words YUZU Editorial         

photos LE FOU — Eat Butter First + Vigo Jansons    

PORTRAIT — Tatiana Grischuk

In Vienna’s UNESCO-listed old town, Theresa Obermoser Design brings Parisian nightlife into four rooms, each with a character of its own.

At Freisingergasse 4, near Stephansplatz and the Graben, Le Fou borrows the intimacy of a London members’ club. London-based Austrian designer Theresa Obermoser created the bar for owner Alexander Schrack. It opened in December 2025 after 11 months’ work, with space for around 76 guests.

PATTERN AND PERSONALITY

Schrack’s “more is more” brief gave colour and texture equal weight. “Rooms should feel like rooms, not zones of an open plan,” says Obermoser. Rust-coloured Arte moiré wallpaper defines the Main Room; Beata Heuman wallpaper and drapery wrap the Blue Lounge in deep blue. Lizzo peacock patterns bring jewel tones to the Golden Lounge, where a fabric canopy conceals air conditioning. Pierre Frey leopard print covers the Leopard Room’s floor, walls and ceiling. Wallcoverings take the place of standalone artworks.

CONNECTED BY STONE

A custom natural-stone bar by Austrian specialist Breitwieser connects the rooms, carrying façade colours into the Main Room. Parts of the original bar and overhead features were retained and refinished; the rest is bespoke. Upholstery and trimmings from Samuel & Sons, Zimmer + Rohde, Dedar and JAB add texture to furniture by Leta and Topos Workshop. Low, layered lighting from Sogni di Cristallo, Beauvamp, Pure White Lines and Anna Hayman Designs leaves corners in shadow. Coordinating Austrian craftspeople with international suppliers was the chief challenge.

Alexander Kellas developed the branding. Le Fou appears on Prix Versailles’ 2026 World’s Most Beautiful Restaurants list.