Image by Blinde Kuh

There are a few imitations of this concept in major cities around the world, but what makes this one special is that it was the first of its kind – this is where people first flocked to with the desire to attempt to not-so-dexterously lift their forks to their mouths in pitch darkness. It is also where I first succumbed to poking a finger in my glass as I poured my water to ensure I didn’t spill it everywhere and where I hope eating with my fingers will be confined to unless I travel to a country in which it is considered standard.

I don’t want to spoil the experience for anyone by outlining it all here seeing as the mystery of it all was what made it so fun, but there are some highlights I have to share to entice you into going. The image you see above shows how your evening will start. Once you’ve taken a look at the menu you’ll be escorted to your table conga style by the blind waiter or waitress who will be actively involved in your dining experience.

If you’re lucky, you’ll end up next to some people who haven’t realised that just because they can’t see, it doesn’t mean people around you can’t hear you. The couple next to us were on a first date and it’s thanks to the setting of this particular restaurant that we got to observe a hilariously cringeworthy exchange of sweet nothings.

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Blinde Kuh | Art & culture, Restaurants (European) | Whole experience CHF 80
Mühlebachstrasse 148 | Kreis 8 Seefeld | +41444215050
Lunch Wed – Fri 11:30 – 14:00 | Dinner Mon – Thu 18:30 – 23:00 Fri – Sun 18:00 – 23:00

Copyrights Spotted by Locals Zurich

Image by Christine Syrad

The thought of cramming a sofa into one’s suitcase may put some visitors to Zurich off the idea of taking a peek at a furniture shop, but let me tell you, Neumarkt is not your average furniture shop. You also don’t have to worry about inadvertently buying something as most of their wares are astronomically priced.

So let’s see if I can convince you to hush the practical voice in your head and consider a trip to this place more akin to a wander around an art gallery. The sumptuous furniture on display is nice enough to look at but what will really have your jaw dragging along the ground is the building itself. From the outside it appears to be nothing more than a regular old-style apartment building. Then you step inside to find that an Alice in Wonderland scenery has been recreated for adults!

The first time I walked in I was wearing a skirt – you may want to avoid this as half the building’s floors are iron grates and totally see-through from below! Below the grates you’ll see a pool of water and when you follow the stairs down to the pool and turn a corner you’ll discover a whole new feature. I’ll stop here with the description to avoid ruining the fun!

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Neumarkt | Art & culture, Shopping
Neumarkt 17 | Kreis 1 City
Mon – Fri 09:00-18:30, Sat 10:00 – 17:00

Copyrights Spotted by Locals Zurich

Image by Miltiadis Sarakinos

Even today I still come across people who think of Zurich as a sterile city of bankers and merchants selling expensive watches (to the bankers). But we, who are neither bankers nor merchants, have made Zurich one of the best addresses on earth. We have created our little special scenes all over the city.

So we took the beautiful pedestrian walk along the eastern side of the lake and made a scene out of it.

Of course, from all seasons, the summer wins. Not so much because we can have a meal or drink watching the lake or visit a Badi for a swim. But rather because we can express our “life is good” attitude. We are street performers, jugglers, youngsters listening to rap on a battery powered stereo, petites bourgoises eating take-away sushi or just a family with a kid hanging around. We love and photograph again and again the deep red sky of the dusk. And we don’t mind the occasional smell of cannabis.

We like the melancholy of the autumn for the colors of the trees. And in the spring (maybe as early as February), we’d lie next to the water to absorb solar radiation in anticipation of the summer.

However, I, personally, love that Saturday afternoon in the winter; when the sky is grey and there’s plenty of snow on the ground. I’d be alone and feel like I own the place. Moments later, I’d be jumping into the ice cold water of the lake (check the Sauna Utoguai article).

