Must-see nightlife in Switzerland

  • Frau Gerolds Garten

    Zürich

    Hmm, where to start? The wine bar? The margarita bar? The gin bar? Whichever poison you choose, this wildly popular focal point of Zürich's summer…

  • Bar HR Giger

    Fribourg, Drei-Seen-Land and The Jura

    Sip absinthe or cocktails with names like Bambi Alien Blood at this insanely trippy cafe-by-day/bar for a few hours, kitted out in the style of theHR…

  • Rimini Bar

    Zürich

    Secluded behind a fence along the Sihl River, this bar at the Männerbad public baths is one of Zürich's most inviting open-air drinking spots. Its vast…

  • Les Arches

    Lausanne

    Occupying four arches of Lausanne’s magnificent Grand Pont (built between 1839 and 1940) above Place de l’Europe, this is the perfect port of call for…

  • Village du Soir

    Geneva

    Get in quick to enjoy the 'Village of the Night', which has a five-year lease (from 2017) to repurpose an industrial site by Geneva Stadium. Until they're…

  • Le Non-Stop

    Vevey

    This bar-and-burger joint looks more like a British pub than anything else, and the crowd that mills around it smiling all day certainly adds to that…

  • Yvette de Marseille

    Geneva

    No bar begs the question 'what's in the name?' more than this buzzy drinking hole. Urban and edgy, it occupies a mechanic's workshop once owned by Yvette…

  • Kapitel Bollwerk

    Bern

    Starting as a restaurant where businesspeople come for light, healthy lunches, this award-winning venue morphs by evening into a bar recognised around…

  • La Buvette du Bateau

    Geneva

    Few terraces are as dreamy as this. Moored permanently by the quay near Jet d'Eau, this fabulous belle époque paddle steamer, with flower boxes adorning…

  • Great Escape

    Lausanne

    Everyone knows the Great Escape, a busy student pub with pub grub (great burgers) and an enviable terrace with a view over Pl de la Riponne. From the…

  • Das Viertel

    Basel

    East from the SBB Bahnhof along the railway tracks, this rooftop bar draws crowds all week to its sun-drenched terrace. On weekends it morphs into a club,…

  • Old Crow, exterior

    Old Crow

    Zürich

    This atmospheric backstreet bar boasts more than 1600 rare spirits, with a particular focus on whiskies handpicked from the owner’s personal collection…

  • Atelier Classic Bar

    Bernese Oberland

    There's a pinch of magic in the mixology at this award-winning cocktail bar, which is way up there with Switzerland's best. Antique furnishings, low…

  • Clouds

    Zürich

    Zürich seems unfathomably tiny from the heights of this backlit, glass-fronted lounge bar on the 35th floor of the Prime Tower in the happening 5th…

  • Hive Club

    Zürich

    Electronic music creates the buzz at this artsy, alternative club (cover Sfr35) adjacent to Frau Gerolds Garten in Kreis 5. Enter through an alley strung…

  • Hennu Stall

    Zermatt

    Last one down to this snowbound ‘chicken run’ is a rotten egg. Hennu is the wildest après-ski shack on Klein Matterhorn, located below Fri on the way to…

  • Ta Cave

    Geneva

    Waving the flag as Switzerland’s first crowdfunded bistro-bar, petite Ta Cave is an utterly chilled, cosy and highly sociable hang-out for a glass of…

  • Barfussbar

    Zürich

    The Frauenbad public bath (only open to women during the day) opens its doors to some refreshing nocturnal bar action. Up to 150 men are allowed into the…

  • Déjà-vu

    Lucerne

    Packed and unpretentious, head to Déjà-vu for reasonable prices and a top night out. Somewhat limited menu, but if you're after pizza, nachos and a beer…

  • Mame

    Zürich

    Run by the barista champions of Switzerland, Mame serves some of the best brews in town. The stylish coffee shop is decorated in a minimalist Japanese…

  • Farm Club

    Valais

    A legend in its own right, this swanky club beneath the Nevaï hotel has rocked since 1971. Look gorgeous to slip past the velvet rope and mingle with…

  • Le Perroquet

    Lausanne

    Every bit as flamboyant as a parrot (perroquet), with its exotic wallpaper, jungle paintings, marble-topped tables and antique velvet sofas, Le Perroquet…

  • Al Lido

    Lugano

    Partygoers flock to this cool summertime beach lounge for DJ beats, drinks, snacks and flirting by the lakefront. It's right next to Lugano's lido if you…

  • Hüsi Bierhaus

    Interlaken

    Some 50 different craft beers from around the world – Trappist brews to Swiss IPAs – keep the punters happy at Hüsi's. It also rolls out tasty pub grub …

  • Jatzhütte

    Graubünden

    Perched at 2560m at the top of Jakobshorn, this is Davos' wackiest après-ski joint. Those who dare to partially bare can soak in a 39°C (102.2°F)…

  • Il Fermento

    Ticino

    For one of the top craft beers in town, swing across to this hip new urban microbrewery. Sip hoppy amber ales, zesty IPAs and malty bitters in the…

  • Ça Passe Crème

    Lausanne

    Make for this barista-run cafe for the perfect cup of joe, be it an espresso, lungo or cold brew. Dream duo and self-confessed caffeine-heads Davide and…

  • Kammgarn

    Northeastern Switzerland

    Tune into the local live-music and cultural scene at this textile factory turned arts centre. The line-up swings from blues, rock and jam sessions to…

  • Rathaus Bräuerei

    Lucerne

    Sip home-brewed beer under the vaulted arches of this buzzy tavern near Kapellbrücke, or nab a pavement table and watch the river flow. You know this…

  • Yucatan

    Central Switzerland

    Engelberg’s après-ski heavyweight is this lively joint opposite the train station. Mega-burgers, fajitas, quesadillas, Thai curries and caipirinhas fuel…

  • Avocado Bar

    Grindelwald

    This is a young ‘n’ fun place to kick back on a leather pouffe with a post-ski schnapps or to people-watch on the terrace in summer. There's occasional…

  • Pub Mont Fort

    Valais

    In winter, this après-ski heavyweight near the Médran cable car station apparently sells the most beer in Switzerland. Its shots and shakers are equally…

  • Barracuda Bar

    Interlaken

    Taking you through from coffee to cocktails, this cafe-lounge is a nicely chilled spot, with occasional live music. The bagels, paninis and wraps are…

  • Riders Palace Club

    Graubünden

    The favourite hang-out of freestyle dudes, this too-cool bar in the lobby of the eponymous hostel rocks to gigs and DJs spinning beats into the blurry…

  • Black Bull Snowbar

    Valais

    Near the river, this wooden hut with bar stools to squat on outside is high-energy people-watching terrain. Full-on après-ski fun until the wee hours.

  • Tom's Beer Box

    Chur

    The bottle-top window is a shrine to beer at this chilled haunt in the Old Town, where locals spill outside to socialise and guzzle one of 140 brews.

  • Roo Bar

    St Moritz

    Snow bums fill the terrace of this après-ski joint at Hauser's Hotel. Hip-hop, techno and hot chocolate laced with rum fuel the party.

  • Ziggy's Bar

    Valais

    The legendary Ziggy's can take care of all your evening drinking requirements in Champéry. There's occasional live music and comedy.

  • Bobby’s Pub

    St Moritz

    This friendly English-style watering hole serves 20 different international brews and is one of the few places open year-round.

  • El Lokal, exterior

    El Lokal

    Zürich

    With photos, paintings and postcards adorning all the walls and a huge skeleton hanging from the ceiling, you could spend hours poring over the decor at…

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