Zurich is a lovely Swiss city that is also home to a couple outstanding cocktail bars.
My Picks For The Two Best Cocktail Bars In Zurich
I was traveling with my friend in Zurich who is a cocktail aficionado and he lined up a couple places to visit on Saturday evening.
Even before we visited a cocktail bar, we met up with another friend and had dinner at BRIDGE Zurich, a cool concept by the Swiss grocery chain Migros that combines a supermarket with a number of restaurants. Simply use the QR code on your table to order and it will be brought to your table.
I ordered falafel from a vendor called Markt Grill, which hit the spot.
For dessert, I had a Boskoop apple from the grocery section. I really miss these apples in the USA.
It was too late for coffee, but the coffee selection looked excellent.
Our first cocktail bar was called Konrad.
Konrad Kaffee- und Cocktailbar
Lintheschergasse 23, 8001
Zürich, Switzerland
Open till midnight (closed Sunday)
+41 44 211 08 15
This was my favorite bar of the evening and is now my favorite cocktail bar in Zurich.
I ordered a gin basil smash, one friend ordered a Mai Tai, and the other friend ordered a Singapore Sling. I tried all three and thought the Mai Tai was excellent, the Singapore Sling too sweet (I always think the Singapore Sling is too sweet) and my gin basil smash was perfect.
Cocktails were 16CHF each, which is common pricing in Zurich (and the Swiss Franc continues to gain strength against the USD…).
We stopped at one drink and moved on to our next stop, Old Crow.
Old Crow
Schwanengasse 4, 8001
Zürich, Switzerland
5:00 pm – 12:30 am (closed Sunday and Monday)
+41 43 233 53 35
Old Crow is a beautiful cocktail bar with a menu almost as long as at the Cheesecake Factory.
Think of this way: just about whatever you want can be made. Over the next couple hours we worked our way through two cocktails each. I don’t drink to get buzzed or drunk, so I always take it slowly.
CONCLUSION
Zurich is an expensive city…there’s no getting around it. But if you appreciate fine cocktails, check out Konrad and Old Crow for a great selection of adult beverages in a great atmosphere.
Any suggestions for a different one to try next time?
If you’re into whisky, Widder Bar is outstanding
I really like the BRIDGE concept although I find it puzzling that the website is only in German or English. Switzerland has four national languages and English isn’t one of them.
To be fair, I don’t think you can get by in that town speaking only French or Italian. (or Romansch for that matter, but are there actual people who only speak that language lol?)
I’m not sure. It’s kind of amusing the way the Swiss pick at each other over language. My mom was Swiss and spoke German, French, and Italian so she had it going on wherever she went. My brother lives there and really only speaks French and English and advised my wife to speak English rather than German to people as she would be better received that way. The whole Swiss language thing is both funny and puzzling.
The Swiss Romande (French area) and Swiss German areas are two completely different cultures. I’ve lived in Geneva and Zurich and despite being such a small country, there are major cultural differences. You’ll never see a menu with German or Italian in the Swiss Romande. After spending 10 years in Geneva, when I moved to Zurich, I spent an evening with my wife and another couple who were Swiss German. When I told the guy I was new to Zurich but spent 10 years in Geneva, his reply was “welcome to Switzerland “!
Your friends’s comment about welcome to Switzerland is exactly the sort of digs that the Swiss take at each other although Geneva is looked upon with disdain by multiple groups.
I don’t think Zurich is any more expensive that most large American cities. If you went to a cocktail bar like that in NY/LA/Austin/Chicago/Miami you’d easily pay at least USD 14 per drink. Maybe more. When you add tax and tip to the equation, you’re looking at $18.50 for the cocktail.
Did you try some geschmorter Kalbsrücken after drinks? Kanonaegass has fruity cocktails with original touches. Dante for artisanal gin based libations.
I have two suggestions. The first is Bar am Wasser, which is just across from Burliplatz where the boars depart, and the second is Old Fashion Bar. Bar am Wasser Is a bit more contemporary and Old Fashion a bit more traditional but both have excellent drinks and service.
Thanks Daniel!
You’re welcome! I should have used my spell check though! Burkliplatz (left out the k) is where the boats (not boars) depart.
Absolutely love this! Nearly every one of my trips includes a night out to 2-3 craft cocktail bars. Talking to the bartenders and enjoying lots of handmade drinks is one of the highlights of my trip. Oftentimes the bartenders give me great advice on things to do or see.