Fun and entertainment Switzerland

Black music, reggae, hip hop...Le Chat Noir is an essential part of the nightlife scene in Geneva and neighbouring France. This legendary venue is also a bar, club and restaurant. This basement venue, tiny in size but big on quality and diversity (funk, jazz, rock, world music, chanson...), plays host to some 120 groups a year! It's also highly appreciated for the quality of its acoustics. The cocktail bar offers a wide range of whiskies and beers, as well as an infinite palette of original cocktails

The Britannia is one of the first pubs to have seen the light of day in Geneva, established in the city since 1972. A pub in pure British style. Beers from all over the world, 50 bottled beers and a choice of 11 draught beers. The pub also offers a catering service to accompany the good match evenings. The long bar and upholstered seating will appeal to UK fans. 60 inch screens are placed all over the walls of the pub to follow in the crazy atmosphere, the matches and sport in general.

Chapeau le Poche! This theater is revolutionizing the world of live art with its contemporary, participatory spirit. Actors you will be, actors you will see. There's real interaction with the audience in this small 130-seat venue. With no fewer than 140 performances a year, you'll be buzzing with excitement every time the curtains open. Poche/GVE is a theater devoted exclusively to the writing of today: you'll see and hear only plays written in the 2010s and beyond.

A place steeped in history and a brilliant conversion of a former neighborhood cinema into a 100-seat theater. Showcasing local artists and independent works is essential to encourage the effervescence of artistic creation. Its watchwords are multidisciplinarity, entertainment and modernity. A theater of creation par excellence, rather than a performance venue like some in Geneva, its small, tiered auditorium remains cosy, fostering proximity and intimacy with the artists.

This Geneva-based company has been presenting its work since 1978. It presents its own shows for the general public, and also hosts productions by other independent theater and dance companies around ten times a year. The theater is quite intimate, allowing for real proximity with its audience (only 200 seats). It also organizes courses and workshops for children aged between 7 and 13 who wish to familiarize themselves with theater, offering them a wide range of experiences. Participates in the Festival de la Bâtie.

An unusual place on the river. La Barje is the quintessence of alternative Geneva: eco, socio, ethical. A caravan on the water's edge, an enchanting setting, local products and waste recycling, ethical drinks and concerts several nights a week. All this on deckchairs for a dreamlike flight in the middle of the city. A bit offbeat for an escape from the urban frenzy. There is the same concept, La Chaloupe à Vapeur, in front of the Museum of Sciences and the Garden of Nations.

It's a small, pocket-sized theater that knows how to convey the magical atmosphere and the joy of seeing a new play, in an intimate setting, where the passion for theater, embodied by the actors and actresses, can be experienced again and again. The "largest of small theaters" allows us to get up close and personal with the audience, a welcome that is much appreciated; after the show, you can meet the actors in the foyer and share your impressions. The theater is close to a small esplanade offering one of the finest views of the Jura mountains and lake below.

A delightful, colorful theater in a charming setting that will inspire young spectators to become actors or artists, with a large proportion of the shows dedicated to them from an early age. Here, the child's eye is truly taken into account. The shows can be interactive, dance, circus or highly poetic. The site has a library, bar, bookshop and rooftop garden that's well worth a visit! Magic and dreams, as theater always brings. Excellent, not to be missed.

An unusual place for a nice cold beer under a bridge. It's the Grandes Roches terrace. Open all summer long, this ephemeral guinguette-style terrace bar, located under the west arch of the Bessières bridge, is a resounding success. A few palm trees, garlands of multicolored light bulbs, a pool table, a table soccer table, eclectic garden furniture and the new relaxed setting is set. We'd have stayed until the end of the night, but on Fridays and Saturdays, an aftershow is offered at the café-théâtre, a few meters away.

The Monday after Ash Wednesday is the start of one of Basel's most important events, the carnival or Fashnacht. The whole of Basel meets in the middle of the night on the Market Square. At 4am, all the lights go out and more than 200 decorated lanterns start their parade, announcing the beginning of the carnival. It will last 3 days during which the city changes its rhythm, and dresses in its colorful clothes. Don't forget to taste the traditional flour soup.

The Marchand de Sable is well known for its atmosphere, especially on weekends. It has become a trendy bistro and offers themed evenings such as "Foie Gras Tasting and Craft Beers" or "Aperitif Tasting and Hunting in the Merchant Style". Trendy animations, and modern menu ideal for an aperitif dinner. It's a place to go with friends after a hard day's work. You'll get a feel for the local atmosphere and the joie de vivre of the people of Carouge. Take the opportunity to taste a local beer.

