Welcome to Zurich’s premier nightlife guide.
On this page, you’ll discover the vibrant and varied nightlife scene in Zurich. You’ll find the perfect venue for you and your preferred night out. Whether you want to go all-out clubbing or if you’d like a more laid back dinner and drinks with a view, we’ve got your covered.
Enjoy!
Zürich or Zurich is the largest city in Switzerland and the capital of the canton of Zürich. It is located in north-central Switzerland at the northwestern tip of Lake Zürich. Zürich is a hub for Railways, Roads, and Air traffic. Both Zurich Airport and Railway Station are the largest and busiest in the country.
The official language of Zürich is German, but the main spoken language is the local variant of the Alemannic Swiss German dialect Zürich German. Many museums and art galleries can be found in the city, including the Swiss National Museum and the Kunsthaus. Zurich is rich in cultural highlights, it is one of the leading art trading cities in the world with more than 50 museums and over 100 galleries. The Opera House, Tonhalle Orchestra (concert hall orchestra), as well as the Schauspielhaus Zurich (municipal theater), provides a culture of the highest standards.
Monocle’s 2012 “Quality of Life Survey” ranked Zürich first on a list of the top 25 cities in the world “to make a base within”. According to several surveys, Zürich has named the city with the best quality of life in the world as well as the wealthiest city in Europe in terms of GDP per capita.
The city on the River Limmat pulsates all year round. The highlights of Zurich’s event calendar include the Street Parade, the Zurich Festival, open-air concerts and cinemas in summer, the Weltklasse Zurich (track & field meeting) and New Year’s Eve Magic organized by Zurich’s hoteliers.
Here in this article, we will provide all the necessary information related to nightlife features of Zurich, including a comprehensive list of the best destinations. You will find all the tools and necessary information here to organize your holidays in Zurich the most complete way to make your journey a beautiful experience.
The Nightlife in Zurich
Zurich is rich in cultural highlights and it is one of the leading art trading cities in the world. Zurich is the destination to be for nightlife lovers, for nowhere else in Switzerland is there such a large and diverse nightlife attraction. Whether in one of the countless Bars along Langstrasse, in a cozy lounge high above Zurich’s rooftops, in the best seats at a concert, or in a club featuring electronic, rock or experimental music – thanks to the short distances, Zurich’s Clubs, Bars, Parties and Concerts guarantee an unforgettable night out experience for you. The Opera House, Tonhalle Orchestra (concert hall orchestra), as well as the Schauspielhaus Zurich (municipal theater), provides a culture of the highest standards. So check out our recommended options here for the best venues available in Zurich and all are ready to make you happy while you are enjoying your nightlife experience over there:
Live performance at Opernhaus Zurich
If you are in search of some world-class opera and ballet performances in Zurich, then the Opernhaus Zurich is the perfect place for you. Open since 1891, the Opernhaus Zurich is the main venue for opera and ballet performances, in the city. We heartily recommend watching at least one opera or ballet performance, simply because the performances are so magnificent. You will be amazed at how beautiful the performances are!
Jazz Club Moods im Schiffbau
The best venue to enjoy jazz music, in Zurich, is the Jazz Club Moods im Schiffbau. The jazz performances at Moods are really wonderful and as one of the most popular jazz clubs in Zurich, Moods attracts well-known local as well as international names. If you wish for some privacy at Moods, you can become the club’s VIP guest and book a gallery area or a private balcony. While listening to some jazz, you can enjoy some drinks, as suitable to your mood, their cool club bar serves a superb selection of cocktails and liquors as well.
Enjoy drinks at the open-air Rimini Bar
One of the best ways to make some new friends is by heading to a bar called the Rimini Bar and mingles with the local people over there. The bar is one of the most awesome and overwhelming open-air bars in Zurich! The atmosphere is very welcoming and friendly, with its massive wooden deck for the visitors to have relaxed conversations with one another. With an immense and panoramic view of the Sihl River, you can sit back and have some drinks at the bar. Since Rimini Bar is an open-air venue, it is only open when the weather is friendly.
Party on at Street Parade
Zurich is famous for its Street Parade, the electronic music festival in August which sees a long stretch of decorated trucks – the Love Mobiles – make their way through a dancing crowd of about a million people. If you are looking to carry on the party, the Kaufleuten is a classic venue, and you can hardly go wrong with the Plaza or the Mascotte. A marginally edgier (and younger) crowd can be found at the Hive or the Härterei, and newer venues on Langstrasse like Cafe Gold and Kinski continue to attract attention.
