We’d all been waiting for the moment for what felt like an eternity. Some even doubted it would even happen this summer. But it did. The clubs opened up! F*CKING FINALLY!!! It wouldn’t be exaggerated to consider this a somewhat a historic moment. And what do you do with historic moments? You document them. So that’s exactly what we did.
No, we didn’t just want to get paid for partying (well, okay, maybe a little). Nevertheless, we set out on a journalistic (and slightly boozy) mission to show you first-hand impressions of the weekend that saw thousands of people release a year and a half’s worth of horny and hedonistic energy that had built up over the lockdowns, into one weekend of partying.
We partied for 48 hours straight and took photos and interviewed wild party people, beefy bouncers and raving DJs about how they were feeling on this momentous occasion. Let us tell you – It was emotional and one WILD ride!
At the Pratersauna
Random group of party-people, pictured above
What’s your goal for tonight?
To have a night that we’ll look back on in two years and say, ‘dude, that was awesome!’
How much do you plan on drinking?
Not that much.
Really?
You don’t have to exaggerate, otherwise all the fun’s lost.
The Pratersauna bouncers
How did you stay so fit without being able to hit the gym?
What do you mean fit? Look at me! Haha.
But what about your monster biceps?
Eating a lot and luckily I’ve got my own gym where I trained during the lockdown.
How was your night until now compared to a night before Corona?
Very calm, actually. But people are all very excited.
They have higher expectations on this night – more than usual. They wanna party, they wanna go out, they wanna socialise. They’ve missed it and you could already see this at the entrance.
So, is it easier as a bouncer tonight because people are kinder?
Well, they’re definitely more impatient – everybody wants to get in. Waiting 10 minutes is already too much. They’ve been out of the game for one and a half years.
And parts of the crowd are here for the first time ever because they just turned 18.
The very first dancers on the floor.
The barkeeper
How is it to be in the Pratersauna for the first time since the lockdowns?
Awesome. I’m keen. It’s been a while, but funnily now that I’m standing here it just feels like I was here yesterday.
What are you looking forward to the most tonight?
Seeing familiar faces and regular guests, but also getting to know new ones. Simply seeing the motivation in everybody’s eyes, because I think tonight is gonna be special.
The DJs
How does it feel to play in front of a large crowd, again?
It’s both awesome and strange. I’ve been a DJ for 10 years and rarely nervous, so yeah it feels strange. But there’s also this tingling feeling.
Actually, it’s really positive and it shows how much we all needed this connection with others.
Random crowd of friends, pictured above
What’s it like to go out after one and a half years?
Guy: Dope! I just need a decent volume, the bass in my face and I’m happy.
What’s your goal for tonight?
Girl 1: To pick somebody up.
Girl 2: Having fun and going crazy on the dance-floor.
Vienna Würstelstand’s Chris and David: This is what professional journalism looks like. Just in case you were wondering.
Vienna Würstelstand’s Chris and David: We actually had to pay this dude 6€ to take his pic.
A picture that perfectly captures the aftermath of a successful party night.
At VIE i PEE
Random group of friends that seem to have a thing for leather jackets, pictured above
How does it feel being in a club after one and a half years?
Super cool! Awesome! Legendary!
What’s your mission for tonight?
Drinking! Having fun! Getting wasted!
That’s our mission as well, only that we’re getting paid for that.
OMG where can we apply? But you’ll have to drink with us later, please.
Door dude in a leather jacket, pictured above
What kind of people do you have to throw out?
Everyone who isn’t able to stand on their feet anymore, heavily intoxicated people – they have to go. But, of course, we ask them politely to leave.
How many people do you have to ask to leave on a normal night?
About 15-20.
And today, since it’s the opening?
I don’t know, depends on how much they’re drinking. But there’ll be a lot of alcohol flowing tonight.
Some random Croatian basketballer that could slam dunk, pictured above
What’s it like playing on the basketball court again at VIE i PEE?
Well, I’m used to it, because I actually play professionally for the Croatian national team. The hoop is a littler smaller here, but it’s cool.
Do you think people became friendlier after Corona?
Definitely. They were forced to be in lockdown almost two years and now everybody’s just glad to be out, again. There are no negative emotions, which I personally think is amazing.
And I noticed that when talking to people, everyone’s so friendly and no one is making trouble.
What’s your goal for tonight?
I just wanna have fun with my friends, and play a little basketball. That’s all I need.
At U4
DJ at U4
What’s it like to DJ after one and a half years?
In one word – Amazing!
And in one sentence?
What’s your mission for tonight?
Tonight each of us is getting six chicks. Six ladies.
Could you also say something that we can publish?
Twelve chicks – publish that.
Random group of 18-year-old party-virgin dudes, pictured above
After one and a half years, what’s it like to be able to go out again?
We don’t really know unfortunately.
Why?
Because we’ve only been here for an hour. This is our first time – we just turned 18.
How was it to turn 18 in these times when everything was closed?
As a kid, you always dream about your 18th birthday. It’s one of the highlights of your youth, as it’s the last step of becoming an adult.
And then you find yourself, in the middle of a pandemic, sitting in your room with around three friends on your birthday, thinking to yourself – ‘was that really my 18th birthday?’
Of course, that’s complaining on a high level, but it is a pity.
Topless guys, pictured above
‘It’s way too hot in here’
Really strong dude, pictured above
‘I’m the strongest in the club’
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