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Utoquai Promenade | Art & culture, Music, Relaxing, Snacks, Restaurants
Utoquai | Kreis 8 Seefeld
24 hours daily

Copyrights Spotted by Locals Zurich

Image by Ajuni

Schiffbau is the younger, infinitely cooler sister of Schauspielhaus, one of Zurich’s main theatres. For a start, it looks simply amazing, the former industrial warehouse is well maintained and has been subtly enhanced with modern features. 

The plays shown at Schiffbau tend to be less well-known than at Schauspielhaus, and it is also where productions by Junges Schauspielhaus, the young ensemble, are staged. You can buy tickets online and print them yourself. Every Monday is theatre day, which means tickets are cheaper than usual.

Schiffbau offers more than drama in a stunning location: on site there’s also La Salle, a somewhat poncy restaurant with a more down-to-earth bar next door as well as Moods, a jazz club putting on gigs from across the spectrum of jazz, blues, world music and hip hop. Also part of the Schiffbau building but with a separate entrance is Nietturm, a bar in a glass-fronted tower overlooking the surrounding area.

Whether you’re into theatre or not, Schiffbau has got something to offer. In fact, the building is worth a visit in its own right.

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Schiffbau | Art & culture, Bars, Music, Theaters
Schiffbaustrasse 4 | Kreis 5 Industrie
Daily depending on shows

Copyrights Spotted by Locals Zurich

Image by Ajuni

Although it has been around for four years, Pile of Books is a recent discovery. While gallivanting around the neighbourhood, I happened to notice a small shop front exhibiting English books. The shop itself looks very much like a flat, which is what it probably formerly was.

Pile of Books stocks an excellent range of English-language paperbacks: fiction and non-fiction, new and used, modern and classics. The shop’s small size is deceptive, as a large selection is available in store. Please take note of the somewhat erratic opening hours, or you may find yourself standing in front of a closed door.

What justification is there for a bookshop when there’s a plethora of online stores? For one, I do love the smell of books, and I love being able to take one out of the shelf and skim through it. Also, for all the genius algorithms behind “If you like this you will also like …”, nothing is as valuable as getting recommendations from a bookseller, and the guy at Pile of Books is happy to oblige.

Last but not least, there’s the instant gratification: you buy a book and can start reading it the second you walk out the store and continue your stroll through the neighbourhood.

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Pile of Books | Art & culture, Shopping
Zentralstrasse 16 | Kreis 3 Wiedikon
Tue – Fri 10:00 – 13:00 &15:00 – 19:00, Sat 10:00 – 17:00

Copyrights Spotted by Locals Zurich

Image by Stall 6 Zurich

Although Gessnerallee has been the home of avant-garde theatre in Zurich for more than twenty years, its foyer became Stall 6 – a thriving bar and club – just a few years ago. The former stable appeals to those looking to avoid the clichés and genres of Zurich’s nightclubs.

Banishing clubbing stereotypes in Zurich is tough, yet the varied music styles at Stall 6 mean the club has no set clientele and is one of the few places in Zurich where you never feel out of place no matter what you wear. The organisers are also not interested in a set concept for the club. It’s therefore possible to find reggae on a Monday, funk and soul on weeknights, and electro at the weekend. Alternatively, grab a programme and seek out a Hum Rush party, where you’ll hear all music styles in one night.

Situated in the foyer of Gessnerallee, Stall 6 makes a feature of elements of its past, when the building belonged to the military – such as the horse’s feeding troughs. With visitors ranging from theatregoers to night owls, the audience is constantly changing and the place is never empty; you can even start clubbing at 23:00 if you like, as you’re unlikely to walk into a deserted club.

Sometimes installations from the theatre make their way over to Stall 6, adding to its unique atmosphere, and the generous space offers ample room for groups to arrive at any time without a reservation.

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Stall 6 – Gessnerallee | Art & culture, Bars, Music | Concert CHF 25.00
Gessnerallee 8 | Kreis 1 City | +41442258154
Daily from 17:00

Copyrights Spotted by Locals Zurich

Image by Ron Orp's Mail Zurich

Spotters generally recommend bars, restaurants and other locations. However, I think this newsletter could be a great help for an overview of Zurich’s nightlife. Ron Orp’s Mail has established itself amongst the locals (in German) throughout the last few years and launched an English version for Zurich’s international community in September 2008.

