Vienna Coffeehouse Conversations

Strangers sit down to eat or drink together, with a menu of questions to ask each other. The questions lead to stories among participants, and the evening is an adventure in storytelling. We want to revive the spirit of debate that existed in the coffeehouses 100 years ago.

The events are in English to allow people from all over the world to take part. After a brief introduction from us at Whoosh, you meet someone and enjoy the relaxed atmosphere.

Questions range from 'What was your best-ever mistake?', to 'Who has been your mentor?'. They are easy to understand, but difficult to answer. Previous dinners have led to weeks of email exchanges, where the pair continued to discuss the ideas presented. Other questions explore travel, friendship, work and inspiration.

Our aim is to introduce outsiders and locals, one to one. For us, visitors - or outsiders - include musicians, conference attendees, resident diplomats and cultural travellers.

Look at the Tischgespraeche page on our site to learn more about the concept of a conversation meal, which we first staged in April 2012 (in German, at Wien Museum).

The Vienna Coffeehouse Conversations build on Oxford University professor Theodore Zeldin's Conversation Meals, which have taken place as part of street festivals, in art galleries from London to Singapore, and at the World Economic Forum in Davos.

The Guardian visited this event in 2018, and wrote some lovely analysis of their experience. Over 70 international publications have reported about the concept, including Conde Nast Traveler, in December 2021. We adapted the concept for a Grenzlandgespraech, to close Sterischer Herbst in 2016, curated by Veronica Kaup Hasler (now Vienna Kulturstadträtin).

Reviews of Coffeehouse Conversations on Trip Advisor

'I never wanted the evening to end.'

'This man, in two hours, expanded my world view in ways I'm still processing.'

'So refreshing to do away with the "small talk" and talk freely with nothing off the table. Wish we had it where I live in NYC.'

'The idea of the coffeehouse meeting between "locals" and "strangers" is truly unique and very worthwhile.'

FAQs

Vienna Coffeehouse Conversations At Café Ministerium

Georg Coch-Platz 4, 1010 Wien

Café Ministerium is a plush local favourite. Voted the most popular coffeehouse in the city centre, civil servants from surrounding ministries love to lunch here on red velvety seats and marble tables. The Ministerium also serves as the 'extended living room' for a few regulars' tables and club meetings.

The café is on the Ring, just up the road from the Museum of Applied Arts (MAK). You can choose what to eat or drink on the evening.

Please register by sending Eugene an email, saying which date you will attend, and where you are from.

Cost: €11. Please bring cash, since the cafe does not accept cards.

Couples and small groups are welcome.

This idea can be adapted for birthdays, conferences or office parties. Please call Eugene for more details.

Future Dates:

12 Dec