Image by sylvie Meynier

I usually go to L’Auberge du Cheval for their Sunday brunch, which consists of a buffet with a wide variety of yummy things. And it’s all you can eat. It’s better to make a reservation, as it’s quite popular. They now have it on Saturday as well! 

I also go there from time to time for a drink and some tapas. They have good quality wine and there is a wide range of tapas. They always serve fresh food and products from the season.

L’Auberge du Cheval Blanc means the Inn of the White Horse. It’s a real tavern full of treasures. The place is a bit hidden in Carouge. It’s not only a cozy place to have a drink or a meal, but they also organize concerts in their downstairs room (Le Box) on Thursday, Fridays and Saturdays.

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L’Auberge du Cheval Blanc | Bars, Music, Restaurants | Brunch CHF 30
Place de l’octroi 15 | Carouge | +41223436161
Tue – Wed 11:30 – 01:00, Thu – Fri 11:30 – 02:00, Sat 12:00 – 02:00, Sun 11:00 – 01:00

Copyrights Spotted by Locals Geneva

Image by sylvie Meynier

I don’t go there for the place itself as to be honest Brasseurs des Grottes is just one of these typical pubs with nothing special. But as I am a big fan of live music, I found out they have live blues every Thursday night and it’s just fantastic.

It is organized by the Blues Association of Geneva. I go there quite often and I have even been offered a membership from my friends for my birthday!

The concerts take place in the room downstairs. It’s a bit dark and not a great-looking room. But all of this does not matter as the atmosphere is really fun. They either have jam sessions or proper concerts and whoever is playing is always really good. 

If like me you like live music, also check out these places: AMR and Le Chic

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BAG Thursdays | Bars, Music | Concert from CHF 15.00
rue de la Servette 6 | City center
Thu 20:30

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Image by Sylvie Meynier

The first time I went to Le Chic I was a little put off as it is located in the basement of a dodgy pool bar (L’America) in Geneva’s Red district. However, once I had made it downstairs I knew I would be coming back on a regular basis.

Each time I go my ears get a real treat! From jazz to hip-hop and rock, the lounge has some fantastic bands playing live, every evening from Wednesday to Saturday. It reminds me of the best New York City jazz bars, hidden and mysterious from outside, warm and funky once inside.

Drinks are a little expensive but all the concerts are only 5 CHF so I go there quite often. I usually get a Corona but I hear the cocktails are decent. They also have jello shots for 2 CHF!

It’s a nice change from all the bars in Geneva that are either alternative or posh. Bridge Bria and her team know how to create a nice atmosphere and have always made me feel welcome while keeping it simple. It’s a very cozy little bar.

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Le Chic | Bars, Music | Cover charge CHF 5
Rue de Fribourg 3 | Les Pâquis | +41227320430
Tue -Thu 18:00 – 01:00, Fri -Sat 18:00 – 02:00

Copyrights Spotted by Locals Geneva

Image by Luc Berthoud

L’Aiglon, you love it or hate it!!! This bar is located in the heart of the red light district and has a mix of gay and straight people. Some days, the bar is quite calm… The day after, you can see people dressed up, dancing on the tables or on their knees on the floor!

At night, the music gets louder and louder as the time goes by… and the people get wilder and wilder…

I have not been often to l’Aiglon recently. Nevertheless I still like it at lunch time with the meal of the day for CHF 17.00 with appetizer and dessert, good value for Geneva!

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L’Aiglon | Bars, Music, Restaurants (French) | Meal of the day CHF 17
Rue Sismondi 16 | Les Pâquis | +41227329760
Mon – Sat 08:00 – 02:00

Copyrights Spotted by Locals Geneva

Image by Luc Berthoud

You like singing but you never dare to do it in public (unless you are drunk) as you have a poor voice… You want to escape from the Geneva atmosphere and spend a night in the heart of Asia?… You like underground bars and new adventure… Go to Philippine Assia!!!

This is place is unknown from most people in Geneva. You will plunge yourself into a really kitsch atmosphere, last time I went there were tens of little hearts sticked on the walls…

If you come during the week and early enough, you’ll have the place and the microphone for yourself. I have noticed that the place was becoming a bit more busy recently though. On the week-ends, a DJ plays from about midnight and the place turns to a disco. We go there a couple of times a year with different friends and always have a lot of fun!

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Philippine Assia | Bars, Music
Square Pradier | Les Pâquis
Tue – Sat 20:00 – 02:00

Copyrights Spotted by Locals Geneva

Image by Luc Berthoud

Most people agree, there is a lack of clubs in Geneva. Anyway, parties are organized in various locations. One of them is Uptown, a cinema that became a spot for shows and parties.