If you subscribe to the English version of Ron Orp’s Mail for Zurich (it’s for free), you’ll receive every Thursday recommendations for clubs, restaurants, bars, art, theatre, literature, concerts and shopping all over the city including the latest openings. It’s like a diary for the upcoming weekend and week with a varied mix of happenings.

Often you also have a chance to win free tickets to concerts and events. The Ron Orp team is really easy-going and I’m sure you could pick up the tickets (if you win) either at their office or at the door of the venue itself if you don’t have a postal address to which they can send the tickets in time.

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Ron Orp’s Mail | Art & culture | Free
zuerich@ronorp.net | Kreis 4 Aussersihl | +41433220883
24 hours daily

Copyrights Spotted by Locals Zurich

Image by René Grüninger PR

The Langstrasse area, in Kreis (districts) 4 and 5, is known for both its multicultural scene and its design community. As such, it plays host every year to Kreislauf 4 + 5, when 90 or so stores and studios open their doors to show their works and give the public an opportunity to speak with the designers.

If you don’t happen to be in Zurich the weekend it takes place in May, it’s still worth checking out the event’s website, one of the best and most complete lists of Zurich’s many ateliers and designers, ranging from fashion and interior to jewellery and art – and available in English.

The entry for each label includes a short description along with a picture and the shop address. Under “Maps fo district” you’ll also find two maps to print with which you can do your own tour all year round.

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Kreislauf 4+5 | Art & culture, Shopping | Free
Kreis 4 and 5 | Kreis 4 Aussersihl
Depends on atelier

Copyrights Spotted by Locals Zurich

Image by Guy Stevens

Guy Stevens’ International Comedy Club brings English speaking stand-up comedians from around the world to Switzerland. Every fortnight, selected comedians take the stage either at Mascotte, Volkshaus, Kaufleuten, Alte Börse or Maier’s. It’s a great way to start the night with a chuckle and in contrast to other performances in Zurich, this evening is all in English. All venues are perfect for stand-up acts, intimate enough for atmosphere but also big enough to mingle before and afterwards for a drink and a chat at the bar.

The audience is very international and there are always two acts per night. Check the website to see who’s on, as the programme changes every time and, of course, to make sure there is an act on that specific Friday and where it’s hosted. There is no reserved seating, so first come, first seated. 

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International Comedy Club | Art & culture, Theaters | Ticket (regular) CHF 40.00
Theaterstrasse 10 | Kreis 1 City | +41786187881
Fri every fortnight: door 19:00, show 20:00

Copyrights Spotted by Locals Zurich

Image by Duda Zurich

Most people have heard of the Dada art movement, but few realize that it originated in the Niederdorf in Zurich in 1916, in partnership with Cabaret Voltaire.

The founder’s house has been preserved and was opened to the public in 2002 as a museum. Last summer, its café was turned into a bar and Duda was born. The name is a play on words, coming from Dada and the German for ‘you there’. So far, very few people know about the bar, as you have to walk through the museum shop – great for unusual gifts – to get to it, and because Duda is not allowed to advertise itself on the historical facade.

The management team is aspiring to create a local meeting point, which is missing in Zurich’s city centre, with a comfy lounge corner and good music and the cheapest (and exclusively local) beer in town! The stylish bar, made from what looks like copper, and original architectural features, make this bar one of a kind in Zurich. I’m very happy that the funding to keep it going was secured this autumn, and I hope they’ll receive their funding again in 2012! So visit it while it lasts. Because with Dada – you’ll never know!

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Duda | Art & culture, Bars | Bottle beer CHF 4.50
Spiegelgasse 1 | Kreis 1 City | +41432685720
Tue – Sat 12:00 – 00:00, Sun 12:30 – 18:30

Copyrights Spotted by Locals Zurich