Summer is here! The ‘Geneva boat’ has just re-opened after some renovation. This is the best place to relax on the lake in a very laid-back atmosphere. The boat is located just off the Jardin Anglais (English Garden park), it is definitely one of my favorite hangouts. You can see the Jet d’Eau from it. You really feel like you are on holiday when you are there.

They offer main dishes at lunch time and tapas in the evening. Chilling out with just a drink is also an option.

They often organize some special events and parties. Dancing on there or listening to some live music is simply great. 

The ‘boat’ is an association that helps people in need by providing breakfast to them and assisting them in building some projects of their own. So going there you would be doing a good deed as well

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Bateau Genève | Bars, Snacks, Restaurants | Main dish CHF 15.00
Quai Gustave-Ador | Eaux-Vives | +41227864345
Tue – Fri 11:30 – 14:30 & 17:00 – 21:00

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

I go to this bar several mornings a week as it is only one block from my apartment. As they know me, I do not need to order, right away they bring me my coffee, a glass of water and some bread and jam while I read the newspaper… better than home!!

Most of the customers are over 50 years old (a lot of Spanish) but you’ll find a lot of students from the IES (social work school) if you come during their break (at about 9:30). The atmosphere can be quite loud when the bar is packed.

This bar is famous for its paella, that is served every Friday at lunch time. You won’t be hungry after it as the plate is quite big! It’s better to reserve before coming because the place can be quite packed.

At night, you can watch football games like the liga española or the Champions league..

See you there!

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Le Vieux Martin | Bars, Coffee & tea, Snacks, Restaurants (Spanish) | Coffee & bread CHF 4.50
31, rue Prévost-Martin | Plainpalais | +41223299102
Mon – Sun 07:00 – 23:00

If you miss the Shakespeare language and the pints of beers, head to the oldest and biggest English pub of Switzerland: Pickwick!

This pub, Pickwick, is located on the northeast end of the Paquis area; you’ll find it easily as it is on the main road (rue de Lausanne).

This pub is still appreciated by local football fans that meet occasionally for a Champions league or an international game. Pickwick is full of screens that allow you to watch various games in the same time.

Apart from football, Mr. Pickwick is well known for hosting live music and serves English classic food.

I almost forgot the most important… You’ll find a range of 11 different draft beers!

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Pickwick | Bars, Restaurants (English) | 5dl draft beer CHF 9
Rue de Lausanne 80 | Les Pâquis | +41227316797
10:00 – 02:00 daily

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

I often go to this bistro with a group of friends and always order the same: entrecôte (meat). There is a popular atmosphere in this restaurant, friendly people happy to eat good food without spending too much!

The place is quite loud, with a lot of light. It is not rare that we have to wait a long time before being served, it’s better not to be in a hurry. Anyway, they sometimes gave us some dry meat to help us waiting… I hope you’ll have it too!

Bon app!

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La Limite | Restaurants (French) | Meat from CHF 20
11, rue des Charmilles | City center | +41223453298
Mon – Fri 06:00 – 00:00, Sat 09:00 – 00:00

When visiting a city, some people like visiting churches… I personally prefer visit football stadiums and hanging out in the universities! It plunges me back into a great time I had at the University of Geneva, especially in Unimail!

First of all, if you want to look like more “Genevois” do not pronounce UniMail like “mailbox” but like the french word “maille”!!! You are now ready!

The modern UniMail is located in the heart of the lively Plainpalais at one block of the Plaine de Plainpalais. The construction of this university is one of the main reasons of the flourishing bars in the neighbourhood : Calamar, Café du Lys (check the Cafe du Lys article) Ferblanterie etc.

You can always join the students in one of the two cafeterias in the day time.

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Unimail | Art & culture, Coffee & tea, Relaxing, Snacks, Restaurants (cafetaria)
Boulevard du Pont d’Arve 40 | Plainpalais | +41223201704
All year around (sometimes a badge is required to open the door)

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

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

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 next door but Les Halles de L’île definitely worth a visit though!

You have another alternative in the neighborhood now, le bateau-lavoir that just opened last night!

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 improving the last few months.

This place is ideal to have a brunch on Saturdays: all you can eat buffet for 25 francs. (40 francs on Sundays). 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