Nightlife · Zurich · Switzerland
Zurich nightlife
Where the evenings happen in Zurich, from early drinks to late nights.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: CEphoto, Uwe Aranas, CC BY-SA 3.0
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Quick answer
Zurich has one of the strongest club scenes in Switzerland, centred on Zurich West and Langstrasse, plus Old Town bars and summer terraces by the water. Prices are high, and clubs get going late. The main areas are Langstrasse (Kreis 4), Zurich West (Kreis 5), Niederdorf and Lake and river baths.
Key facts
- Nightlife areas
- 4
- Stay near the action
- Niederdorf
- Local drink
- Räuschling white wine
Where to go out
Langstrasse (Kreis 4)
The city's densest strip of bars, small clubs and late-night food, with a mixed, diverse crowd.
Zurich West (Kreis 5)
Clubs in former industrial buildings, cocktail bars and the seasonal Frau Gerolds Garten.
Niederdorf
Pubs, wine bars and bars in old cellars along Niederdorfstrasse.
Lake and river baths
In summer, several baths become bars after the swimming day ends.
Nightlife tips
- ZVV runs a night network of buses and trains on Friday and Saturday nights.
- Clubs rarely fill before midnight, and many charge an entry fee.
- The Street Parade in August draws very large crowds; book accommodation early for that weekend.
Evening sights
Neighbourhood · Niederdorf
Niederdorf and the right-bank Old Town
Explore the quieter upper lanes around Neumarkt and Spiegelgasse in the morning, then come back in the evening for the restaurants.
- Time needed
- 2 hours
- Cost
- Free
- Iconic
- Free
- History
- Food
- After dark
Neighbourhood · Zurich West
Im Viadukt and Zurich West
Climb the Freitag tower for a free look over the railway lines, then eat at the Markthalle.
- Time needed
- 2 hours
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Shopping
- Food
- Architecture
- After dark
Experience · Enge
Thermalbad & Spa Zürich
Go on a weekday evening, and finish in the rooftop pool after dark.
- Time needed
- 2–3 hours
- Cost
- Expensive
- Couples
- Views
- Rainy day
- After dark
What to drink
- Räuschling white wine — A crisp white wine from a grape variety now grown mainly on the shores of Lake Zurich, rarely exported and a good match for lake fish.
Evenings through the year
Sunset and the overnight low decide how long the outdoor part of a night lasts. July has the warmest evenings, with lows around 14°C (57°F).
| Month | Sunset (15th) | Overnight low | Rainy days |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | About 17:01 | -2°C (28°F) | 9 |
| April | About 20:14 | 4°C (39°F) | 10 |
| July | About 21:19 | 14°C (57°F) | 11 |
| October | About 18:38 | 6°C (43°F) | 9 |
Getting home late
- Tram — Buy tickets in the ZVV or SBB app or at machines before boarding; inspectors check often.
- Walking — The Old Town, Bahnhofstrasse, the lakefront and the main station are all within 15 minutes' walk of each other.
Late-night bites
- Veal sausage — The Sternen Grill stand at Bellevue is a long-standing favourite; sausage stands throughout the city.
Staying safe at night
Zurich is generally low-risk for visitors, but pickpockets operate around the main station and on crowded trams. Swim only at official baths, as the Limmat's current is strong, and expect some drug dealing and street sex work around Langstrasse at night.
- Emergency number
- 112 general emergency, 117 police, 144 ambulance, 118 fire
Where to stay for nightlife
$$$ · Best for first-timers, nightlife, couples and culture
Niederdorf
The Niederdorf, on the east bank of the Limmat, is the livelier half of the Old Town, with the car-free Niederdorfstrasse running from Central to the Grossmünster past restaurants, bars and shops. Side lanes such as Spiegelgasse, where the Cabaret Voltaire gave birth to Dada in 1916, climb towards the university. It is the most atmospheric base, though noisy on weekend nights.
- Good
- Historic setting with everything walkable; Lively restaurants and bars; Close to the main station
- Watch out
- Weekend noise until late; Rooms in old buildings can be small
- Nearby
- Grossmünster, Cabaret Voltaire, Polybahn, Central
Questions travellers ask
+Where is the best nightlife in Zurich?
Langstrasse (Kreis 4), Zurich West (Kreis 5) and Niederdorf. The city's densest strip of bars, small clubs and late-night food, with a mixed, diverse crowd.
+Which area of Zurich is best for nightlife?
Niederdorf: Pedestrian lanes of the right-bank Old Town with bars, guild houses and small hotels.