Cafe Central
The Café Central was established in the Palais Ferstel, which is situated in the Herrengasse, in 1868. At around 1900 it became one of the main meeting points for both intellectuals and nobility. More than two hundred newspapers from all over the world invited the guest to delve into a world of thoughts and discussions. Famous guests included authors such as Arthur Schnitzler, Peter Altenberg, Franz Kafka, Hugo von Hofmannsthal as well as Alfred Polgar.
At the entrance of the Café Central you can find a statue of Peter Altenberg made out of paper mache. He was a frequent guest and according to a popular story if he was not found in the Café Central, he was on the way to it. In addition, a plethora of other famous guests was drinking their daily dose of caffeine in the Café Central. This list includes people such as Leo Trotzkij and Stalin who used to frequent this location during their time in Vienna. Moreover, famous painter Oskar Kokoschka, doctor Theodor Billroth as well as architect Adolf Loos were found often in the Café Central.
After World War I, the café gradually lost its popularity amongst the intellectual class. In the period between the world wars, it enjoyed a revival but had to be closed down in 1947. In 1982, it was reopened under the name Café Arkadenhof and in 1986 it became known as Café Central again.
Today, the Café Central is owned by Karl Wlaschek, who is the richest Austrian. He is a frequent guest in the Café Central and according to various reports he plays the Piano from time to time despite his age of over 90 years.
