Lugano
Run by hipper-than-thou staff, this beach shack and cocktail bar sits right on the lakefront and gets rammed on summer evenings, with a good-looking crowd…
Must-see nightlife in Switzerland
Bernese Oberland
DJs spin to an upbeat crowd at weekends at this super-central bar, graced with blown-up prints of Hollywood legends. Wine pairs nicely with the tasting…
Basel
Art installations, live gigs, video shows and DJ performances pepper this art bar’s busy calendar. In summer, tables spill onto the pavement out front,…
Zürich
Craft beer from Swiss and global microbreweries lures the thirsty punters to this glass-fronted bar in Zürich's hip 5th district. The vibe is very chilled…
Lugano
Going strong since 1803, this cafe is the vision of old-school grandeur with its polished wood panelling and pineapple-shaped chandeliers. The tortes,…
Lauterbrunnen
BASE jumpers tell hair-raising parachute tales at this buzzy pub, as they come back to earth over a pint or four. The vibe gets clubbier as the night…
Geneva
Enviably perched across from the water, The Red and The White is one of the city's most popular after-work addresses. Its wine list – Swiss and world…
Lucerne
On the lakefront just opposite the train station, this fin-de-siècle boathouse makes an atmospheric spot for drinks at sunset or a coffee break any time…
Northeastern Switzerland
On the ground floor of one of St Gallen's best-regarded restaurants, this inviting little wine bar has a fine selection of Swiss tipples starting at…
Montreux
Everybody loves an Irish Pub and Montreux is no exception: the Barrel Oak is loved for its convivial vibe, great craic and daily set menus. Pop in for a…
Basel
This relaxed bar is a marvellous spot to take your taste buds on a wine journey around the world. Staff will open one of more than 100 bottles for you if…
Lucerne
This kiosk-style outdoor bar sets out chairs and ping-pong tables under the trees of Inseli Park each summer. With its drop-dead gorgeous views of Lake…
Graubünden
Crap by name but not by nature, this après-ski hot spot is shaped from 24 tonnes of granite. It's the place to slam shots, check your email and shimmy in…
Neuchâtel
Despite its name – Heating Included – this retro bar, with a decorative tiled entrance, is one cool place to loiter, be it for morning coffee, evening…
Northeastern Switzerland
A laid-back, alternative cafe serving decent lunch specials (Sfr18 to Sfr23). Gigs, theatre performances and art exhibitions take place in the cellar…
Zermatt
Squirrelled away in an old wooden chalet, wedged between 17th-century granaries and pig stalls on Zermatt's most photographed street, this bijou watering…
Wengen
A popular hang-out for Swiss and Scandi skiers, this snug, wood-panelled bar on Wengen's main drag cranks it up during the ski season with après-ski…
Bern
Delve into Bern's grungy underground scene at this alternative-arts centre in the Reitschule, a graffiti-covered former riding school built in 1897. It's…
Ticino
DJ beats and cocktails make this lounge bar in Ascona's old port perfect for a sundowner with romantic views out across the lake to the Brissago Islands.
Chur
Grungy haunt over the river from the Old Town with a loop fireplace sequence to give you a warm feeling even without imbibing. Turn up at the right time…
Geneva
The White Horse is a real Carouge favourite. Quaff cocktails and tapas – some of Geneva's best – at the pink neon-lit bar upstairs, then head downstairs…
Zürich
In the heart of the Langstrasse action, the Longstreet is a music bar with a varied roll call of DJs. Try to count the thousands of light bulbs in this…
Central Switzerland
This genteel bar at Alpenclub is all wood, leather and upmarket ambience. Think coffee and tea, après-ski refreshments or a nightcap before bed.
Ticino
This new sidewalk cafe does a darn good coffee – including some creative numbers – and on-the-go snacks like piadini (flatbread sandwiches), pastries and…
Lausanne
DJs spin house in all its latest sub-forms at this heaving club. Take the stairs down from Rue du Grand-Pont and turn right before descending all the way…
Geneva
Wine sluggers will enjoy this excellent wine shop that doubles as a wine bar with weekly dégustation (tasting) sessions. Food platters add a gastronomic…
Mittelland
Old stone walls, kitsch-meets-cool chairs and a sun-flooded riverfront terrace ensure that half of Solothurn can be found at this trendy riverside bar in…
Northeastern Switzerland
‘Truffle sniffer’ is the name of Eva's arty cafe–craft shop. Stop by for drinks and handmade gifts, ranging from groovy printed bags to wood-carved Swiss…
Graubünden
DJs spin house and electro at the weekend at this funky bar. There's a great selection of beers from Kilkenny to Leffe. The summer beer garden becomes a…
Zürich
What is a school playground by day morphs into an outdoor bar and underground club by night. Reggae, dancehall, hip-hop and more appear regularly on the…
Chur
Themed parties from DJ battles to beer pong attract a vivacious bunch to this all-black haunt, set around a horseshoe bar just over the river from the Old…
Basel
This fun hybrid bar/club/event space occupying a former brewery in Kleinbasel has a welcoming, chilled vibe and hosts everything from DJ nights to poetry…
Wengen
The chipper staff, comfy leather sofas, Sky Sports and wi-fi make this a good place to unwind. There’s two-for-one at the daily happy hour from 9pm to…
Interlaken
A Viennese-style coffee house famous for its pastries, pralines and park-facing terrace. It also runs somewhat touristy chocolate shows at 5pm daily …
Fribourg, Drei-Seen-Land and The Jura
A great spot to meet the locals, this unexpected tiki bar, far from Polynesia on the main drag of Biel, is a hoot and a popular spot for afternoon drinks.
Bernese Oberland
For a decent cup of Joe and pastries, this buzzy central coffee shop is hard to beat. It also does great smoothies, fresh-baked bread and pralines.
Ticino
A lively perch on Piazza Collegiata for people-watching over an ice cream or coffee – skip the food. The terrace is rammed on hot summer days.
Locarno
A huge selection of beers (including many from Ticino), pub grub, free wi-fi and a people-watching terrace make the Pardo a popular hangout.
Central Switzerland
Affable owner Elvira stocks an impressive array of vintages at this popular wine bar, tucked down a side street just in from the waterfront.
Basel
Leather-topped stools are strung behind the long, curving and – on DJ weekend nights – packed bar. In summer there's a rooftop terrace.
