Anniversary gala event
130th-anniversary gala at the New York Café
Budapest’s iconic historic café was celebrated at the New York Café’s 130th-anniversary gala. In front of more than 700 invited guests, the café’s legends, its literary heritage, its rebirths and the unique world of the New York Palace – which today is also home to the Anantara New York Palace Budapest Hotel – were brought to life.
The New York Café, often described as the world’s most beautiful café, remains a living legend to this day: a place where the past, the ambience and the guest experience come together to form a single, living story.
Video of the anniversary event
See how the 130-year history of the New York Café came to life at the anniversary gala evening: The figure of El Asmodáj, the world of writers and artists, the palace’s stunning interiors, the artistic performances and the festive cuisine all combined to evoke the legend of the world’s most beautiful café.
An evening amongst the legends of New York
The 130th anniversary of the New York Café was not merely a retrospective, but a vibrant, spectacular celebration. The gala evening, conceived by the Eventrend Group, brought the café’s historical milestones, literary heritage, iconic spaces and legendary figures to life for the guests.
During the evening, the figures of writers, artists and café regulars from days gone by came to life. Guests were not simply treated to a historical overview, but were able to step into the world that has shaped the unique atmosphere of the New York Café for over a century.
El Asmodáj has come to life
One of the key figures in the anniversary programme was El Asmodáj, a legendary figure associated with the façade of the New York Palace. Although he no longer features as a separate photo spot, he continues to embody the playful, inspiring and thought-provoking spirit of the place on the building’s façade.
At the gala evening, El Asmodáj came to life not merely as a decorative motif, but as a character on stage: it linked the past with the present, and the palace’s architectural heritage with the vibrant world of the café that continues to thrive today.
Art, music and a café atmosphere
Renowned artists performed at the anniversary event, and the programme evoked the rich history of the New York Café. The literary heritage, the theatrical atmosphere, the music and the visuals all combined to create an experience worthy of one of the world’s most famous historic cafés.
The palace’s interior took centre stage once again that evening. The frescoes, marble columns, chandeliers and gilded details were not merely a backdrop, but an integral part of the celebrations. Guests were able to marvel at the same breathtaking spatial experience that has been one of New York’s greatest attractions for generations.
Anniversary cuisine
The culinary programme for the 130th anniversary was created by the kitchen team at the New York Café, led by András Wolf. The evening’s dishes reflected the café’s elegance, its historic atmosphere and its contemporary guest experience.
The anniversary gala thus evoked the world of New York not only in terms of its visuals and entertainment, but also through its flavours: it offered guests a festive culinary experience befitting the historic venue.
The birthday cake
One of the most memorable moments at the end of the gala evening was the celebratory cake, which served not only as a symbol of the anniversary but also of the shared celebration in which the past, the present, art, gastronomy and the guest experience all came together in a single moment.
The experience that is still with us today
The anniversary evening not only celebrated the past, but also demonstrated why the charm of the New York Café lives on to this day. The palace courtyard, the café’s atmosphere, the live music, the cuisine and the stories all combine to create the experience that ensures the New York Café remains one of Budapest’s most memorable venues.