At Pentecost, we had the pleasure of traveling to Vienna for the Vienna Fetish Spring. Austria's capital and the LMC Vienna club venue had long been at the top of our wish list for kinky trips. Now, it was finally time. We would love to share our impressions with you.
Vienna itself
Vienna is, of course, worth a visit even without fetish events. The historical architecture, a vibrant city center, and beautiful parks make the city an excellent destination for a city trip.
Gay nightlife in Vienna
The LGBTIQ+ scene in Vienna offers several bars in the city center and also three saunas. We visited many of the bars, and particularly liked Hive and Village. These and other gay bars are somewhat spread out within the same district but can still be easily combined in one evening. Despite the Pentecost weekend, it was rather quiet.
For those who want not just a drink but also a bit more fun, the Eagle is a must-visit. This basement bar with a cruising area was the center of nightlife during our stay. The staff was very friendly, and especially later (after midnight), it got quite busy. The Eagle is not an explicit fetish bar, so you can find men of all ages and in various styles. Our visit probably brought the average age down a bit.
We also attended the Heaven Party, a regularly held queer event at what we found to be the very cool venue The Loft. Upstairs, there was pop music to dance to, downstairs played techno, and in between, there was an (improvised) darkroom, though it was hardly used. The format and the club were a lot of fun.
The Hardon
Similar to Munich, Vienna has the LMC Vienna, an association that supports the fetish community and operates a clubhouse called the Hardon. Entry is through a staircase leading underground. Important: Admission is only possible if you register online at least 72 hours in advance. There are special shorter memberships for tourists, but this registration process can deter some and does not allow for spontaneous visits.
At the entrance, you scan your membership card, check your jacket and other clothes at the cloakroom. The changing area is a bit small, so it’s best to come already in gear and just wear something over it. You receive a wristband with a number to which all drinks are charged. Important: Payment is cash only when leaving, as cards are not accepted. The main area of the Hardon is the bar, where you can enjoy a beer, a “Spritzer,” or a long drink and chat with other guests. There are play areas and a smoking section on the side, which we found advantageous: there is a strict smoking ban in all venues in Vienna, so after a night out, your clothes smell only of sweat, not smoke.
A staircase leads up to the labyrinth with larger play areas and some cabins. Overall, the Hardon is smaller than the Underground in Munich but still offers enough opportunities to have fun. The staff (volunteers) were very kind, and the drink prices were very reasonable.
Vienna Fetish Spring
Over Pentecost, the LMC organized the Fetish Spring, offering an attractive program with city tours, meals, and, of course, parties. You could purchase packages in advance to participate in various events. The highlight was the Mr. Fetish Austria contest on Saturday evening. It was nice to see the association organizing a great program for members and guests. According to the information we received beforehand, the Hardon was only accessible until midnight with a package ticket. Single tickets for the Hardon were not available. We booked a package to be safe, even though we're not big fans of group activities. In hindsight, we could have easily attended the evening parties without a package.
The event's audience was predominantly leather-oriented (there were only two leather guys competing for Mr. Fetish Austria), and the average age was relatively high. In our sportswear and PVC gear, we felt a bit like outsiders and found it challenging to engage with other kinksters. Many of the guests seemed to know each other and appeared to be a close-knit group.
Parallel to the Fetish Spring, another gear party took place at the Hive on Saturday night. Here, we encountered younger kinksters and saw a greater variety of gear. It's a pity the organizers didn't collaborate, as that would have made the events even more interesting for us. Summary
We had lovely nights in Vienna, but the kinky fun eluded us this time. Even though we didn't find a match and can't share stories of wild nights, the Hardon is a fantastic venue, and the organization of the entire weekend deserves definite recognition. Such dedication is not to be taken for granted.
Have you been to Vienna? How was your experience? Share your stories in the comments and feel free to leave your insider tips here.
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