There are several stories circulating about the legendary key to the World’s Most Beautiful Café, but all of them link the events to the name of Ferenc Molnár. Many have refuted the legend, whilst others have interpreted the events in various ways. But what is the truth? What are the facts, and what are the details shrouded in mystery? What really happened to that particular key back then…?
The history of the Key Fund
The story dates back to 23 October 1894, when Sándor Steuer, the café’s first tenant, opened the doors of the New York Café. On this momentous occasion, he welcomed the most renowned figures of the artistic and cultural scene of the time within the walls of what has since become a legendary café. This was the very first day in the history of the New York Café, and according to legend, among those present was Ferenc Molnár, the famous writer and journalist to whom we owe *The Paul Street Boys*, which he wrote whilst sitting at the tables of the New York.
According to the anecdote, on that day the good humour and merriment so liberated the participants„ spirits that a group of journalists decided the café should remain open round the clock from then on, and to ensure this, Ferenc Molnár, who was leading them, threw the key to the front door into the Danube. Word of the café spread increasingly amongst the bohemian youth, and news of its success spread by word of mouth even amongst older and more distinguished circles. As a result, an increasingly diverse crowd frequented the New York Café, which soon flourished as a literary café – becoming a home for culture, the arts and creativity.
Jenő Heltai wrote of it as follows:
”Despite all its sophistication, the New York was a democratic café. (…) No one could resist its charm. Everyone knew everyone else there. The waiter served you straight away, without even waiting for you to order anything. Without a word, you were given your daily black coffee, along with an inkwell and writing paper.”
Disturbing facts – or yet another version of the story
New York Művész Páholy – Sándor Márai – the eternal rebel – New York Café
Let’s tidy up – after all, the spirit of the New York Café lives on!
The truth behind these anecdotes was revisited in earnest by the management of the New York in 2014, when the historic café celebrated its 120th anniversary.
Guests at the regularly held „Artists” Lounge’ event revisited the legend on that occasion and, at the suggestion of cultural manager Anna Juhász, reinterpreted it. In her view, the truth may never come to light, and there will always be those who argue about the story. However, now that we have such a story in our hands, let us make the most of it, renew it, and make it our own in the present, even today.
With this in mind, on 19 October 2014, the management of the World’s Most Beautiful Café threw the keys to the New York into the Danube, so that ‘if not permanently, then at least for another 120 years’.
The past is behind us, and whilst we may have our own ideas about history and tangible evidence to support them, whatever the case may have been, we can no longer change it. What we can work on is faithfully preserving the values bequeathed to us by history, carrying them forward, and maintaining the New York Café’s standards in keeping with those of our predecessors, whilst enhancing its reputation day by day.
This is the key to our success, for this is why our guests visit us and why they keep coming back! – because they know that, wherever the key may be, the spirit of the New York is eternal, and as long as we work to uphold it, it will never be lost!