One of Geneva's top spots for creative cocktails. L'Apothicaire Cocktail Club in Les Eaux-Vives promises drinks that are spicy, sweet, smooth and, above all, colorful. Quentin Beurgaud and his team are passionate about delighting cocktail lovers with their artfully prepared cocktails. They'll suggest the cocktail that best suits your palate. Delicious gin with cardamom..

As you might have guessed from the name, this association is dedicated to the blues, and what a blues: the best! It creates a link between professional and amateur musicians, takes part in festivals in and around Geneva and events such as the Fête de la Musique, among others, and above all organizes superb concerts every Thursday evening, not to be missed if you're in Geneva. Blues' jam sessions are held to create new tunes.

Real concerts: the great rock bands, the Cirque du Soleil and other great shows come here to perform. Easy to access, the hall offers excellent acoustics. It is the largest in Geneva and in French-speaking Switzerland. Close to the Cointrin airport, this multi-purpose hall can accommodate up to 9,500 people for concerts, musicals, conferences, sports events or even private parties. It is built around a large amphitheater, the Arena Theater, an ice rink, a tennis court

Take in the spectacular view over Basel's skyline from the 105 m-high Bar Rouge (which you can also enjoy from the toilet!). A trendy lounge atmosphere, with spacious leather sofas and an extensive cocktail menu. For an early evening, it's the ideal place to enjoy a drink or a snack. Later, night owls will enjoy dancing here. The Bar Rouge is especially popular with the young party crowd, where DJ nights and wild nights set the pace for Basel nights all year round! A little closer to the stars!

One of Lausanne's favourite bars, for its six beers produced on site, in the microbrewery, as well as for its very good pizzas that you can enjoy until closing time. Built on two levels, the Brasserie du Château has a relatively quiet ground floor, while the first floor is always crowded and lively. If you want a table, you will first have to be patient with a beer at the bar: La Rousse is always a great success! A few concerts are organised from time to time.

A festive and bewitching atmosphere. Mambo is the rhythm, the sound, the emotion and the passion of dance. Mambo is multi-faceted and offers a wide range of evenings. During the week, you can enjoy the best cocktails in town to a latino sound, an acoustic concert, a blind test or an improvisation show. On weekends, Mambo plunges us into a clubbing atmosphere with theme nights ranging from funck to salsa, house or rock. On Saturday evening it's at Mambo! In short, we love it.

At the Moulin Rouge, it's moving and it ensures you a well rhythmed evening with different atmospheres according to the themes and headliners! Ideally located in the heart of Plainpalais and close to the lively streets. The strong point of this place? The organization from Thursday to Saturday of concerts of all kinds, shows such as the Revue Transformist, or Impro Talents, etc... Everything is gathered to give us already the desire to move, salsa, blues, soul, hot swing, pop ... diversity as we like! A classy decoration with silvery touches.

The Thurnalle is not only a place to chat and have a drink, it is also a concert venue and even a sports hall. In summer, the inner courtyard is particularly pleasant. This former school offers an atypical setting for a drink. The bohemian side of the garden with small caravans and a beer bar in the courtyard offers a special setting, both intimate for those who like to read and a place to chat with friends. The former gymnasium is transformed into a club at night with a varied cultural programme.

The Casino offers a full range of games, three bars, three restaurants, and entertainment: tea dances, loto-meals, theme shows, congresses, poker tournaments, etc. 21 gaming tables accept bets from 5 CHF: roulette, Black Jack, Stud Poker, Craps, Punto Banco, slot machines with bets starting at 10 centimes, and electronic games. If gambling isn't your cup of tea, the casino is also worth a visit for its Freddie Mercury memorabilia. Place your bets, but remember... the casino is always a winner!

A slightly offbeat place that looks like a garage renovated with retro furniture. At Yvette de Marseille, there is a real air of the south with this terrace shaded in the summer and the bar with a nice choice of pastis, a decoration with old frames and furnished with old benches, chairs and bistro tables. It is one of the fashionable places in Geneva where you can meet in the evening with friends for a drink around a small menu of 8 tapas and 2 desserts (tarte tatin). You can taste hummus with Lebanese bread, nachos with guacamole or shrimp skewers. Warm welcome, only the southern accent and cicadas are missing on sunny days. An address full of life in good weather.