Thermalbad & Spa Zurich
When there is a freezing and rainy day in Zurich, must visit at Hürlimann Areal and its Thermalbad & Spa. The view over the city from its rooftop pool is really astonishing and wonderful, this alone is worth the entrance fee. But there is more: you can relax in the huge wooden water-filled tubs of the old brewery in the basement and for an additional sum, enjoy the Irish-Roman spa with its steam baths and shallow pools. The venue gets very crowded on weekends, so arrive early to avoid any hassle. If you are looking for a more intimate spa experience, check out the Stadtbad on Helvetiaplatz with its stylish hammam.
Best Bars in Zurich
There are more than enough options available in Zurich to suit everybody’s needs, with a number of quality cocktail bars and summer beach bars on the lake and river, most Zurich bars usually close around midnight during the week and 02 am at weekends. Some bars and nightclubs close at around 05 am.
Being a small city, that can be easily explored by foot if you plan your route exactly in accordance with your nightlife desire. Zurich is famous for its “Badis”, public swimming pools along the lake and river with bars attached.
So, after a whole long day exercise of experiencing the city’s wonderful attractions and other things to do, you probably deserve a drink to satisfy your thirst, so check out our recommended options here for the best venues available in Zurich and all are ready to make you happy and kill your liquor desire:
ONYX Bar
It is a perfect place for a nightcap at Park Hyatt Zurich, ONYX Bar welcomes the visitors to pleasure in hand-rolled cigars and sip barrel-aged craft cocktails, malt whiskeys, vintage wines, high-end vodkas, and many more within its trendy environs. Named after the onyx stone that adorns this modern outpost, ONYX Bar boasts floor-to-ceiling glass walls that look out onto parkhuus restaurant’s summer terrace. Rejuvenate your senses in an outstanding atmosphere that prizes elegance and chic settings at ONYX Bar, accessible through the lobby of Park Hyatt Zurich or via its own street entrance.
Old Crow
It is possibly one of favorite and frequented bar in the whole of Europe, this incredibly friendly backstreet bar in Zurich offers a wide choice of more than 1,200 rare spirits, and all are available by the glass, with a special focus on whiskeys, bourbons, and ryes from the personal collection of owner barkeepers Markus Blattner and Jvan Paszti. Apart from classic cocktails prepared by the two multi-award winners, they also specialize in serving some rare and forgotten mixtures alongside their own creations. Swiss beers, wines, whiskeys and liqueurs are joined by a large Champagne collection and one of the best soft drink lists in Switzerland.
Angels’ Wine Tower Bar
Situated in the Radisson Blu Hotel at Zurich Airport, this incredibly impressive bar is certainly worth visiting before or after your flight and with trains taking just 9 minutes from Hauptbahnhof, it offers a great place to meet up when starting your night on the town. Centered around a huge awe-inspiring glass tower which houses over 4,000 bottles of Wine and Champagne, the main attraction can be experienced between 18:00 – 23:00 (Monday – Saturday), as attractive gymnasts soar around the spectacular glass structure as they retrieve each wine selection. They also perform headline shows with music, colorful lights and impressive acrobatic moves in alternate hours.
George Bar & Grill
It was opened in 2014 on the 5th floor of Switzerland’s largest casino, this vibrant 1920s inspired piano bar, club and restaurant boast a beautiful wooden cocktail bar, electro swing music with musicians, and a terrace on three sides of the building which overlooks the rooftops of the city.
Dynamo
Situated in three buildings of a former brewery, this live music venue, bar and bathing area on the Limmat River, near the gardens of the Swiss National Museum, has been a youth center ran by the City of Zurich since the 1930s and, alongside factory workshops, promotes subcultural events. The bar and concert areas are open all year around, together with a restaurant specializing in vegetarian and vegan dishes, however, it is in summer when the venue really comes to life with the locals flocking here to swim and drink by the river.
Bar Rimini
This men-only city center “Badi” is the oldest in Zurich, dating back to 1824, and offers enclosed swimming alongside the old city walls and Alter Botanischer Garten in the Schanzengraben moat. In the evening, from 17:00 until midnight, the Männerbad also welcomes women as the waterside bar opens its doors from mid-May until mid-September.
