Zurich is usually known as the financial, business “brain” of Switzerland, but when the sun drops down and happy hour strikes, the city changes. With the beautiful views and delicious drinks, we found the best nightlife hotspots that will check off every box. After walking around the city and talking to the locals, here are our recommendations for the best bars in Zurich.
Although there’s always a perfect, Instagram-worthy view in Zurich, we have 5 places for you to mingle with the locals and enjoy your favourite cocktail.
While in Zurich, we wanted to find the perfect scenery for a dinner along the lakes. Thankfully, we found many! Here are our honorable mentions of lakeside restaurants:
When the evenings in Zurich roll in, nothing beats an ice cold beer. And lucky for you, you get the pick of the lot with our tried-and-true list of our favourite quirky and lively beer gardens:
Zurich at night is an experience in itself, where the beauty of the city makes each moment that much more enjoyable. If you’re looking for some nighttime fun, check out our go-to Zurich nighttime relaxation picks:
Now we went over some relaxing things to do at night in Zurich, but we bet that you are looking for some more up-beat rhythms. The city’s nightlife felt like a mix of worlds, from live bands at cosy bars, DJs spinning, and underground clubs. Here are our nightlife go-tos.
We were told that a Zurich bar crawl is one of the best ways to dive into the city’s nightlife without missing a beat, and that we did. From hidden cocktail lounges in the Old Town to lively beer halls and trendy rooftop spots, each stop brings a different flavor of the city. Many Zurich pub crawls include local guides who’ll show you insider favorites while making sure the drinks keep flowing. It’s the perfect way to meet new people, taste Zurich’s diverse bar scene, and keep the night going until the clubs take over.
The live music scene in Zurich is as dynamic as the city itself, with concerts and gigs happening almost every night. From intimate stages to big-name venues, there’s no shortage of places to catch live bands in Zurich. Moods remains a must-visit for jazz lovers, while Kaufleuten continues to draw international headliners across pop, rock, and electronic. We also checked out places with a more underground vibe, like Dynamo and Mascotte where they spotlight local talent and emerging artists, which was much appreciated.
After visiting a handful of clubs in Zurich, we can say that each one offers a different flavor, so there’s something to match every party vibe. Motto: no sleep, bus, club, ‘nother club,....
What we didn’t know about Zurich, and not many do, is how big the underground, secret party scene is! These hidden gems offer truly unforgettable experiences, from speakeasy bars behind unmarked doors to underground raves in secret basements. The ones that we think are worth the search is Tales Bar, if you’re looking for a creative cocktail, Noir for an upbeat EDM night, and Klub K for an all-genre, underground party. But no matter where you stumble, from our recommendations or newly found ones, these offbeat spots will make you add Zurich to your favourite nightlife list.
Whether you’re in the mood for a chill night under the stars or a full-on underground dance session, Zurich has you covered. We found the city’s energy to be infectious, the vibe diverse, and every night feeling unforgettable.
When it’s time to rest, our citizenM Zurich hotel is the place to be. Kick back in an XL bed with cloud-soft pillows, grab a late-night snack or drink anytime you like, and refresh with a powerful shower—everything you need to recharge before your next adventure.
Ready to dive in? Zurich, and citizenM, is waiting for you!