Who says A, must also say B? That’s right. Artisan Walk, Afternoon Tea and Afterwork Cocktail are three experiences curated by the Hotel Bristol for a mindful visit to Vienna. On a walk through the city centre, back doors open to traditional artisan businesses, tea and scones can be enjoyed in the lounge by a crackling fire and the American Bar invites you to unwind after work.
After Breakfast
The Hotel Bristol is located next to the State Opera and is therefore a good starting point for a shopping tour of the city after breakfast. Admire the shop windows, buy something here and there? Yes. But what if you could take a look behind the scenes to see how one or two products are made before you buy them? The Artisan Tour takes you on a walk to the traditional Viennese manufacturers Lobmeyr, A.E. Köchert, Bösendorfer, Augarten and Scheer. Creaky wooden floors, narrow cast-iron staircases and hidden back doors lead you into the workshops of these famous companies.
Here you will not only learn how shoes are hammered, glass is cut or gold is moulded, but also one or two exciting stories about Met chandeliers, Sisi Stern and bespoke shoes. What the Met Opera in New York has in common with Tiffany, for example, or what dirt has to do with the glass manufacturing process. Why a Köchert tiara from the Expo had to be taken apart again? What jewellery orders did the emperor place and what occasions did Sisi give away bows? Or how many hours it takes to make a single pair of shoes? What an old cobbler’s flat looks like and what it feels like to work with leather from the imperial archives…
After Noon
Time for a cup of tea! In the Bristol Lounge, you can sit down by a crackling fire in a cosy, warm atmosphere in the impressive Art Deco room and indulge in the famous English ritual far away from the hustle and bustle of the city. It is as if you are lovingly enveloped in the room. Scones, sandwiches and cakes are traditionally served with tea – vegan options available on request.
After Work
And the Bristol Bar next door is the perfect place to round off the day. Cocktail classics and seasonal specials are served here in a relaxed atmosphere in the style of an American bar. And the champagne is enjoyed from gold-rimmed porcelain bowls specially made by Augarten for the Hotel Bristol…
photos: Pat Domingo; Jakob Trost; Sveta Marchenko; Raphael Nast