Sportsbar 1904
The bar is the perfect place for sports enthusiasts, young, business & corporate people and commuters to meet and share in following the world’s favorite live sporting events. What’s more, not only soccer is screened, but also ice hockey, tennis, basketball, and much more besides. In addition, to live sport, international DJs regularly provide top-notch entertainment into the early hours of the morning. Even when no events are being broadcast, visitors can enjoy a selection of international beers, wines, and cocktails, as well as high-end finger food.
Goethe Bar
The Goethe Bar and Lounge is located in the heart of the city, right beside the Opera House. You can dedicate yourself completely to “Savoir Vivre”, bite on appropriate light snacks throughout the day, or relax after a productive day with a glass of wine or a cocktail matching with your booze desire.
Cinchona Bar
Here the aperitif culture among local residents, hotel guests, and cocktail lovers from near and far are actively fostered. During the day, the Cinchona Bar in the 25 hours Hotel Langstrasse serves as a cozy living room, while in the evening, it is transformed into a venue for social gatherings amidst a relaxed ambiance. Served on the rocks and in tall, chilled highball glasses, they are quickly prepared and swiftly drunk, allowing guests to try out different concoctions and flavors.
Best Bar Restaurants in Zurich
Commuters visiting Zurich have a wide option of quality dining and cocktails in the heart of Zurich,
The city provides worldwide cuisine with high quality & fine standard culinary. There are countless restaurants rich in tradition on Bahnhofstrasse, but also stylish and trendy ones in Zurich-West. There is a great variety to choose from in Niederdorf, from veal (schnitzel) to pasta, sushi, falafel, and tapas all the way to fondue. “Zürcher Geschnetzeltes” (sliced veal Zurich style) with “Rösti” (shredded fried potatoes) is really a classic. Here we have come up with some of the best and premium restaurants available in Zurich so you don’t find yourself in the hassle of looking for:
Parkhuus
Indulge in the superb combination of excellent Swiss cuisines and delectable flavors at Parkhuus restaurant, it is an award-winning outlet set within Park Hyatt Zurich. Take a seat and dine on artfully crafted gourmet entrées made from sustainably produced ingredients. The concept of restaurant cherishes locally sourced fare, with dishes crafted from free-range meat and seafood, as well as homegrown vegetables and herbs. Here, you will find char from Lake Zurich, horseradish shoots from Adliswil, and salmon trout from Switzerland. Come spring and summer, the visitors can enjoy lunch and dinner on the magnificent terrace amid the Zurich breeze.
Pavillon
The restaurant has maintained it’s well-deserved reputation as a classic and legendary venue within Zurich, the Head Chef never fails to impress guests with his striking 21st-century interpretations of classic dishes. Located in the Baur au Lac Hotel, this restaurant was designed by famous architect Pierre-Yves Rochon, boasts a glass gazebo with an imposing 16-foot high rotunda and roaring 1920s chandeliers, which can be seen from the park outside. Since its refurbishment, The Pavillon is now welcoming diners all year round for lunch and dinner.
White Elephant
This much-loved and renowned restaurant boasts the most traditional Thai flavors in Zurich and has maintained its reputation as one of the city’s best restaurants. Along with typical Thai dishes, there are also a range of meat and noodle delights, perfectly decorated. The chefs at White Elephant are all from Thailand, as are the polite and courteous floor staff. The restaurant is ideal for a relaxed yet elegant evening with your friends or loved one.
Kronenhalle
The skilled and expert chefs have made this one of the most frequently visited restaurants in the city, due to its international menu and local specialties. Set in the heart of Zurich, the interior is magnificent with contemporary art adorning each wall. Begin your evening with a drink at the Kronenhalle bar, and enjoy the skill of the master bartenders. Not to be missed.
Rico’s
The restaurant, with a stimulating backdrop, is both stylish and individual, featuring numerous artworks and a lustrous red and gold color scheme – from the sleek red leather seats, metallic silver walls and lacquered red ceiling. Chef Rico Zandonella produces flawless French cuisine, cooked to perfection and served with an abundance of artfully displayed spiced sauces and foams, blending flavors to delicious effect.
