Historic Rudolfinum Cafe Re-Opens after Renovations

The new venue will serve hot meals as well as host performances of the Czech Philharmonic in a casual setting

Elizabeth Zahradnicek-Haas

Written by Elizabeth Zahradnicek-Haas Published on 15.02.2017 12:33:25 (updated on 15.02.2017) Reading time: 1 minute

Home to Dvořák Hall, one of Europe’s oldest concert venues, and Galerie Rudolfinum, among Prague’s premiere venues for modern art, the neo-renaissance Prague Rudolfinum complex also once housed a large, airy café.

The café had a few things going for it, including (at least the last time we visited several years ago) free black coffee.

It was one of the Prague cafés to keep in the expat secret arsenal of places for impressing visitors who were always charmed by its Old World feel, despite its more recent shabbiness.

Now after a lengthy renovation the café has re-opened; with new flooring and better acoustics it will reportedly host concerts. It has also received a kitchen upgrade making it possible to serve hot dishes.

Photo: Facebook / České filharmonie
Photo: Facebook / České filharmonie

The Czech Philharmonic announced on its Facebook page yesterday:

“After almost a two-year renovation, the Rudolfinum Café has reopened today and thus another part of the Open Rudolfinum project has been completed. The café will be open from Tuesday to Sunday between 11 a.m. and 11 p.m. and will also be accessible during the Czech Philharmonic concerts. We look forward to your visit!”

The Open Rudolfinum project was funded by a grant from the Ministry of Culture. The initiative also allowed for the repair of the Rudolfinum’s Suk Hall last year. The café was redesigned by architects Atelier Brno led by Peter Hrůša.

Galerie Rudolfinum is currently showing Juergen Teller’s Enjoy Your Life; Suk Hall is now home to the recently opened ArtPark and regularly screens documentaries and films—the completion of the café gives the entire venue monumental appeal.

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