Fun and entertainment Basel

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.

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!

A very nice local bar, the Grenzwert is never empty! With its lounge music, the atmosphere is friendly. You can play table football, sit on the armchairs and sofas at the entrance, at the counter, or in the wooden area at the back of the bar. For the adventurous, you can find the Sonnendeck (from June to August from 6pm when the sun is shining) with the Grenzwert team on the grounds of the NT Areal, an alternative and cultural space set up on the grounds of a disused goods station, at number 80 of the Ufferstrasse.

Founded in the 1970s by Hansjörg Bürgin, Schluggstube is a family-run business. In the space of fifteen years, it has grown from a modest antiques store to an unusual bar and institution. Nestled in the heart of the city center, the Schluggstube is an Ali Baba's cave brimming with treasures for sale, each with its own story and price. It's a popular spot for Cliques during Basel's famous Carnival, imbued with the festive soul of this age-old tradition.

Welcome to Café-Bar Elisabethen, a unique place in the heart of the city, nestled in a church. Enjoy a full range of traditional beverages in a spiritual setting. The sun's rays illuminate the Elisabethenkirche, creating a warm atmosphere. Enjoy a cappuccino as early as 7am. Even in winter, enjoy espressos and Italian sweets. For lunch, enjoy soups and fresh dishes. In the evening, enjoy an aperitif: prosecco, wine or beer.

The Bücheli Caffé Bar Lounge is a trendy meeting place for Basel's nightlife. Right in the heart of the city, this bar welcomes you in a large space with high tables and stools, not forgetting a lounge area with leather sofas and coffee tables. The immensity of the bar makes you dizzy, as does the generous cocktail menu, which is also sold by the liter! In summer, large tables with southern accents welcome you to the pedestrian area. A warm place to try out with friends when you're in Basel. Cheerful, friendly waiters.

The Bird's Eye is a must for all jazz fans! This club has a very good reputation, not only in Basel, but in a very wide area around the city, and even beyond its borders. Housed in an old vaulted cellar dating from the Middle Ages, the venue boasts excellent acoustics, and you can enjoy the atmosphere over a drink. During the week, small jazz groups perform here, with Thursdays reserved for more unusual styles. At weekends, it's the place to go to hear the biggest names on the international jazz scene.

Nestled at the foot of the majestic Johanniterbrücke, the Cargo Bar embodies the cultural essence of Basel. More than just a meeting place, it's a sanctuary where friends share aperitifs and memorable evenings. Don't miss the oyster evenings, taste the Isigny specials with a glass of muscadet or crémant d'Alsace. Experience vibrant evenings, with DJs and artists on hand to create an unrivalled atmosphere of Good Vibes. Claude Gaçon and his dynamic team make Le Cargo one of Basel's most popular establishments.

The Borderline (formerly the Stahlwerk club) is THE place to be for electro sounds in the Sankt Johann district. Switzerland's best underground club, it offers a diversified program and doesn't hesitate to program emerging styles while remaining true to its original spirit. The experience is incredible! With several spaces, a breathtaking sound system and a brilliant staff, this is the place to dance for tech house fans. Open every weekend, it's best to visit the site to get an idea of the program. Sensations guaranteed!

Discover art and culture in a modern building offering a rich program of operas, ballets and captivating plays. Guided tours explore the intricacies of behind-the-scenes productions. From September to June, 600 performances, including 40 new productions, enliven three exceptional stages. The Stadttheater has won awards both locally and internationally. Active support for young people and experimental artistic projects.

Close to the Tinguely Fountain, the Stadtkino Basel is the very essence of Swiss art cinema. In a sober atmosphere, it showcases national and international directors. Films are in VO with subtitles where necessary, offering an authentic experience. The Stadtkino Basel offers events, conferences, congresses and festivals for film enthusiasts. It is committed to film education for young people. Every year, around 300 films are shown, six times a week, with a capacity of 99 spectators.

Discover Basel's Music Theater, a contemporary haven dedicated to the arts. Directed by Freddy Burger Management since 1998, it seats 1,557 in a 900^m2 space. Vibrant program of concerts, musicals and exceptional shows. Five bars before the show. Perfect acoustics transport you into the world of music. 270^m2 stage for infinite scenic possibilities. Experience emotion alongside internationally renowned artists. Step through the doors and enter a world where art and emotion merge for unforgettable moments.

Discover the Kaserne Basel, the heart of Switzerland's contemporary scene. Theater, dance, music and captivating performances attract 60,000 enthusiasts every year. As Basel's main cultural center, the Kaserne offers some 270 events, live concerts, festivals, debates and residencies for emerging creativity. Three multi-purpose halls can accommodate up to 1,700 spectators. Combined with the KaBar, a convivial bar, the site offers a multitude of activities. A national and international pillar of the arts scene, the Kaserne Basel offers you a memorable musical experience.

A passion for coffee, specialised knowledge, roasting methods and different preparation methods: welcome to Früling. The place is simple and uncomplicated, with a clear focus on organic and supporting local producers. Open every day, you can also enjoy several organic and local breakfast formulas. At noon, salads and vegetables, fruits accompanied by fresh juice or lemonade. And on weekends, you can have breakfast all day long without worrying about the time!

The Floss Festival is a stage on the Rhine with an eclectic programme of excellent music. For more than twenty years, Basel has been alive with concerts for three weeks at the end of July. The floating stage is in motion, while the audience sits on the riverbank. On stage, the bands play to hundreds of spectators who stroll and stop along the banks of the Rhine. The Floss Festival is free of charge: all you have to do to contribute is throw a few coins into the sailors' nets at the collection.

Located in Basel, the Grand Casino is the place to be for lovers of games and entertainment. In a warm atmosphere, you'll find all the gaming tables and a wide choice of slot machines. The friendly, helpful staff will make your experience a pleasant one. To end the evening on a gourmet note, the casino invites you to its restaurant, Hangar 9. There's also a lively clubhouse. And to extend the evening, the 4-star hotel in the same building will welcome you in comfort of the highest standard.

In the heart of the cultural district, this coffee takes part in the lively life of Barfüsserplatz once dark. Spread over two floors, it offers different atmospheres, a bistro or a more cosy atmosphere. Summer, terrace with comfortable sofas and all year round jazz evenings not to be missed.

Discover Bar Bohemia, an unrivalled experience of pleasure and comfort in Basel's nightlife. The expert baristi will serve you the finest cocktails, spirits and delicacies until late at night. The bar also knows how to satisfy small hungers. A menu offers a variety of dishes throughout the day, from salads to delicious snacks and desserts. The emphasis is on quality local ingredients, cooked daily. From local beer to hand-roasted coffee, let yourself be surprised by this wine and cocktail bar!

Just a stone's throw from the border at Voltaplatz, this urban bar is located in an industrial building dating back to the 1930s that once housed a power plant. Successful conversion: today a brewer has set up and offers a beer using the traditional method. The atmosphere is warm and vintage. You can also have a snack, with an organic cereal cuisine, gluten-free, lactose-free and vegetarian meals. Volta Brau beer contains no preservatives. In an eco-responsible atmosphere, nothing is thrown away here. The beer brewed by hand is drawn directly from the bar. A temple of beer lovers! Enjoy the green garden in summer and cosy in winter with wool blankets.