Already more than seven euros – ‘With these prices I prefer to drink punch at home’

Even before the first Christmas market opens, there is already a commotion about the prices. The largest and ever popular ‘Vienna Christmas Dream’ is particularly shocking with its bold prizes. A cup of Schilcher mulled wine or orange punch costs 7.50 euros. Adding the amount of tea amounts to 12.50 euros. Is the pre-Christmas punch worth that much to the Viennese? Where is the pain threshold?

We asked around in the city hall park. “I don’t pay more than seven euros for a mulled wine,” says Julia Karaian. The hot drink may cost a maximum of five euros, everything else is too expensive. Belgian tourist Luc Van Eek goes even further: “A cup of punch is worth three euros to me, but not more than double!” He consciously avoids the Christmas markets.

“Seven euros with a small amount of tea is my personal maximum”
But the Viennese themselves are also annoyed by the prices. “Seven euros with small bets is my personal maximum. Anything else is unacceptable, especially in these times. “I prefer to make a punch at home, it tastes better and is much cheaper,” says Tanja Schnedlitz. Robert Keindel, on the other hand, sees it more relaxed. He doesn’t punch often, but when he does he enjoys a few bowls and isn’t concerned about the prize. Radoslav Podhorsky even thinks 7.50 euros for a blow is cheap. “The costs of rent and electricity for the exhibitors have risen considerably, the business must be profitable,” says the restaurateur. Hardly anyone pays attention to money at the Christmas market, says the 48-year-old.

It remains to be seen whether he is right and whether the Viennese will not let the steep prices spoil the fun of punching.