Those last connotations obviously spring from the Copa Beach’s former life as the Copa Cagrana, a riverside strip of bars and restaurants that were closed and ripped up for the bad reputation they’d earned themselves. It hadn’t always been that way, we’ve been told by the more experienced in Vienna. It was once ‘the spot to go out.’ But, anyway, while many a thing retro has resurged and made a comeback, the Copa Cagrana ended with bulldozers.
So the city of Vienna relaunched it this summer with a new name, new grass, new bars and restaurants, and a new big and bold marketing campaign spruiking how it’s a the place in the middle of Vienna where a ‘Urlaubsfeeling’ can be found. They’ve even gone as far to dub it ‘Vienna de Janeiro.’
So on a hot day when cravings hit for that ‘Urlaubsfeeling,’ we jumped on the U1 and jumped out at the Donauinsel station with our bodies that we had intended to relaunch this summer with the new marketing campaign as supremely bikini and board short ready. The relaunch has, however, been postponed until next year. Anyway, here’s our report about what’s happening at Copa Beach:
As a beach & a swimming spot…
Looking from above, behind the sign reading Copa Beach (it’s like the Hollywood sign, but um, smaller) browned (and some not so browned, more a shade of organic yoghurt) individuals lie like sunning seals on platforms carpeted with lush green grass and on a sandy beach area at the base of the platforms.
From there, the iconic yellow and blue bridge shoots over the river to the Copa Beach’s restaurant and bar lined neighbour, the Sunken City (this name hasn’t got such a nice ring to it, yet rather has us doing playback of all the apocalyptic films we’ve seen involving water). Walking along the promenade, we do feel that holiday feeling they’re talking about and appreciate the sun’s decision to set gloriously over the water in front of us. There’s also many languages to be heard, with the crowd being pleasantly mixed. The Greek restaurant’s signs of their seafood deals adds to this.
The plentiful pontoons are getting plenty of diving action, while there are stairs for those (like us) who are not the diving type, yet rather clumsily ease themselves into the water like it’s their first time, wobbling to and fro, hand reaching out for an arm rail that’s not there. Shade supply has also be considered by good ol’ Stadt Wien, with an area full of deckchairs and trees laid out, which proves popular.
The water is refreshing and seems clean. Plenty of duck and swan poop, and people’s pee, but it’s on the flowing part of the river so it’s as clean as a river running through a city can be. With the beautiful areas to lie back and feed on some of that Vit D, and the numerous water entry points, Copa Beach earns its stripes as a swim spot.
The food and drink scene
We assume it’s not easy to attract quality gastronomy players out to a spot like this in its first year. We assume this as the bar and restaurant offerings are kind of like, ‘meh.’ ‘Meh,’ as in, meh-diocre. There are a few highlights, like the burger chain, Le Burger, having a funky little spot in a shipping container on the waterfront. There’s also the Mexican restaurant, Mary Y Sol, serving up spicy (if you’re so inclined) and tasty Mexican fare like burritos and tacos, while its neighbour is Rembitiko, your standard kind of Greek place with some good seafood specials.
Up top on the little hill are a couple of bars, including a Tresniewski branded beach bar that seems to have lost its way, and a Brazilian-themed outfit serving up some sip-worthy Mojitos.
Otherwise, lurking around are a few heavily-branded bars, like a Stoli vodka bar and a little wine bar from the Vienna-based winery, Lenikus.
So we’d say the shipping container culinary concept is waiting to fulfil its potential. Maybe next year.
What else is happening at Copa Beach?
There’s a very cool opportunity being offered up on the sands of Copa Beach for the yogis amongst us, with regular free yoga sessions happening on the beach every Thursday during summer (find details, here). Meanwhile, there’s also a funky little place, XRENT, renting out Stand Up Paddle boards and other electro personal transporters.
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