Normally, the western Austrian community of Lech has around 1,500 inhabitants. But that changes every year when the first snowflakes fall and the ski lifts start their service. Then guests from near and far come to ski on the Arlberg. In winter, Lech turns into a sophisticated ski resort with top hotels and restaurants. And recently also with a yurt. It's probably the hippest bar on the Arlberg and this winter the place to be par excellence.

The Yurt
Tannberg 187, 6764 Lech am Arlberg, Austria
Forecourt of the 5* Superior Hotel Arlberg
theyurt.at

Living room atmosphere in the Pop-Up Bar at the Arlberg

The Yurt is visible from afar: the white nomad tent stands in the heart of Lech. Relatively inconspicuous from the outside, the wooden door opens into a Kyrgyz nomad tent measuring about 30 square metres. The round room, equipped with a fireplace, comfortable seating, a DJ booth and a bar, invites you to settle down and leave hours later. Not only is the tent international, so are the guests. And even the perfectly mixed drinks, such as Japanese Roku gin and Spanish tonic, are cosmopolitan. 

Just like Zayad Shah, the host of The Yurt. The passionate host brought the concept from Switzerland to Austria. This is already the second time that The Yurt has made a guest appearance in Lech for the winter season. And already the Kyrgyz nomad tent has many fans. In a small setting, you can have a sophisticated drink here after a day on the slopes of the Arlberg. 

With a bit of luck, you will visit the yurt when friends of Zayad Shah are visiting, such as Silvia Gattin, who will once again be using the tent as a pop-up shop for her label on 5 and 6 January. Or on one of the evenings when vintners who are on the deliberately small drinks menu, such as Jürgen Trummer or Johanna Markowitsch, present their wines and host the tent together with Zayad Shah.

The environmentally friendly bar on the Arlberg

The Yurt will be in Lech until the Easter weekend in April 2022. Then Shah will pack up his bar again; in one or two days the set-up and dismantling will be done. And then the yurt can move on again, just like a nomad. During its guest performance, The Yurt is an environmentally friendly bar alternative. Because no area is sealed for it. It is powered by minimal electricity and wood and deliberately keeps its CO2 footprint small.

The Yurt
Tannberg 187, 6764 Lech am Arlberg, Austria
Forecourt of the 5* Superior Hotel Arlberg
theyurt.at

Open: Tuesday to Sunday from 4 p.m. to 11 p.m., Monday is closing day