Restaurant les Halles
The most demanded of this restaurant is moules et frites, or mussels and French fries, a recipe which it has perfected. This restaurant relies on self-service in an uncomplicated and relaxed atmosphere. There is live music on certain nights and table football. The decor is eclectic with jumbled pieces of furniture and bicycles hanging from the ceiling. Additionally, it features a shop selling Italian and French delicacies. One of the more reasonably priced establishments among Zürich’s high-class restaurants, with a youthful crowd, Restaurant Les Halles is not to be missed.
Italia
Italia is a truly Italian restaurant with genuine, traditional cuisine. The menu is short, focusing instead on selected specialties. There are no pizzas, instead, it serves dishes alla nonna – real homemade cooking. The restaurant boasts a brilliant selection of meat and cheese sourced from Italy. Having developed a true passion for unpretentious, rural recipes, expect to be served some traditional pasta, containing fresh and seasonal products. If you are enthusiastic about authentic Italian cuisine, you will surely not be disappointed here.
Sonnenberg
Jacky Donatz’ food palace high up on the Zürichberg has been one of the best addresses in town for years. Though the food tends to be slightly overrated, everything is nicely served and presented, service is friendly and the view is certainly worth coming here for. Definitely, it is a good place for a delirious and delightful lunch with your friends or loved one.
Kreis 6
Situated in the heart of Zurich’s Kreis 6, a quarter typically known for its historic and old fashioned buildings and wealthy inhabitants, the restaurant has been attracting the city’s elite for decades. Artists, news-anchors, actors, bankers, scientists from the nearby university and, of course, an endless list of local art directors all regularly visit this slightly hidden restaurant.
Best Nightclub in Zurich
Zurich’s nightlife offers classy clubs, casual and alternative bars, as well as live-music venues and strip clubs. On weekends people from almost half of Switzerland come to this great city to have a good time. The main nightlife areas are Niederdorf in the old town, the streets around Langstrasse and Zurich West. There is a lively club scene, but with dozens of bars around, bar-hopping can be just as much fun. A night out in Zurich can be great, but also quite expensive. Most venues take credit cards, but if you are heading for bars and clubs, must have some cash handy too. If you prefer it on the quiet side, there are wine and cocktail bars in the old town and around Paradeplatz. Refer our recommendations here and keep the nightlife activities going on at the optimum best night clubs in Zurich:
Mascotte
Zurich’s oldest club is legendary – Josephine Baker and Louis Armstrong performed here, the “Corso” lettering was created by none other than Max Bill, and illustrious names are not uncommon in recent history either. The former “Palais Mascotte”, situated between Bellevue and Stadelhofen Train Station, is easy to get to and nowadays is characterized by its varied program, which ranges from hip-hop to funk, punk, rock, metal, and folk, to live concerts by well-known international artists, as well as comedy and readings. What was often referred to as Udo Jürgen’s “living room” – the German singer used to live above the club – is still today one of the main haunts for night owls and partygoers.
Kaufleuten
Kaufleuten is a restaurant, a lounge, a night club, and an events center all in one. The restaurant offers fresh market cuisine, steaks, and wine, while the lounge is tucked in a garden where people get cocktails of their choices or just take a break from the loud party music at the club. There are smaller spaces like the Pelikanbar and Limabar, with its own themes and music, and a space where exhibits and literature readings are done. Come night time, however, people flock to Kaufleuten for the clubbing anywhere from bankers and executives to college-age youth party at Kaufleuten.
Gonzo
Just look for a line of people standing by a telephone stand, and you are probably already standing in front of Gonzo. The club is an underground venue with no signs and bright lights to lure people in. It is a small space that blares out pop and rock music, all in the confines of a cellar with a dance floor, a bar, and a smoking lounge. In a city that favors electronic beats, Gonzo’s rock and pop attracts night owls who are out to do some serious dancing.
Supermarket
The supermarket first opened in the 90’s in a garage in Zurich-West. Back then, the area was an industrial wasteland, but the opening of Supermarket has made Zurich-West one of the renowned and frequented places for a thriving nightlife in modern times. It is a mix of an underground club with stone masonry and concrete floors, and modern electronica with local and international DJ’s using cutting-edge equipment.
