Strauss Dinner Show — Local services in Vienna

OK let's start with the good:

The performance is really good and well paced. I like how they serve food during breaks so you don't have to worry about eating and watching, especially if your seat is facing away from the stage. This allows you to turn your chair around and enjoy the performance fully without needing to worry about eating and turning your head simultaneously. The instrumentalists, singer, and dancers are all very talented. And if you know nothing about Johann Strauss or classical music, it's worth noting that pretty much every song during this performance is very recognizable which adds to the enjoyment. I was also delightfully surprised when the conductor spoke entirely in English throughout the show. I was expecting not to understand any of the talking but the fact that they speak in English is great.

Now here's where there can be improvements:

The website suggests arriving before 7pm. I arrived at 6:25. Doors opened at 6:30 for check-in. The check-in process is pretty slow. And then they don't open the room where the seating is until 7. So all these people (myself included) waited in this very slow line to check in, and then we all had to stay congregated in the lobby area where it got really crowded and warm. If you open the doors to the building at 6:30, you should also let people go to their tables at that time. The crowding in the lobby space is less than ideal and uncomfortable.

Much of the wait staff spoke both English and German which is great. Our waiter spoke no English and my wife has a food allergy so that created a slight issue at first. During the ticket buying process, it should ask guests their preferred language and only assign the wait staff who only speak German to tables that have all German speakers.

The food is OK. Not great. Considering the kitchen is making basically the same exact dish for every customer, it should be easy for them to really focus on making it great. It's not like the kitchen is bogged down with multiple orders and various kinds of food. If you're only making one dish, it should be easy to make it delicious. But the food was just fine at best. I ate my entire plate. It isn't like it was disgusting or anything. But for the money spent and given how little variety the kitchen had to deal with, you'd expect better.

This didn't impact me but the outside tables and inside tables are separated by about an 8 inch (20 centimeter) step. (You can see this step in my video and one of my photos). An elderly woman when she was going to her table fell down the step and got injured. She was carried out and missed the entire show. This is a major liability. A railing should be placed along the outer tables to prevent this. Not sure how this works in Vienna/Austria but if that incident occurred in the US, this place would face a major lawsuit probably the next day and would end up paying huge fines, and might even temporarily get shut down. That giant step is dangerous and anyone who is older or has balance issues needs to be careful.

But overall a very positive and enjoyable experience and I would recommend it to others. Not sure the VIP experience is worth it unless you really dislike sitting at a table with strangers. (I did not get a VIP table but I found it hard to imagine how much more enjoyable the VIP experience could have been. I was able to see and hear the entire show and ate the same food...

The Strauss Dinner Show offered a truly enchanting evening, celebrating the timeless elegance of Viennese music and dance. Under the charismatic direction of Russell McGregor, the audience was taken on a journey through some of Johann Strauss' most beloved compositions, enhanced by the beautiful ballet choreography and the stunning vocals of soprano Arabella Fenyves.

The venue itself added to the charm of the evening, with its grand and elegant interior that perfectly captured the spirit of old Vienna. The warm lighting and sophisticated décor created a welcoming, intimate atmosphere that made you feel as if you were stepping back in time to a luxurious Viennese ballroom. This, combined with the excellent acoustics, ensured that every note and performance resonated beautifully throughout the space😍

One of the true highlights of the evening was the Johann Strauss Philharmonie, whose talented musicians played with precision, passion, and joy. Their performance brought Strauss' timeless waltzes, polkas, and marches to life, creating a rich soundscape that transported the audience to the golden age of Viennese music. Every piece, from the lively polkas to the sweeping waltzes, was delivered with remarkable energy and finesse.

Equally captivating was the Wiener Royal Ballet, whose graceful movements perfectly complemented the music. The dancers added an additional layer of elegance and artistry to the performance, making each piece feel like a complete visual and auditory experience. Their choreography was both intricate and expressive, enhancing the storytelling aspect of the music.

What stood out to me was how well Russell and Arabella interacted with the audience. It wasn’t just a show to sit back and watch; they created an engaging, playful atmosphere, making the audience feel like an integral part of the experience 🥰

In addition to the spectacular performance, the traditional Viennese cuisine was a highlight—especially the Wiener Schnitzel made from veal. It was easily better than what you’d find in many of the popular tourist spots. The combination of excellent food and music truly enhanced the experience, making it a full sensory delight.

I also appreciated how the meal was served between the different acts, allowing you to enjoy the show without missing any part of it while savoring the delicious food.

The final act by Ieva was a perfect conclusion to the evening. Her solo violin performance, blending classical technique with modern songs, was nothing short of amazing 🤩

Overall, the combination of the stunning interior, warm atmosphere, unforgettable performances by the Strauss Philharmonie and the Wiener Royal Ballet, and exquisite cuisine made it a night to remember. I would highly recommend this experience to anyone visiting Vienna. It’s a unique and magical way to immerse yourself in the city’s rich musical and cultural heritage, and it's something you truly shouldn't miss if...

Mixed bag here folks. Not sure I understand the glowing reviews. We had the more expensive ring level seats. We were sat with a table of 4 other people (who were lovely) but surely these seats should have been better than the standard ticket. They were not. We, a table of women, seemed to be the table to be forgotten by the surly servers. We had to constantly beg and wave over servers to replenish drinks that made them more money. They seemed annoyed. Ok? Meanwhile other tables were well serviced. Odd. Perhaps table placement and the fact that we are all older women made us invisible - very telling. It is also a VERY touristy type of show. While the musicians and performers were talented, I could have done without the cringy banter laced with low key misogyny. We are still doing this in 2024? “Beef tartar” can be described as cat food inspired in texture and mushy/flavorless. Average schnitzel at best. Dessert little pieces of dry processed sweets. Beverages are extra and they identify you by a number (like cattle.) You have to pay extra to check coats and they say it is mandatory to check your coat. No warm greeting upon arriving and not even a “good night” upon leaving. I’d describe this as a tourist churn. Again, performers were talented but performances short. Surly server had trouble scanning my credit card and implied my card was bad. Would he have said this to a man? Turns out they don’t take Amex! and the server clearly didn’t know what he was doing. Do yourself a favor and ignore these oddly glowing reviews - (unless you like being treated like tourist cattle and a wallet by staff who are clearly over it) and just book a real performance while in Vienna. I was fooled by all the positive reviews,...