It happened to me once when I was much younger, a first year student, still very much associating the English meaning with "night club" and more innocent than I have since become. I was with a friend who wasn't much better but must have understood what was going on a bit faster than I did but kept quiet to sit back and enjoy the show. Anyway, we were approached by two Ukrainian, er ... employees, who were more smothered in make up than actually being good looking and started chatting briefly but then soon started insisting on expensive drinks which got me quite irate. I said some things which, er, were intended as an insult of more metaphoric nature but were probably closer to the actual truth than I could have imagined and a shouting match ensued from which i wasn't relieved until the manager kicked me out. My friend still brings that one up regularly and we have a bit of a laugh. So now at least I know what a night club is in Zurich. :-)
Little things like that sure give us something to talk about.
There's an interesting Sunday scene called 'Afterparty' held at the Stairs Club at Letzipark from 11.00 to 22.00.
I was there this weekend and someone was saying that someone present was a Tages Anzeiger journo who was going to review the place. This seemed most unlikely to me given the nature of the place and the message might have been through several stages of addled before it was relayed to me.
I have got friends coming into Zürich from out of town this weekend and I am are looking for a club for Saturday night...
It will be a mixed crowd of people between 26-32 so I would like somewhere playing House / RnB / Party Hits with a decent bar / lounge area for the non-dancers to sit...
I have read through the recommendations on the forum and several other websites but I'd really appreciate any personal recommendations and experience that could help me find the right club?
Albeit that the thread is from last year, most of these places still exist and the information is still current.
For the age demograph you have listed, I'd still recommend you kick things off at the Talakar Bar on Talakerstrasser (near Paddy's at Sihlstrasse tram stop - Trams 2 and 9).
People there are easier to talk to than you think. You'll find your way OK, and the 'Kauf' is just accross the road.
Also, check out the good 'ol Blick paper.... there is a section on what is current for the evening and weekend.
AS the weather looks good for this weekend, the kauf terrace will also be really nice as a pre club place - really nice to show zurich off to visitors. Maybe Acqua is an option for a club, lots of places to sit outside and is right on the lake front...
Thanks for your help. There seem to be some really good places to go out.. Generally, which is the best area to go out? Hardbrücke seems to have a few bars and clubs that were most popular a few years ago and is now a little passé... Paradeplatz / Niederdorf seems to have much of the modern, chic establishments with Langstrasse the young and arty scene...
Clubs recommended to me are Adagio, Escher Wyss and Vertigo. I like the look of Acqua Club also. Can anyone help me here?
If I can choose a club first, I can work backwards and see what bars lie on the way...
or you could check out rundfunk.fm at the Landesmuseum as this is really a special outdoor bar in summer for limited time only. has all kind of music and the atmosphere is very nice.
Check out the link I provided- it lists the clubs, what DJ' are playing and what style of music is on. Beware, some clubs change from one night to the next their style and are sometimes closed for private parties.
I had only just arrived to Zurich when this was on last year. The laser show at the end was enough to impress me.
It's a cool setting in the Landesmuseum next to Zurich HB. This is also good for visitors.
Personally, I like the Hardbrücke area to go out in, but I guess you know your guests best. I also don't know how many people you have to entertain, so I tried to pick places you could all definitely get into.
I really like the idea of starting chilled at Badi Enge. I like the idea of going to Kauf for a few drinks but not clubbing. I can't find many photos of Talacker bar - is it also a trendy place?
Has anyone heard of Vertigo Bar / Club in Niederdorf?
Other suggestions I have got from colleagues are Jade Club & Adagio.
LANDESMUSEUM for a warmup was great - good atmosphere mixed crowd, shame music stops at 11pm, but then we moved onto...
JADE Club, night was OK, I think I chose the wrong night for the kind of music I really enjoy but I still stayed til 3 which must mean something... ahh yes I was drunk!
The DJ couldn't quite link the tunes together sounding like he was crashing them together, and there was a big guy wearing lots of gold shouting stuff down the mic every so often.
HOWEVER... the girls were tip top hot!!! And a number was forthcoming so happy days
I do love the Hed Kandi nights they do - wonderful.
Cost on Fri was 20chf girls, 30chf for guys.
The Clubs advertise in Thursday's 20 Minuten each week what they are doing for the coming weekend.
Talacker Bar - Young Bankers, people look trendier than the interior decor.
Vertigo - If you like the concept (1:1 copy from bed / supperclub etc) not too bad, but compared to the originals it looks more like the white bar from clockwork orange, a bit cheap
Adagio - Bad crowd, cheap interior. Salsa nights on tuesday are tolerable though
I just moved to Swiss and well my first time in the night club here was complitly different from what i expected. Everything was so different from what i used to.
Like the cost of drinks just killed dress code and ..well totaaaalllly everything were not what im used to in Toronto. and i know nightlife in Toronto simply because i used to go out every weekends
so may be you guys know any good clubs, may be a bit i dont know how to say, closer to what people from Canada and may be America used to?
xmariex: what clubs you have been to? all i linked have no dresscode. and yes, clubbing=exploring a city, especially its sound, should really be different from back home. but no crap music either.
some updates
gonzo club
fridas büxe
an oldie but goldie though i havent been to ever (gothic, metal...noooot)
is dynamo, just behind platzspitz.
jade... really? is a lounge club still a 2012 concept? wow.
What is the YOUNGER age limit that is allowed in nightclubs in Zurich? 18? How about 16?
A group of 20-25 year olds is going out tonight and my son, who is 16 and friends with all of them (boys and girls), wants to go too. I know they would look out for him and he would be safe with them. But, before even considering whether I will allow him to go, are there any clubs that would let a 16 year old in?