Club Bellevue
The Club Bellevue is indeed a popular house and techno club. It is located right at the Zurich Bellevue, hosting concerts and events on the weekdays, and pure music and dancing on the weekends. While there are no strict age restrictions, the general rule is 25 years old as Club Bellevue describes itself as an adult club. It is a good place for both meeting new people or dancing the night away, with a good music program updated on their website. The mind-expanding LED lights and its retro-disco touch are awesome. All things considered, there is no dress code here, so come as glamorous or casual as you want.
Alice Choo
Alice Choo is one of the trendier clubs located in the posh Kreis 5 district of Zurich-West. Apparent from its name, Alice Choo is a cross between Western flair with Easter influences. The club features international acts, accessible via membership, door charge, or lounge packages. It brings in the Ibiza vibe with exotic performers and decadent interiors. Alice Choo has a restaurant too that serves pan-Asian dishes for the visitors. Alice Choo is the place where you will find glamazons and high fashion whiling the night away in a luxury and VIP setting. There is a 25-year-old age restriction for men, and they offer limousine services for those who want to avoid the walk.
Plaza
It is not necessarily one of the biggest names in the Zurich club scene, but absolutely not one to count out. Usually, a 22+ club, however, on weekends Plaza (Badenerstrasse 109, 8004 Zürich) does not fail to impress offering state of the art sound systems and numerous dance floors, it is hard not to have fun with the transmittable party vibe. Every Thursday, Plaza throws a supreme student-oriented (18+) event. The must go to place on a Thursday night for all the party craving students.
Blok
Located in the hip and young Escherwyss Platz, Blok is a club for techno die-hard teens (obviously 18+). An underground vibe for teens to dance the night away and live like there is no tomorrow. It is only open Friday and Saturday, in Blok, there is not really a dress code and is always filled with hundreds of like-minded nightlife lovers. Unlike most Swiss things Blok is very reasonably priced. Blok is the place to go to have fun, not to be seen. The reopening Street parade after party is going to be one you will not want to miss at all, for the best of electro music head over to Blok to keep the Street parade techno vibes going on.
Hive
From Thursday to Saturday, Hive caters to the young adults of Zurich by offering an overelaborate music paradise. Located in Escherwyss Platz, Hive is the mega-club of Zurich’s west side. The Clubhouses 3 dance floors all with their own vibe the main dance floor has a huge dance floor with overwhelming lights and lasers, indeed the perfect atmosphere to get caught up in the music and enjoy yourself. But when the lights and music become too much you can go relax in the lounge upstairs. Hive boasts a remarkable sound system the club is a must for the house and techno lovers. Make sure to check out Hive on a Saturday night for a true underground rave type atmosphere.
Aura
It is an exceptional club situated in the center of Zurich right near paradeplatz. Aura has a vast main dance floor with a 9m high ceiling and a 360° project screen circling the dance floor. Aura is unlike any other club in Zurich. The crowd is 21+ and is more upscale but it is still a club for all nightlife lovers, with the music of all genres blasting till early in the morning. Check out the Aura restaurant for a unique blend between international and European cuisine, something not many restaurants in Zurich are able to offer.
Conclusion
Let us conclude the topic, here in this article we had a brief introduction of The City of Zurich along with highlighting some of its prominent norms, culture, and nightlife features. We also went through different activities and places to enjoy the nightlife of the region, Musical venues, Bars, Restaurants and Nightclubs as well. Such activities provide a great source of entertainment for tourists and locals as well.
As already elaborated, the nightlife attraction of the city is scattered throughout the city, whereas major part exists in it’s Old Town. There are several streets / bustling areas of the city where cafes, concert and dance venues, galleries and restaurants offer something really special to everyone who loves the culture, shopping and nightlife attractions. There are plenty of pubs & bars throughout the City areas and they are truly satisfying the desire of thirsty visitors where you can enjoy your cocktails with the mesmerizing architectural beauty of the hand-crafted beers and their decors.
You don’t feel any hunger during your trip, that is why we also suggested some of the finest restaurants in the city that offer exotic and delicious food along with your favorite drinks. You can really enjoy the taste of good food along with some great booze.
And lastly, we went through comprehensive options of nightclubs of the city, that offers great music and fun with some delightfully exotic choices of drinks and cocktail that will delight your overall experience of charming nightlife during your stay at Zurich.
All of the experiences as mentioned above will work together to make your journey of Zurich a memorable one. A perfect and balanced blend of the above-identified activities can actually boost your experience and make your trip extremely unforgettable for you.
