18 again. School prom. The excitement. The heart pounding. And suddenly I was standing there again – only a few years later, in a tight dress instead of a ball gown.
After work can definitely be nostalgic.
Of course, we took photos first. What else would you expect? The light, the architecture, those ceilings – Palais Auersberg is simply a gift for any camera. An after-work drink there is almost aesthetically unfair compared to other locations. Afterwards, we ordered drinks. And I really don’t want to complain. But the service, unfortunately, wasn’t what we expected. They were friendly, absolutely. But completely overwhelmed. You could tell they weren’t familiar with the equipment and were unsure about the menu. For an after-work drink at a place like Palais Auersberg, I would have expected a well-coordinated team.
Especially at an after-work drink, you don’t want to wait 20 minutes for your drink while standing around amidst stucco and small talk.
The misunderstanding
about finger food
The finger food was a bit of a letdown. The website made it sound like there would be small bites included, and many guests seemed to assume so. In reality, however, they were only available for purchase.
And I understand – an after-work event isn’t a gala dinner. But when an after-work event takes place at Palais Auersberg, expectations are naturally raised. Perhaps it’s the location. Perhaps the word „palace.“ Perhaps my inner princess. It wasn’t a disaster. But you could tell some people were a little taken aback. And it’s details like these that make the difference between „nice“ and „wow.“
From Vienna to Paris
– at least for a moment
After queuing, drinking, observing, and analyzing (we’re very good at that), we ventured onto the dance floor. And I have to say: the after-work event delivered. There were various shows, a DJ, a live saxophonist, and a live violinist. And suddenly, Palais Auersberg no longer felt like Vienna. It felt like Paris. Like a club somewhere in the Marais. Elegant, a little dramatic, with this blend of classical and beat music.
For me, an after-work event becomes special when there’s a moment when you forget that tomorrow is back to everyday life. And that’s exactly the moment we had. Between the saxophone, the violin, and the bass. My husband, my best friend, and I—laughing, dancing, a little bit in our own world. That’s my idea of a perfect after-work event.
Expectation vs. Reality
– and why I still enjoyed being there
Was this after-work event perfect? No.
Was the after-work event at Palais Auersberg still special? Yes.
Sometimes it’s not just the details. It’s the overall feeling. And the feeling of walking through the rooms of my old school ball again. Those stairs again. That light again. An after-work event that catapulted me back – and at the same time showed me how much everything has changed.
I think an after-work event should be lighthearted. It should be fun. It should have a bit of glamour. And this one definitely had that. Perhaps not flawlessly organized. But atmospherically powerful.
And quite honestly? I will always prefer to attend an after-work event in a palace rather than anywhere else. Because I love old walls. Because I love history. Because I love that feeling of being part of something timeless.
my summary
– an evening caught between princess-like feelings and reality
This after-work gathering at Palais Auersberg wasn’t perfect—but it was special. The location alone elevates everything to another level. Stucco ceilings, high-ceilinged rooms, history in every corner. For me, an after-work event at Palais Auersberg simply feels more significant than somewhere amidst concrete and glass. I am, and always will be, an old soul who feels more at home in a palace than in a new building.
Yes, there was room for improvement organizationally—overwhelmed service, misunderstandings about the finger food, long queues. Things you wouldn’t expect at such an impressive location. And yet: the atmosphere ultimately saved the day.
As soon as the music, saxophone, and violin started playing, the evening took on that Parisian lightness I love so much. The three of us—my husband, my best friend, and I—were laughing on the dance floor, somewhere between nostalgia (school prom flashback!) and the present.
My personal conclusion?
I would go again. Because atmosphere matters more to me than perfection. Because I take every opportunity to dress up. And because, despite a few minor flaws, an after-work event at Palais Auersberg manages something that many events fail to do: It feels special. ✨
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