Every city worth going has them: trendy locales that are an integral part of its nightlife. Of course Vienna, the most livable city in the world, has some iconic institutions of its own. Sooner or later, just about every lover of excellent cocktails, good music, eclectic interiors, and award-worthy cuisine will have ended up at Motto. For 50 years straight now.

True legends simply don't show their age. © THELL

Come as you are

It celebrated its origin in 1973. Founded by Franz Thell, the pub in Rüdigergasse quickly became a place where joie de vivre took center stage, bringing color to the gray Vienna of the 1970s. An urban meeting place for tolerance, a colorful "wonderland" whose reputation quickly spread beyond the district, city and national borders.

Eat, drink, have fun: The motto of every successful night. © THELL

In 2013, Tom Sampl bought the cult pub from then owner Bernd Schlacher. Since then, Sampl has been running the original motto independently of the rest of the Motto group, which includes a restaurant on the Danube Canal and, as of 2021, a 5-star hotel on Mariahilfer Straße. "In order to preserve this independence and to lead this beautiful place into a new era, it's now time for a new name," says Sampl. The choice fell on THELL.

Tribute to the founder

"On the occasion of the 50th anniversary of its existence and the 10th anniversary of the death of our great founder Franz Thell, our little legend in the fifth will henceforth run under the name THELL," announced the owner at the turn of the year. And adds, "The motto remains the same, only the name has changed."

The team at THELL: owner Tom Sampl (left) and restaurant manager Marco Hofbauer (right). © THELL

In fact, regulars and those who want to become one can look forward to the much-lauded Schinkenfleckerl pasta dish, cocktails, the beautiful garden and an ever lovely crew. Alongside the charismatic owner, Marco Hofbauer acts as the charming restaurant manager on the front line. 

Insider tip for cozy summer evenings: the enchanted garden. © THELL

In terms of furnishings, everything remains as usual for the time being. As before, you can admire the result of a collaboration between interior designer Laura Karasinski and architect Gerd Zehetner. Green plush sofas complement the plastic dolls on the ceiling, which, as legend has it, sometimes wear little wings. Marble tables, a fresco by Sascha Vernik and Franz Varna – plus the old motto: "Baby, Why Would You Ever Leave Wonderland?"

THELL | Restaurant & Bar
Rüdigergasse 1, 1050 Vienna, Austria
Web: thell.restaurant
Tel: + 43 1 587 06 72