Vienna Music Society (Musikverein)

• The iconic Golden Hall can seat 1,744 guests and has additional room for over 300 people to stand.
  
• The newer Brahms Hall can accommodate over 600 people while the Glass Hall can seat about 380.
  
• The other smaller halls can accommodate between 60-70 people each.

The Viennese Music Association can be credited to Emperor Franz Joseph I, who sanctioned its construction after the destruction of Vienna’s city walls in 1857. The Golden Hall within the building is famous for its acoustics, and for being the venue of numerous concerts, which opened to the public in 1870. The pipe organs present in the hall today were built in 1907, and again in 2011. In 1911, the Viennese Music Association underwent massive renovations. In 2001, four new halls were created within the building in addition to the Golden Hall — the Glass Hall, Metal Hall, Stone Hall, and Wood Hall, which allow for more performances and recitals.

• Numerous architects were requested to submit their design proposals for the Musikverein, of which architect Theophil Hansen’s design was chosen.
  
• The architecture reflects prominent Greek influences, from the caryatids of the Golden Hall to the colour scheme used within.
  
• The Golden Hall stands 49m long, 19m wide and 18m high, and has not been rebuilt since its inception.
  
• For the renovations in 1911, architect Ludwig Richter was roped in, who happened to be a former student of Hansen.
  
• In 2001, Austrian architects Wilhelm Holzbauer and Dieter Irresberger were commissioned to build the four new halls within the Viennese Music Association.

The Viennese Music Association is the permanent seat of the Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra and is also one of the main stages of the prominent Vienna Mozart Orchestra. The annual Vienna New Year’s Concert is also held at the hall, which is famous all over the world.

• Bus: The nearest bus station to the hall is Karlsplatz station. You can use the bus line 59A that stops here.
  
• Subway: The nearest subway station to the hall is Karlsplatz station. Hop onto the subway lines U1, U2 and U4, which serve this station.
  
• Tram: The nearest tram station to the hall is Karlsplatz station. The 1, 2, 62, 71 and D lines serve this station.
  
• Recommended Mode of Transport: The hall is centrally located and easily accessible by public transport. The subway is the easiest mode of transport, as the Karlsplatz subway station is almost opposite the hall.
  
• Parking: It is advisable not to use your personal vehicle to reach the venue as Vienna is known for its narrow winding roads where finding a parking spot is quite difficult. The closest paid parking slot is the Karlsplatz parking garage.

• Ramps: The concert hall has wheelchair access with a ramp at the main entrance. 
  
• Lift Access: The elevators in the hall are equipped to accommodate wheelchairs. 
  
• Wheelchair Seating: There are designated wheelchair spaces in Brahms Hall, the Golden Hall and the Glass Hall.
  
• Guide Dog Allowance: Seeing-eye dogs are allowed for visually impaired guests. 
  
• Accessible Toilets: Wheelchair-accessible restrooms are available on the ground floor as well as on the balcony.

• Air Conditioning: The venue is air-conditioned. You can bring something warm and comfortable in case the hall gets chilly. 
  
• Get Online Tickets: The Viennese Music Association is one of the main venues for concerts in Vienna and can get sold out quickly. It is recommended that you book your tickets online in advance. 
  
• Dress Recommendation: While there is no official dress code for the hall, visitors generally dress up during classical music concerts. Smart casuals and semi-formals are popular choices.
  
• Recording Policy: Photography may be allowed before performances or during intervals, however, it is not permitted during the performance. Do check with the venue when you’re visiting.
  
• Tour: You can take a guided tour of the Musikverein building if you don’t wish to attend a performance.