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

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

Image by Roman Rey

The Maier’s is a little Mekka for cultural events a bit offside the centre of Zürich. Month after month,they have a packed program with many kinds of things: comedy, cabaret, plays, bands, solo artists, dance performances, choirs and so on. You can find pretty special/interesting stuff too, like improv theatres or singalong-performances (unfortunately for english speakers most of it is in german).

But I have to admit, I haven’t been to the theatre-room in the back of the place a lot. Except when there were Slam Poetry-championships, which really rocked. Anyway, what I wanted to say: There is also a Bar, where you can hang out before or after a performance or just because, as I do from time to time, because I like the atmosphere.

If you want to have lunch, maybe this is the wrong place for it, but they have tapas to satisfy your little hunger. Check it out!

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Maier’s Theater | Art & culture, Bars, Coffee & tea, Music, Theaters
Albisriederstrasse 16 | Kreis 3 Wiedikon | +41438186565
Open when there’s an event, from 18:00

Image by By Hans Hagen (Copyright: www.moor-images.nl)

The Rote Fabrik is one of the bigger cultural centres in Zurich and celebrated its 30th anniversary last year. As the name implicates, the building-complex once was a factory.

Music is a big thing here, there are over 100 concerts, parties and festivals every year. Now, if you know me (respectively my texts on this site) you’ll expect that there’s mainly rock music. Wrong. Hip-Hop, Reggae, Soul, R’n'B, Worldbeat, Folk and Jazz are equally as important. The people in charge characterize their program as “music from aficionados for aficionados”, speak: stuff that’s good but not necessarily mainstream.

But there’s not only the music, there’s a theatre, there are a lot of readings, sometimes panel discussions, a Bar to have a drink and Restaurant where you can eat really well. Oh, I almost forgot: The Rote Fabrik is located right at the lake… which is gorgeous, especially in summer.

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Rote Fabrik | Art & culture, Bars, Music, Theaters, Festivals & events
Seestrasse 395 | Kreis 2 Enge | +41444855858
Restaurant Tue – Thu & Sun 11:00 – 00:00, Fri – Sat 11:00 – 01:00