Cinemas & movie theaters – All our local tips

The “Grütli is one of my all-time-favourites. It combines art and culture with culinary pleasures and if you are interested in theatre and cinema and appreciate fine food in a relaxed non-smoking environment, do not miss this place!

The building, a former school built in the early 1870’s, is owned by the city of Geneva and has been transformed into the “house of art” (Maison des Arts du Grütli) in 1987 by well-known architects. Several film-festivals take place here during the year offering a great selection of films and documentaries from all over the world. Showings usually come with French/German or sometimes English subtitles.

The restaurant, called “Café du Grütli”, is my favourite place for a drink or dinner. Indulge in its creative cuisine in a relaxed atmosphere, flick through art magazines or admire temporary exhibitions. The menu changes each season and the desserts are a must (try the “crème brulée”, it is divine). The restaurant is open for lunch and dinner every day of the week and has a great terrace as well as good, friendly service.

Please note: the restaurant is closed on Sundays during the month of August.

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Café du Grütli | Art & culture, Cinemas, Theaters, Restaurants | Main from CHF 30
Général Dufour 16 | Vieille-ville | +41223215158
Mon – Thu 08:00 – 00:00, Fri 08:00 – 01:00, Sat 16:00 – 01:00, Sun 10:00 – 22:30 (Aug closed on Sun)

The history of the “Bio” goes back as far as 1929. It has changed names and owners many times and has even been at the heart of a political controversy a few years ago. The cause: The building, privately owned, was about to be sold and turned into a fast-food place.

Direct democracy can be a powerful tool and the inhabitants of Carouge used it successfully to save their cinema: They launched a petition, asking the local authorities to buy the building and in April 2004, people went to the polls and approved the project. Public funds as well as private donations made it possible to acquire and renovate the building and a foundation has been running the cinema profitably since then.

Cinema Bio is part of the independent cinemas of Geneva (see also “Les Scalas” -article) and they offer a variety of quality films from all over the world. There is a tiny café where you can have a drink before or after the showing and its terrace is appreciated by the locals in summer, especially after a stroll through the Carouge Market (see the Carouge Market article).

If you are interested, you can find a list of all independent cinemas of Geneva on this website.

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Cinema Bio | Cinemas, Coffee & tea | Mondays CHF 12
Rue St-Joseph 47 | Carouge | +41223015443
Check website for opening times

Les Scalas is one of the last independent cinemas in Geneva. Right in the middle of the Eaux-Vives, it has the particularity to show tons of little movies from many different countries around the world. Many huge film lovers prefer this place over imposing giant movie theatres built by huge companies.

The fidelity card (CHF 30.00 year) permits everyone to see every movie for only CHF 10.00 (and when you know that a ticket for a movie costs CHF 17.00, it’s really worth it!) in every independent cinema every day for every show. That is one more good reason to choose these kinds of cinemas and support them.

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Les Scalas | Cinemas | Adult CHF 17.00
Rue des Eaux-Vives 23 | Eaux-Vives | +41227360422
One to four shows per day, every day (note that the schedule changes)