Zürich
This boisterous club playing an eclectic musical mix is the epicentre of gay nightlife in Niederdorf. The cover charge is Sfr15 to Sfr20.
Must-see nightlife in Switzerland
Zürich
A classic summer evening hang-out, this parkside bar sells cold beers and grilled snacks. Kids can frolic in the adjacent wading pool.
Lucerne
Adjoining the grassy lawn at the southern end of leafy lakefront Inseli Park, this outdoor bar is a popular summertime hangout.
Graubünden
Slope-side imbibing aside, this is where the party is in winter. Expect a laid-back crowd, DJs, foosball and shots aplenty.
Ticino
A cool newcomer to Bellinzona's nightlife scene, Folk Bar is currently the in-place for live music, DJ sets and mojitos.
Bernese Oberland
As busy as a beehive when the sun's shining, this is a cool riverside spot for a baguette, coffee or pre-dinner beer.
Bern
This corner bar with a chalkboard tapas menu is a hip spot for cocktails and coffees from morning to night.
Interlaken
A pub in the relaxed Irish mould, 3 Tells has live sports, free wi-fi and Guinness on tap.
Fribourg, Drei-Seen-Land and The Jura
The showstopper of this funky art bar in an old butcher's shop (note the original flooring and ceramic tiled walls) is the seating – an angular black-and…
Geneva
This industrial-style venue in Geneva's old market hall on an island in the Rhône serves a buzzing cocktail of after-work aperitifs and sometimes DJs. Its…
Valais
Sit in the late-afternoon sun and slurp an ice-cold shake or smoothie at this chilled ‘bar & smooth music’ address halfway up the main drag. Chocoholics…
Zermatt
The ultimate après-ski antithesis, Vernissage at the Backstage Hotel exudes grown-up sophistication. Local artist Heinz Julen has created a theatrical…
Geneva
This doll's-house-size bar à vin – an old butcher's shop, hence the tiles and ceramic – is a great little spot in Plainpalais to discover regional and…
Zürich
This one-time haunt of Lenin and the Dadaists is still a prime people-watching spot, taking you through from morning coffee to evening cocktails. Despite…
Zürich
Looking like an innocent little house, Supermarket boasts a dance floor surrounded by three cosy lounge bars, a covered back courtyard and an interesting…
Bern
In the afternoon street-level tables under Bern's Old Town arcades make a pleasant spot to enjoy cream tea with scones and homemade jam. Come evening the…
Bern
Nicknamed 'Pyri' by locals, this bohemian corner joint remains a beloved Bern institution for its traditional Parisian cafe-bar vibe. Its central location…
Fribourg, Drei-Seen-Land and The Jura
When the sun shines there's no lovelier spot for hanging out in a pink or lime-green deckchair than at this urban beach, complete with golden sand and…
Vevey
Take the local town library, add a trendy cafe with ceiling-to-floor windows facing the lake and a summertime terrace, and you get this local favourite…
Zürich
Location is the big draw at this beer garden, built atop 17th-century fortifications that jut into the middle of the Limmat River. From early October to…
Zürich
An opulent art-deco theatre with a stage, a mezzanine floor and bars arranged around the dance floor, Zürich’s ‘establishment’ club plays house, disco, R…
Basel
Get high on the panoramic views from this plush red bar on the 31st floor of Basel's ugly glass Messeturm (trade fair tower). Regular events include over…
Geneva
Geneva's longest running gay bar is a delightfully gaudy trip through the last 40 years of gay life and style in Europe. With friendly staff and a varied…
Fribourg, Drei-Seen-Land and The Jura
Called TM Café by day, it becomes Talk Wine by night, when trendies drink, dance and do shots as DJs spin electro or lounge music, dependent on the mood:…
Zürich
A good weekend brunch stop (until 4pm), this is above all a popular place to hang out and drink – anything from coffee to cocktails. In summer, spread out…
Lausanne
If you want sand and a deckchair, head for seasonal Flon Plage – yes, a 'beach' (without water!) – in the heart of the Old Town, but with a bartender…
Neuchâtel
In the heat of the summer much of the drinking action gravitates towards the water's edge with pop-up bars and drinking spaces such as upcycled, portside…
Zürich
An easygoing lounge-bar arrangement (with a tiny courtyard at the side), the ‘Dani H’ is a cruisy place to start the night. It is hetero-friendly. Note…
Geneva
Deep house and mainstream sets have Genevans dancing 'til dawn at this hybrid cocktail club, dance school and nightclub in Pâquis. Those in the know book…
Zürich
Nicely placed in the upscale area of Enge, this stylish Italian bar is as much about posing as sipping your expertly mixed cocktail or glass of full…
Fribourg, Drei-Seen-Land and The Jura
House, trance, rock, reggae…every sound goes at this mainstream club in Fribourg's hip industrial zone. For aspiring pop stars, Thursday is karaoke night.
Basel
A soothing spot for an upscale cocktail moment, especially in warmer weather, when you can listen to the water play of the adjacent Tinguely Fountain.
Zürich
With its outdoor terrace and prime location near the Hauptbahnhof, this tiny bar on an island in the Sihl river makes a tempting stop at any time.
Geneva
Indulge in a glass of local wine or artisanal beer at this more-than-veritable Genevois cafe-bar fronting the city’s loveliest square.
Fribourg, Drei-Seen-Land and The Jura
Alive and kicking since 1861, this cafe, with a wonderful people-watching terrace in the morning sun, transports you to another time.
Fribourg, Drei-Seen-Land and The Jura
Well, what do you know, an Aussie-themed pub in the middle of Payerne. As long as the beer's cold, she'll be right, mate!
Geneva
The trendy address to sip Spanish wine on bar stools outside or in. Watch for live flamenco nights one evening per month.
Geneva
This Irish Pub is about as close to the real thing as you can get in the heart of Old Town Geneva. Mighty craic!
Geneva
This chirpy (sic) little cafe serves up free-trade and organic coffee as well as a selection of sweet accompaniments.
Fribourg, Drei-Seen-Land and The Jura
In the heart of the Old Town, this cosy Irish pub is a great place to meet other travellers and have some good craic.