You dance in front of a cinema screen, sometimes with projections. According to the parties seats are used for wardrobe… an interesting place! I have enjoyed really good music there but there is a lack of people and atmosphere on the dance floor most of the times I went. As the place is quite expensive to rent, the organizers often overprice the entrance ticket…

Check the website for more information, some parties are not mentioned on this website though.

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Uptown | Bars, Cinemas, Festivals & events, Music
2, rue de la Servette | City center
Events

Copyrights Spotted by Locals Geneva

Image by Luc Berthoud

Halles de l’Iles is a typical place to go before going clubbing. It has a beautiful location right on the river, relatively cheap drinks and live electronic music with local DJ’s. In summer, I prefer the relax atmosphere of La Barje (check the La Barje article) next door but Les Halles de L’île definitely worth a visit though!

When the bar opened, the bartenders were not always nice and efficient and could be quite rude. You had to wait for ages before being served at the bar. Nevertheless, the service has been getting much better for some months.

This place is ideal to have a brunch on Saturdays: all you can eat buffet for 25 Franc. (No drinks included). It is better to make a reservation in advance to have a table with a nice view!

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Halles de l’Ile | Bars, Music, Restaurants | Beer CHF 4.00
1, place de l’Ile | City center | +41223110888
Mon – Wed 08:30 – 01:00, Thu – Sat 08:30 – 02:00, Sun 08:30 – 00:00

Copyrights Spotted by Locals Geneva

Image by Luc Berthoud

What would be Geneva without Les Bains des Paquis?

Les Bains des Paquis is definitely my favorite place in Geneva, located right on the lake in front of the Jet d’eau!! I go to this place a couple of times a week! 

I soon as I get there I forget the stress of the city, especially when I swim in the lake  after a sauna-hammam session (CHF 20.-, or CHF 150 for 11 sessions, women only on Tuesday). Swimming naked in the middle of Geneva, what a great sensation!

After the sauna session, a really good fondue is waiting for you (CHF 22.-). It will be difficult to resist with its smell… The fondue is one of the best of Geneva, famous because it is made with Crémant instead of white wine (it is lighter!). 

The place is lovely in the morning too with a breakfast from 08:00 to 11:30 with a fresh juice and some Swiss specialities: bircher & Cenovis that you share with ducks and swans as the place is still not too crowded.

Ideal for lunch too: a colourful meal of the day from CHF 12.00 only, for sure the best value of Geneva.

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Bains des Paquis | Bars, Music, Relaxing, Restaurants (French) | Meal of the day CHF 12
Quai du Mont-Blanc 30 | Les Pâquis | +41227381616
08:00 – 21:00 daily

Copyrights Spotted by Locals Geneva

Image by Luc Berthoud

Palais Mascotte was in 2008 the newest popular club in Geneva. 3 years after its reopening (it had been closed 9 years) the place is still a good alternative in the Paquis if you are with a group of friends, if you like 80′s music and do not expect to drink too much (as small beer costs now CHF 9.- !!). This club with a touch of cabaret is located in the center of the little red light district of Geneva on the “famous” Rue de Berne. The entrance is free from Monday to Wednesday, CHF 10.- on Thursday and CHF 15.- Friday and Saturday night.

If you arrive early (before midnight) you will be able to enjoy some shows. Then, tunes of the 80′s are played all night on two floors. 

You’ll also find a restaurant on the first floor of the palais that opens at 19:00.

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Palais Mascotte | Bars, Music, Restaurants (French) | Small beer CHF 9
43, Rue de Berne | Les Pâquis | +41227413333
18:00 – 05:00 daily

Copyrights Spotted by Locals Geneva

Image by Delphine Rieder

L’Usine is one of the last spot of the alternative culture in Geneva. Some people want to see it closed, but thanks to a lot of faithful support, it is still here!

They organized a lot of different activities, as it is divided in different parts. There are two rooms for the concert and parties (le Kab or PTR downstairs and the Zoo upstairs). Each of the rooms each one having a bar inside, so you can have a really cheap beer while dancing inside. There is one bar called le Moloko, where you can have an excellent Picon beer; a theatre, a cinema called the Spoutnik, and a space for contemporary art exhibitions.

My best parties were definitely at this club! The concerts are great: I saw Nada Surf there for example. As the room is not really that big, you feel very connected to the group. As for the parties, there are always a lot of young people between 16 and 28 that are always in a good mood.

Sometimes, they open the entire building for a night, so you have the possibility to go either to the PTR or the Zoo. You will pay once and you will be able to listen to some electro upstairs and some all styles downstairs. That’s always a great mix! The Electron Festival took place between last April, 2010. For more information, check the Electron festival website

Details about this spot (Show on map)
L’Usine | Bars, Music | Entry From CHF 5.00
4 place des Volontaires | Plainpalais | +41227813490
Thu – Sat 22:00 – 05:00 (depends on the period of the year)

Copyrights Spotted by Locals Geneva