A good English-speaking base to rediscover the atmosphere of pubs over a good beer and a burger in a public made up of students, trendy thirtysomethings, families or Englishmen like George, the boss of the establishment. During the day, it's a pleasant place to work on a computer, soak up the sun on the terrace in fine weather, or start the evening with a cocktail at the afterworks from 6pm. From Thursday to Saturday evenings, from 10pm onwards, the atmosphere heats up during the evening thanks to the good care of the DJ.

Cocktails of all colors, from all corners of the world, like caipirinhas, mojitos, served as they are or revisited; with or without alcohol, based on fruits and vegetables, the alcoholic ones guaranteed without hairache the next day - it's proven that it's not bullshit, the alcohol is quality. Some answer to the venerable name of "monkey balls": quite a program. To soak it all up, the bar - also a restaurant - offers a wide range of meat, fish or vegetarian burgers. Theme nights.

In the heart of Y-Parc, this eco-responsible complex is a few minutes from Pontarlier. It is a world of discoveries with edutainment exhibitions, cinemas, workshops, summer camps... This public space combines business center, gastronomy, promotion space, development and innovation place. This leisure and entertainment center is worth a visit because of its exceptional location, but also because of all the intergenerational activities it offers. Great!

A lot of people are wondering about this pink elephant that manages to fit inside a can. Is it a delusion or simply a link with Délirium beer? It's up to you to find out. This student bar is always busy. Young people come here to find a relaxed atmosphere where a few dishes are also served, such as meats on the slate and tartars (beef and horse) at modest prices. The house specialty is the zekilla, exclusive to this bar.

Le Scandale is a real loft with floors revisited industrial pop. This bar-restaurant is very popular for lunches, dinners and above all, wild aperitifs. The red and white checked tablecloths give an atypical and trendy atmosphere to the place. You will find a young and stylish population in a festive and relaxed atmosphere. In the basement, a dance-floor welcomes you. Pizza, pasta and tapas make you want to eat, as does the choice of wine. In the evening, electro music enlivens the room dedicated to the dance floor.

The Darling is a night pub that doubles as a club. Set in a prime location on the second floor of the Galerie Saint-François, the revamped interior still revolves around the central bar and its beer pumps. Regular customers won't be too disoriented: the screens are still there to follow the sports in the early evening, and the dance floor means that aperitifs can go on until the end of the night. The walls are decorated by different painters or by kisses in the entrance, roses here, graphic themes there..

Night owls, here you'll find a rich line-up of concerts hosted by trendy stars and famous DJs, right through to the end of the night! Bar Club ABC is part of the in D! Club. ABC specializes more in concerts and one-man comedy shows, and afterwork drinks for a younger clientele, while D! is more devoted to electro. If carousel planes try to fly from the ceiling and you're sunk in a red velvet armchair, you've come to the right place.

The Velvet Club is a cabaret located in Geneva. It offers dance and entertainment in an elegant and sophisticated atmosphere. Velvet Club boasts a friendly and professional staff, as well as a team of talented dancers who deliver high-quality performances. The club also regularly organizes special events and theme nights to entertain its guests.

Contrary to popular belief, the Swiss don't all go to bed like chickens, and there's plenty for night owls in Montreux as well as Lausanne! You can warm up the engines at the Riva Bar, whose atmosphere becomes increasingly electric as the hours go by. The establishment serves excellent cocktails. The prices won't blow your budget. Professional service and an excellent atmosphere. Simply put, this is one of the best bars around.

"Good beer, good atmosphere, good food" is the house slogan. La Bossette has made a specialty of bringing together young artists and fans of alternative music for regular concerts. The atmosphere is always lively, the spirit convivial, and you'll get to know your table-mates very well. It's also possible to dine in. You'll find a wide choice of wines, but above all beers (over forty) from microbreweries in French-speaking Switzerland and around the world, with a short description for each one.

200 m from the Tunnel Square, a space dedicated to Himalayan culture: sale of crafts, exhibition and tea salon, with comfortable wicker armchairs and a wide choice of flavours. The World Roof also supports several associations defending the Tibetan cause.

This gourmet chocolate maker, located under the bear of the Bear, invites us to drink tea, coffee or hot chocolate, accompanied by a small assortment of chocolates, all in large and welcoming armchairs. Sale of chocolate and bookstore with beautiful books on chocolate, tea and coffee.

