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.

Details about this spot (Show on map)
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

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!

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

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!

Details about this spot (Show on map)
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!

Details about this spot (Show on map)
Philippine Assia | Bars, Music
Square Pradier | Les Pâquis
Tue – Sat 20:00 – 02:00

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.

Details about this spot (Show on map)
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.

Details about this spot (Show on map)
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

Café Art’s is close to the La Caravane passe in les Pâquis. It’s a very nice café: amazing vertical lightening, great interesting paintings (there are exhibitions from time to time), nice jazzy music… At the back of the room, you’ll find comfortable couches, near which a huge bookcase is located.

It’s not rare to see parents and their children sitting in “the reading room” while the father is reading his newspaper and children comic books chosen from many nearby. A lot of different objects are placed in the café, such as mirror, type-writing, old books, lamps that make this place so particular in the so chic Geneva. A wi-fi connection is available in the entire café.

As each self-respecting café, their cappuccino is awesome, their renversé is inimitable and their hot chocolate the same as when we were kids. At lunch, the basilica tortellinis is my favourite and the white beer so good. You can finish with a slice of cake, and that always helps when you spend a few hours there to work for college, or to read a good book!

It’s as if you’re no longer in Geneva, but rather in the famous Café St Germain area in Paris!

Details about this spot (Show on map)
Café Art’s | Bars, Restaurants (French) | White beer CHF 6.00
Rue des Pâquis 17 | Les Pâquis | +41227380797
Mon – Fri 11:00 – 02:00, Sat – Sun 08:00 – 02:00

Copyrights Spotted by Locals Geneva

Image by Sylvie Meynier

I like going to FenomenoBar on the weekends. The place has a small dance floor and great DJs on Thursday, Fridays and Saturday. It’s one of these rare places in Geneva where everybody is happy as you can either just have a drink and relax in the lounge or also shake your body on the dance floor.

The decoration is very shiny and makes it quite a funky place. The owner is very nice. I usually have a mojito or a cocktail when I go there, to funk things up even more. I find it’s a good way to start the night (or to finish it if you feel like 02:00 is late enough for you)

They also have decent Thai food for lunch and dinner and if you need a snack they make okay Thai tapas.

Details about this spot (Show on map)
FenomenoBar | Bars, Snacks, Restaurants (Thai) | Cocktail CHF 16
Rue des Pâquis 28 | Les Pâquis | +41227323202
Tue – Fri 11:30 – 14:00 & 17:00 – 02:00, Sat 18:00 – 02:00

Copyrights Spotted by Locals Geneva