„When I dreamed of my theater and confided in Miloš Kopecký, we talked not only about who and what would be performed in it, but also about how wonderful it would be to have a café next to the theater. After thirty years, it is here“ says Milan Hein, the founder and emeritus principal of the Ungelt Theater.
The concept of the café is based on the tradition of old Prague establishments, where artists naturally met the public. During the day, it serves as a quiet place for breakfast, coffee, or meetings; in the evening, it transforms into a background for theatergoers, accessible to them before the performance and during the intermission. The menu includes specialty coffee from Jiří Langmajer, quality teas, homemade desserts, and fresh breakfasts from its own kitchen. You can enjoy not only scrambled eggs, Vienna sausages, and various toasts and sandwiches, but also excellent desserts. Our pastry chef Josef also prepares fresh pastries daily, including cream puffs and Sachertorte with whipped cream. You can also indulge in his specialties, such as duchess buns. Emphasis is placed on affordability and a family atmosphere.
“Genius loci” of Ungelt
The unique interior of the café was designed by film architect Jan Vlček, who connected and developed the theatrical atmosphere of the cellar space with his original vision. The space respects the historical character of the place and combines elements of old Prague cafés with the aesthetics of Ungelt. The historical nature of the house is also emphasized by a Gothic fresco from the 14th or 15th century, a copper bar top, warm subdued lighting, a monumental painting referencing the illusionism of Baroque theater, and details in the form of photographs from the thirty-year history of Ungelt.
Martin Šimek, the operations director and managing director of the theater, perceives the opening of the café as an important milestone: „Just in the summer of 2025, none of us thought that the dream of a café would come true so quickly. I could not refuse the offer for a unique space directly above the theater. Within a few weeks of challenging work, the café grew before our eyes, and now Ungelt has entered the next thirty years in a new, expanded coat. And I would say it suits him well.“
The Ungelt Theater café is therefore not just an addition to the theater's operations, but a standalone place with its own atmosphere. It is a place for meetings, tranquility, and inspiration, where every guest is the main character.
Additional resources:
www.kavarnadivadlaungelt.cz
www.divadloungelt.cz
