Entertainment in Switzerland
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Pardo Bar
With its background music, scattered timber tables (a couple of computers on one) and wine and cocktails on offer, Pardo Bar attracts a relaxed and mixed crowd.
reviewed
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Opera House
Enjoys a worldwide reputation.
reviewed
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Cinemax
A popular Cinema.
reviewed
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Wein Lounge/Lounge à Vin
At the thoroughly modern Wein Lounge/Lounge à Vin you can taste chardonnay, Pinot noir and other varieties produced on the Domaine de Schernelz Village on a stylish decking terrace above vines. Contemporary designer sofas make it a particularly comfortable place to hang, glass in hand, as the sun drops behind St Peter’s Island. In keeping with its beautiful setting, this wine lounge opens only in beautiful weather.
reviewed
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Bar du Nord
Bar du Nord, one of Carouge’s oldest, was known in the ’90s for its beach (yes, imported sand feature) and is now a stylish bar stuffed with Bauhaus-inspired furniture, the best whisky selection in town and a small courtyard terrace out back. It’s young, trendy, unpredictable. Best nights are Thursday and Friday with good music, DJs, lots of electro.
reviewed
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Club Q
In a car park, this club is for those who take their dancing – to house, hip hop and R&B – more seriously than seeing and being seen. It’s at the back of the car park, on Mühleweg. Although its Ibiza nights don’t quite match the Spanish rave island’s megaclub vibe, Zürich’s club crowd see it as the next best thing. Also in the car park is Club Q’s minor cousin, the smaller club BBQ.
reviewed
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nt/Areal
A meeting point for young Baslers in the former goods yard of the German railways. In summer, outdoor projectors play light shows, while customers tuck into food and drinks inside Erlkönig. From the Areal sign at the intersection of Mattenstrasse and Erlenstrasse, head 300m straight ahead. Either catch tram No 1 or 14 to Musicaltheater or the bus No 33 to Mattenstrasse.
reviewed
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Zukunft
Having resolved the problem of the complaining neighbour by finding him another apartment, this literally underground dance bar is back in full swing. Look for a modest queue (there’s no sign) and head downstairs. A broad range of electronic and other dance music keeps a mixed crowd happy. Heaven knows what the literature reading near the entrance is all about.
reviewed
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MAD - Moulin à Danse
With five floors of entertainment, MAD really is a crazy sort of place. Music themes can range from anything to trance to tranquil. Just behind it on Rue de Genève is Zapoff Galleries, a slick designer bar run by the same people. Snappy dressing is required and people under 25 don’t get past the doorman – at least that’s the policy.
reviewed
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Le Palais Mascotte
Le Palais Mascotte, closed for over 10 years, was reopened as a resto–cabaret bar for over 30s. It has a great atmosphere, quite selective. A restaurant is on the top floor; cabaret, ’70s and ’80s music on the ground floor; and concert followed by ’90s music in the basement club, Le Zazou. Good fun!
reviewed
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Scandale
Retro ’50s furnishings in a cavernous interior bedecked with a fine choice of eclectic seating, including drop-dead-comfy sofas, ensure this lounge bar is never empty. Grub ranges from fully fledged mains (Sfr15 to Sfr20) to snack-attack salads, bruschetta and so on and happenings include art exhibitions, Saturday-night DJs and bands.
reviewed
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Hooters
Yes, it’s part of a chain and, yes, the girls in hot pants and too-tight tank tops make feminists rant, but – ooh er, missus – Hooters remains popular. It serves beer, big-screen sports and fine Jungfrau views from the terrace, though most punters seem to have their eyes fixed on bumps of a different kind…
reviewed
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Vernissage Bar
The ultimate après-ski antithesis, Vernissage exudes grown-up sophistication. Local artist Heinz Julen has created a theatrical space with flowing velvet drapes, film-reel chandeliers and candlelit booths. Catch an exhibition, watch a Bond movie in the decadent cinema, then practice your 007 martini pose in the lounge bar.
reviewed
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D-Club
D-Club is a heaving club where local and guest DJs spin funk to house, especially the latter, in all its latest sub-forms. Friday night is electro night and Saturday the place shakes to humping house. To get here take the stairs down from Rue du Grand Pont and turn right before descending all the way into Place Centrale.
reviewed
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Alhambar
The back of the Alhambar cinema hosts this popular venue for drinks, food and live music. Hung over on a Sunday? Come and cure it with brunch. The decor of feathers hanging from ceiling, zebra-print lampshades, and velvet couches is either creatively innovative or high-camp irony depending on interpretation.
reviewed
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Penthouse
This rooftop bar has all the trappings of a regular five-star joint but a refreshingly ‘all types’ crowd. Cocktails are more like mocktails though. On the ground floor is the swankyThis rooftop bar has all the trappings of a regular five-star joint but a refreshingly ‘all types’ crowd. Cocktails are more like mocktails though. On the ground floor is the swanky Pravda nightclub (Wednesday to Saturday); expect R&B and house anthems.
reviewed
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Dampfzentrale
Host to far more than its action-packed Saturday-night club (from around 11pm), this industrial brick riverside building stages concerts, festivals and contemporary dance, and has a great riverside restaurant terrace (open for lunch and dinner Monday to Friday, and dinner Saturday).
reviewed
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Wings Airline Bar & Lounge
It caused a major scandal when former national airline SwissAir went bust in 2001, but some ex-pilots and cabin crew grabbed the initiative and kitted out this lounge bar with cutlery, crockery and even a few aeroplane seats bought at the bankruptcy auction - adding a few kitsch Hawaiian touches.
reviewed
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Atlantis
Leather-topped stools are strung behind the long, curving and – on DJ weekend nights – packed bar. Themes change constantly and range from funk to ’90s. Maybe this is why it attracts a mostly 30-something crowd. They have a summer rooftop terrace and do lunch Monday to Friday.
reviewed
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Le Bleu Lézard
An oldie but a goodie, this corner bar-eatery with wooden tables and a chatty atmosphere remains a popular meeting place throughout the day and evening. If you feel like a dance, pop downstairs to its club-style section, Cave. This is also a good spot for Sunday brunch and they have wi-fi.
reviewed
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Le Cheval Blanc
Le Cheval Blanc in Carouge is a cosy, young, pretty-stylish bar with one of the best brunch offers in town – an all-you-can eat fresh buffet with hot and cold drinks – and Geneva’s best tapas. And it has a club downstairs, Le Box, open for concerts.
reviewed
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Pinte Besson
The city's oldest tavern has been serving up local wines to Lausannois punters since 1780. The place oozes the atmosphere of another age and makes no concessions to modern modishness. Squeeze in for a round of fondue and wine or just drop by for a couple of evening ales.
reviewed
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The Great Escape
Beneath the whopping beams that hold up the roof of what could be a country house is a noisy pub with plenty of beers and ales on tap. At times a sports bar (claiming the best burgers in town), it heaves with an eclectic crew of punters on Friday and Saturday nights.
reviewed
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L’Aiglon
L’Aiglon is a Pâquis institution where anything goes! It does good steak frîtes (steak and chips) but is better known for wild parties and a great alternative, gay-friendly atmosphere. Again good music, DJs, electro…
reviewed
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Helsinki Hütte
Little more than a leftover hut from the area’s industrial days, the Helsinki attracts people of all walks and ages for its low-lit, relaxed band scene. Sip on Sfr5 beer and settle in for anything from the regular country nights on Sundays to soul and funk.
reviewed