Back on the flame, the chatter sauna tries again

The Pratersauna, a long-standing fixture in Vienna’s nightlife scene, has once again attempted to reopen after a period of closure. The latest effort focuses on its outdoor area, with plans to operate during the day rather than at night. This new venture marks another chapter in the club's complex history, which includes multiple closures and changes in ownership over the years. The Pratersauna originally opened in 1965 as a sauna before evolving into a social hub for singles, later becoming a swinger club and eventually a techno venue. A major renovation in 2009 transformed it into a more modern, tech-oriented space. In 2016, Martin Ho took over the operation, but his tenure was marked by financial instability and frequent bankruptcies. By early 2025, Sebastian Müller-Klasz, a Berlin-based entrepreneur, launched yet another attempt to revive the club. However, this initiative also failed by late 2025, with the project collapsing shortly after its launch. Now, the club is being operated under a different model. Nikolaus Gutmann, a restaurateur and caterer known for his work at locations such as the Bundesbad Alte Donau and the Congress Center Baden, has taken the helm. His approach differs significantly from past iterations, focusing on daytime events rather than nighttime parties. On July 23, Gutmann hosted the first “Dayclub Edison Pratersauna,” offering a more mainstream musical experience centered around house music instead of the raw techno that defined earlier eras of the club. The pricing structure reflects this shift, with entry costing seven euros per person and operating hours limited to Thursday through Sunday until 10 p.m. Food options include fried potatoes at five euros, burgers and street food, and grilled corn-on-the-cob with lime aioli priced at eight euros. One dish, called “Kukurruzi Fritti,” features truffle mayo and grana padano, though some reports suggest it lacks the promised level of intensity. Other items, such as the “Beef Tatar Rolls” at fifteen euros, have been noted as somewhat underwhelming. Gutmann described the condition of the outdoor space as dire, citing damage caused by unknown individuals who had entered the premises earlier in the year. According to the Vienna Police Directorate, the incident resulted in damages exceeding six figures. He emphasized that the current setup represents a temporary solution, noting that the garden required extensive restoration. The project was initiated relatively quickly, with decisions made within weeks. The decision to proceed came on June 10, and the plan involves using the outdoor space exclusively, avoiding the high costs associated with renovating the indoor area. Gutmann acquired the property directly from the owners, the Verena Thöni GmbH, without going through intermediaries. He claims the partnership developed organically, leading to the current arrangement. Details regarding the rental cost remain undisclosed, as does the total investment. Despite these uncertainties, Gutmann highlights the logistical efforts behind the project, including the transportation of ten tons of sand to prepare the outdoor space. While the focus is on daytime events, there is no indication that the club will return to its former identity as a nocturnal entertainment venue. Instead, the current iteration appears to be a pragmatic response to the challenges of maintaining a traditional nightclub in a changing urban landscape.