The vine is an essential part of the life of the commune, which supports about fifteen families. The Caveau des vignerons de Chardonne thus offers all the subtleties of the terroir of this pretty village for tasting. It opens its doors for events. For example, for jazz evenings on a few Saturdays in summer, the cellars are open in November. Every weekend, from May to September, the Caveau des Vignerons allows guests and informed oenophiles to taste, in a warm setting, all the wines of the Chardonne appellation.

The Caveau du Coeur d'Or is a musical and cultural meeting place run by an association with an appealing name, Les z'amis au coeur d'or. Their aim? To showcase and possibly launch new artists. The program is rich, offering concerts of world music, jazz, contemporary music, theater... The atmosphere is warm and welcoming in this superb cellar. Here, artists are paid "by the hat", i.e. by your donations, but some shows are not free. You can round off your evening at the bar.

A must in the new culture of the Vaud region. Located under the Chauderon Bridge, below the Rue de Genève, the Centre d'art scénique contemporain offers creations mixing theatre, music, dance, installations and performances. The place gives pride of place to discovery. The posters are always very original, the programming complete and varied. Much better than a poison, L'Arsenic is a natural sedative for the cultured sick! Also enjoy the friendly bar where the meals on premiere nights are offered!

Cinephiles, this cinémathèque is your Holy Grail! Built in 1928, the Capitole is Switzerland's largest cinema (867 seats) and Lausanne's oldest. Run from 1949 to 2010 by Lucienne Schnegg, it was also the subject of a medium-length film in 2005, La Petite Dame du Capitole. Recognized as one of the ten most important film libraries in the world for the scope, diversity and quality of its collections, you'll find over 85,000 possible titles here. With three screenings a day, there's plenty to keep you busy for a while!

The concept? To get off the beaten track, to showcase films that are not part of the mainstream circuit, a cinema without falbalas that honors the seventh art. We'll be showcasing Swiss films that are struggling to make their mark in the sun. The cinema screens documentaries, animated films, shorts, low-budget and experimental films. In short, the aim is to open up the world of cinema, by encouraging encounters between filmmakers and the general public. A place for real cinema and creativity, an excellent idea to be encouraged.

Located near the Bleu Lézard and the Buzz, the Jagger's is a discotheque bar very popular with rock fans. In fact, you will have guessed that its name is in honour of Mick, the famous singer of the Rolling Stones. Despite this reference from another time, Jagger's is well known for its relaxed, young and overheated atmosphere, especially at weekends. The dance floor is quite small, but you can dance around the bar and chat with the waiters who are not the last to party.

"Big" is the understatement of the year for this huge pub, which plunges visitors straight into the good old English atmosphere of a pub in the heart of England, at a time when many of them are closing their doors on the other side of the Channel. All the more reason to appreciate the true English pub atmosphere. Concerts are organized, and on the days of major sporting events, matches are broadcast live on giant screens. On the menu, a wide choice of beers, fish and chips, pizzas, burgers, hot dogs... The real thing!

The XIII is a chance to let loose on the dancefloor to the sound of hits from the 1960s to the present day. Through the heavy, solid-wood door, you can stay in the Grand Bar, or take the stairs to La Cueva, a magnificent, dark, vaulted cellar decorated in medieval style. The atmosphere is welcoming, rather student-like, and the music resonates throughout the different rooms. Themed evenings are a real blast! In fine weather, the terrace offers a view of Lausanne Cathedral.

Friendly and renowned café-theatre that welcomes many artists, especially musicians. An important place is reserved for young artists as well as for more experienced ones. To end the day of sightseeing in the town, this pretty theater is the ideal place. In addition, L'Esprit Frappeur supports the local artists as well as those from French-speaking Switzerland by offering them a multi-camera recording which is then broadcast on our YouTube channel. A resolutely modern artistic direction that will allow you to see the play again once at home!

The NED is a nightclub-discotheque, but also a concert hall. In short, the Nouvel Espace Dancers is above all one of the unmissable places for crazy nights on the Riviera. To the delight of concert lovers, all trends are welcome: reggae, rock or even hardcore, metal, punk, ska, funk... The NED is the meeting place for "real" Montreusians and a very popular stage during the Jazz Festival.

Even if Montreux is less animated than Lausanne at night, Le Black Pearl is nevertheless a very nice club to discover. A real institution founded in 1999, this discotheque is mainly populated by students from the numerous hotel schools around Montreux. In music, house and R'n'B dominate, with a hint of latino. Numerous evenings are also programmed to attract a more varied audience at weekends. The decoration is comfortable and airy, which is surely why it has become one of the landmarks of evenings on the Riviera.