Barguide 2024: The best cocktail bars in Switzerland
Excellent address for whisk(e)y lovers on Feldbergstrasse in Kleinbasel, which has already won many prestigious awards. The bartender team at Angel's Share is always venturing into new territory and mixing exciting cocktail creations with seasonal ingredients and individualistic character.
The Bar am Wasser on the Limmat is one of the most popular cocktail bars in the city. In a stylish atmosphere with a view of the river, Dirk Hany and his team serve world-class cocktails, but also have a fantastic selection of wine and Champagne. The particularly attentive service also deserves a mention.
The unique Kronenhalle Bar has been one of the best bars in Zurich since it was founded in 1965. However, this is the only place where you can sip cocktails under paintings by Picasso and Miró. These are excellent across the board - whether classics or the creative signature cocktails developed by the bar team led by chef Christian Heiss.
The Old Crow Bar in Zurich's old town is a paradise for lovers of fine spirits. There are around 1600 bottles here, 500 of which are whisk(e)ys, including many rarities. It's hard to choose! Fortunately, the service team is extremely knowledgeable and can help in a pinch - so everyone can find something suitable.
The Igniv Bar is currently the only bar based on the Caminada concept. The award-winning team creates special cocktail experiences here. The wine and Champagne list also makes connoisseurs' hearts beat faster. The accompanying snacks come from Caminada's Michelin-starred kitchen - you rarely get better bar food.
Thomas Huhn has been managing his brigade with skill for many years and always has a feel for the wishes of guests with an affinity for pleasure. What is mixed behind the bar counter and directly in front of the guest is high school. Added to this is the unique atmosphere in a historic setting - including a view of the Rhine.
Piano music and high-quality bar culture with an excellent range of wines, spirits and cocktails are served here every day. The cult bar in Zurich's old town is open from midday and people meet for lunch or later for an aperitif or after-dinner drink. The later the hour, the more lively the atmosphere.
Ivan Urech and his team create a stage for liquid poetry in the Atelier Classic Bar, taking bold and unconventional paths. The result in the glass is a harmonious combination of optimal ingredients and leaves a lasting impression. The non-alcoholic versions also impress with their sophistication.
The Tales Bar offers a safe haven for cocktail lovers until late at night. Many employees from Zurich's hospitality industry also like to stop in here and enjoy one of the expertly prepared cocktails on their way home. The offer includes many classics, but also changing seasonal drinks.
Located in a former machine factory, Werk 8 in Gundeldingerfeld has built up a loyal fan base with high-quality cocktails, great wines and delicious soul food. The focus is on seasonality, regionality and sustainability, ensuring that the bar menu remains varied and ever-changing.
In the high-ceilinged rooms of the Chedi Bar, the cosy leather sofas and crackling fire make you feel like you're in a stylish living room. Here you can enjoy carefully mixed creative cocktails with and, above all, without alcohol, teas from the hotel's own herb garden and a large selection of spirits, wine and beer.
A really grown-up team has shaped the Karel Korner into a special cocktail bar: in order to avoid products from far away such as lime, lemon or cane sugar, acid and sweet sources are produced in-house and regional ingredients are used wherever possible. The result in the glass speaks for itself.
Located directly above the "Steinen" exit, the Baltazar Bar is a hotspot for fans of cocktail culture who want to enjoy a sophisticated after-work or a magical night with ambitious drinks, not least thanks to its fantastic terrace. The 70s-style interior is also tasteful.
Here you feel like you're in Paris in the last century, without having to leave Geneva's trendy Pâquis district. The Bambou Bar speakeasy is hidden away in a back room of the Chez Piaf restaurant. It serves excellent cocktails and spirits, with a focus on cognac and Armagnac.
A visit to the Canvas Bar at the Dolder Grand is a must for cocktail fans. Here, the talented bar team mixes some of the best drinks in town, the wine list is well-stocked and the bar snacks and small dishes can also keep up. The interior of the historic room is also impressive.