Barkeep Jakob Trummer: “We are a strange family”
Translated from German and summarized by DistantNews. Read the original for the full story.
At a glance
Interview
Named sources
New plan
- Jakob Trummer is preparing to open a Vienna bar modeled on the Sanatorium concept created by his father, Albert Trummer, in New York.
- He describes starting work in hospitality as a child, helping with family businesses in Austria and later working at the Apotheke Bar.
- Trummer says the family has opened several venues and is now developing another project in New York.
Shots served in syringes and cocktails presented on operating-room trays helped define Albert Trummer’s Apotheke Bar in New York. Now, a version of the family’s Sanatorium concept is moving to Vienna under the direction of his son, Jakob Trummer.
Die Presse met Trummer before the new venue opened in the passage between Luegerplatz and Postgasse. Some work remained unfinished, but opening venues is familiar territory for him. “Fortunately,” he said, it was not his first opening.
Fortunately, it is not my first opening.
Trummer counted the Vienna project as his fifth opening. Before it came the Apotheke and the Drawing Room in Miami, followed by the Sanatorium and Dom Lounge in New York. He also said the family was building a new venue in New York, although he could not yet discuss it.
Born in 1994, Trummer helped open the Apotheke when he was 14. He had already worked at David Bouley’s restaurant in cooking and service, and helped with renovations at the bar. He later became involved in preparing juices, soups and infusions. He had also helped at his grandparents’ inn in Styria since he was six, spending weekends there near Wildon, outside Graz, until he was 10.
The fifth time, I believe.
His father also ran Graz’s Thalia Bar and a bar at Hangar 7. Trummer said Graz was not ready for the Thalia’s cocktails and format in 2005, when the venue was too large for the market. He later attended the Bergheidengasse tourism school before moving permanently to New York at 18.
New York initially welcomed the Apotheke’s concept of apothecary-style drinks and house-made herbs. The pandemic later changed nightlife patterns, with people going home earlier and drinking less, though Trummer said the business was gradually returning. The Apotheke remains open, but no longer belongs to the family. He said difficulties with fire authorities contributed to the decision to give it up, although the experience kept the family name visible for future projects.
New York welcomed us very well from the beginning.
About this summary
Originally published by Die Presse in German. Translated, summarized, and contextualized automatically by DistantNews, with a note on how the source frames the story. Not individually reviewed before publishing. How this works.
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