Zurich Nightlife — Best Bars, Clubs & Late Spots Guide

Niederdorf — Old Town nightlife

• Niederdorf: cobblestone alleys + restaurants + bars + late-night spots.
• Mascotte (Old Town): mainstream club. Friday/Saturday packed. CHF 20+ cover.
• Plaza Klub: Edwardian-style + electronic music + 2 floors.
• Kaufleuten: historic venue since 1862. Concerts + club nights.
• Zukunft: club + bar — Old Town location.
• Acapulco Karaoke: karaoke + cocktail bar.
• Bauschänzli Beer Garden: summer-only river island beer garden.
• Cabaret Voltaire (Spiegelgasse): historic Dada venue + bar + occasional performances.
• Rosso Coiffeur Bar: hidden bar — barber shop entrance.
• Old Crow Cocktail Bar: speakeasy on Birmensdorferstrasse.

Kreis 4 — West Zurich cool

• Kreis 4 (Aussersihl): hipster + diverse + trendy bars + restaurants.
• The Hideout: hidden speakeasy + cocktail bar.
• Old Crow Cocktail Bar: craft cocktails + Birmensdorferstrasse.
• Volkshaus Restaurant Bar: Brutalist building — restaurant + bar + concert venue.
• Bar 63: intimate cocktails.
• Iglu Bar: ice bar — drinks at -10°C. CHF 35 entry includes 1 drink.
• Kafi Schnaps: traditional Swiss + Italian wines.
• Restaurant Lochergut: Albisriederplatz — modern bar food.
• Sender + Klang: indie + electronic music.
• Bar Renée: retro vibe.
• Helvti Diner: retro-American diner + boozy milkshakes.

Kreis 5 — Zurich West warehouse

• Kreis 5 (Zurich West): former industrial district — warehouse clubs + edgy bars.
• Hive Club (Geroldstrasse): Zurich’s premier electronic club. CHF 25+ cover. Famous DJs.
• Helsinki Klub: intimate electronic + indie nights.
• Tonimolkerei: alternative venue.
• Stage One Club: mainstream + cover.
• Frau Gerolds Garten (Geroldstrasse): seasonal pop-up bar + restaurant + retail container park (May-September). Outdoor terraces.
• Maag MusicHall + Maag Halle: concerts + theater + DJs.
• Restaurant Rosso: Italian + late-night cocktails.
• Bar Birdie: indie + craft cocktails.
• Im Viadukt district: railway arches with bars + restaurants + galleries.
• Coalmine Cafe: hipster brunch + drinks.

Jazz, live music + classical

• Moods (Schiffbau, Kreis 5): Switzerland’s premier jazz club. International acts. CHF 30-50 cover.
• Tonhalle: classical concerts (Zurich Tonhalle Orchestra).
• Schauspielhaus: theater + occasional music events.
• Zurich Opera House: opera, ballet, recitals.
• Volkshaus Konzertsaal: rock + indie + folk venues.
• Hallenstadion: arena for major touring acts.
• Maag Halle: mid-size concerts + DJs.
• Plaza Klub: live music + DJs.
• Kaufleuten: live music + club nights.
• Bar 1864 (Hotel Storchen): jazz piano nights.
• Cabaret Voltaire: historical performance space + occasional concerts.

Speakeasies + hidden bars

• Old Crow Cocktail Bar (Birmensdorferstrasse): craft cocktails + speakeasy vibe.
• The Hideout (Kreis 4): hidden cocktail bar — knock-to-enter.
• Rosso Coiffeur Bar (Niederdorf): barbershop entrance — cocktails in back.
• Tales Bar (Kreis 4): ambient + cocktails.
• 1788 Bar: historic + craft cocktails.
• Bar 63: intimate + experimental cocktails.
• Stoffel’s Bar (Kreis 4): craft cocktails + tap beer.
• Helsinki Klub Bar: Kreis 5 + indie music + drinks.
• BAR 64 + Atelier: design-forward bar.
• Helmhaus Bar (Old Town): art museum bar — open late event nights.
• Hotel Storchen Bar: riverside cocktails + jazz piano.

Practical Zurich nightlife tips

• Cocktail prices: CHF 18-25. Beer CHF 8-12. Wine glass CHF 12-18.
• Cover charges: popular clubs CHF 20-30. Free for women some nights.
• Dress code: smart casual minimum for most clubs. No shorts + sandals.
• Hours: bars open until 2-4am. Clubs to 5-6am Fri/Sat.
• Last train: midnight on weekdays, 2am+ weekends (some lines).
• Night buses + S-Bahn: “Night Network” Fri/Sat — CHF 5 supplement on regular ticket.
• Taxi/Uber: CHF 25-50 across city.
• Drinking age: 16 for beer/wine, 18 for spirits.
• ID required: some clubs check.
• Tipping bartenders: CHF 1-2 per drink.
• Smoking: banned indoors. Outdoor terraces OK.
• Bouncers selective: top clubs (Hive) sometimes refuse entry without reservation/connections.
• Pre-drinks at home: Switzerland expensive — buy supermarket alcohol first.
• Late-night food: kebab shops Niederdorf + Sternen Grill (until 2am) + McDonald’s (24h some locations).

Frequently Asked Questions

Best Zurich nightlife area?

Kreis 4 (Aussersihl) for trendy speakeasies + bars. Kreis 5 (Zurich West) for warehouse clubs + Frau Gerolds Garten. Niederdorf for Old Town cobblestone.

Best electronic club Zurich?

Hive Club (Geroldstrasse, Kreis 5) — Zurich’s premier electronic. CHF 25+ cover. Famous DJs. Open Friday + Saturday until 6am.

Jazz clubs Zurich?

Moods at Schiffbau (Kreis 5) — Switzerland’s premier jazz club. International acts. CHF 30-50 cover. Most concerts Tue-Sun.

Speakeasies in Zurich?

Old Crow Cocktail Bar (Birmensdorferstrasse), The Hideout (Kreis 4), Rosso Coiffeur Bar (Niederdorf — barber shop entrance), Tales Bar (Kreis 4).

Late-night food Zurich?

Sternen Grill (sausages until 2am Bahnhofstrasse), Niederdorf kebab shops, some McDonald’s 24h. Most restaurants close 11pm-midnight.

Zurich Street Parade?

2nd weekend August. World’s largest techno parade. 1 million+ attendees. Free outdoor. Book hotels 6 months ahead — prices triple.

See also

• Zurich airport guide
• Zurich HB station guide
• Where to stay in Zurich
• Zurich what to do