Am Hof 8: Vienna’s Most Discreet Inclusive Member's Club

There are places in the world that do not just welcome you in—they draw you closer, inviting you to slow down, look around, and savour every detail. Am Hof 8, Vienna’s most refined private members’ club, is one such place. Tucked behind a historic façade in the heart of the city, this extraordinary destination blends centuries of tradition with contemporary elegance. For those with a passion for culture, conversation, curated experiences, and a reciprocal club membership, Am Hof 8 is not simply a club—it is an invitation to discover Vienna from the inside out.

A Historic Address Reimagined

Am Hof 8 has stood proudly at the heart of Vienna since 1508. Known in the past as the “High House” and later as the “Narrow House,” the building was—and still is—a striking figure among the baroque and renaissance façades of this storied square. “When London’s oldest gentlemen’s club was founded in 1693,” remarks Founder Johannes Kattus, “the narrow building that is Am Hof 8 had already been firmly established in the center of Vienna for almost 200 years.” And so, this club is not a reinterpretation, but a continuation.

While London set the tone for private club culture, Vienna had the venue long before the idea was fashionable. “The age-old problem of the chicken and the egg—Which Came First? In the case of Am Hof 8, I can give you a clear answer,” Kattus says. “It was not so much the idea of a members’ club, but rather the house itself that existed first.”

The Vision Behind the Revival

Inspired by his time in England, Kattus nurtured a fascination with members’ clubs—havens of intellect, civility, and quiet grandeur. “I wondered why there was nothing comparable in Vienna,” he says. “With the Kattus House at Am Hof 8, the idea finally became feasible, and Vienna was to get its first real members’ club based on the London model.”

But this is no clone of the gentlemen-only salons of old. Am Hof 8 is gender-inclusive, ageless in spirit, and infused with contemporary character. “There should be no doubt that Am Hof 8 will be a club for him and her, for young and old,” Kattus affirms. His ambition? To create a space where conversation, culture, and curiosity thrive among those who appreciate the finer points of living well.

A Club Carved From Time

The building’s legacy is layered—nine floors that trace back through imperial dynasties, market stalls, and medieval fortifications. The entrance at Tiefer Graben, a full two storeys below Am Hof Square, leads guests through castle walls and even remnants of Roman stonework. “The house at Am Hof 8 has probably been around for almost as long as the human desire to exchange ideas with like-minded people,” Kattus muses.

The club honours this legacy through design and detail. Renaissance elements remain intact, especially the façade facing the square. Every inch of Am Hof 8 has been reimagined with a subtle yet deliberate sense of heritage. “It is with great pleasure that I am able to showcase and present this new chapter of this historic building,” says Kattus.

A Sanctuary for the Cultured

Members of Am Hof 8 are granted access to a remarkable set of amenities that exude quiet luxury. On the rooftop, beneath the original gables, the lounge offers a commanding view of St. Stephen’s Cathedral—a serene place to sip a cocktail or light a cigar. The rooftop bar is private and atmospheric, ideal for unwinding or hosting intimate events.

Inside, the club flows between elegant zones tailored for the varied rhythms of refined life. The private dining rooms are discreet yet welcoming, perfect for business lunches or celebratory dinners. The main restaurant, grounded in Austrian traditions with international accents, delivers both spontaneous charm and elevated culinary artistry. At the Birdie Bar on the ground floor, the mood is casual and unpretentious. Upstairs, by a roaring fireplace, the pace slows, and indulgence becomes ritual.

Work, Play, and Everything In Between

For those blending business with pleasure, Am Hof 8 offers open workspaces and meeting rooms, all equipped with modern technology and cloaked in quiet elegance. “The office is where you are,” the club declares, offering members the freedom to be productive without compromising atmosphere.

Below, in the cellar’s vaulted depths, Hanni’s Private Club hosts curated live acts and celebratory gatherings—an exclusive retreat within the retreat. An adjoining wine cellar completes the experience, its shelves lined with bottles chosen to please every palate. Whether sparkling or still, Austrian or international, each pour speaks to the club’s ethos of connoisseurship without ostentation.

A Boutique Refuge

For international guests and travelling members, Am Hof 8 includes a limited number of exclusive boutique rooms. These are spaces for recalibration, for disconnecting from the bustle of the city while remaining immersed in its cultural heart. For those fortunate enough to stay the night, Vienna is more than a city—it becomes a private stage.

Vienna’s Invitation to Vancouver

To visit Am Hof 8 is to enter a hidden narrative written in stone and spirit. It is not a space defined by loud luxury, but rather by an elegance that whispers. “All good things take time,” Kattus reminds us, and indeed, Am Hof 8 is not a place one simply drops into. It is a club that rewards those who appreciate the long view—the layering of history, the quiet joy of conversation, and the enduring value of belonging.

For those who appreciate substance, culture, and timeless design, Am Hof 8 is a destination worth discovering. Not just for what it offers, but for the feeling it leaves behind. A sense of having touched something rare, refined, and quietly extraordinary.

Author Profile

Helen Siwak, Luxury Lifestyle Observer: Helen Siwak is the founder of EcoLuxLuv Communications & Marketing Inc and publisher of Folio.YVR Luxury Lifestyle Magazine and PORTFOLIOY.YVR Business & Entrepreneurs Magazine. She is a prolific content creator, consultant, and marketing and media strategist within the ecoluxury lifestyle niche. Helen is the west coast correspondent to Canada’s top-read industry magazine Retail-Insider, holds a vast freelance portfolio, and consults with many of the world’s luxury heritage brands. Always seeking new opportunities and challenges, you can email her at [email protected].