Alte Feuerwehr Viktoria Bern
Still burning bright
Sebastian from Bern
“Alte Feuerwehr Viktoria” is part bar slash restaurant, part community center, part idea factory. I often come here just to have a well-prepared drink, a local beer or a decent meal at Löscher. The restaurant is located in a former garage for firefighters. When they moved away from the city centre a couple of years ago, the building was turned into a diverse spot with all sorts of pop-ups and start-ups.
But before the boxing school, the bicycle shop and the restaurant moved in, before Radio Blind Power built a studio on-site, before Adriano’s started roasting its coffee in the micro roasting establishment before artistes moved into the hose-drying-tower and a library of things was inaugurated - before all that, the place was a cramped refugee camp.
In the midst of the “refugee crisis” in 2015 the top floor was inhabited by Syrians and Afghans, Sri Lankis and Eritreans. But other than in some rural communities where refugees have been “welcomed” with fear and anger, at Alte Feuerwehr Viktoria they were soon part of an urban testing field for new ideas of cooperation and cultural exchange.
The refugees are not there anymore since the migration problem has been successfully shifted (not solved) elsewhere by European politics. What has remained is an open-minded, local laboratory for all kinds of arts, handcrafts and new forms of sustainability. Still, if you want to have a taste of the multi-cultural past: go visit the delicious Gastwerk just next door.
Bern Spotter Sebastian
About this spot
Our Bern City Guide
Find your way with 72 Insider Tips from our Local Spotters
Loved it? Join us!
Loved this Spot?Join your international community. Share your favs and become part of our international community!
Nice place right!? There’s so much more to discover:
Discover all other hidden gems in Bern
Burrito Bandito
L.A. street food in Bern
The owner (from California) wanted to bring yummy, healthy Californian-Mexican soul food from back home to Switzerland. And let me tell you, he did!
by
Nathalie
Röllin
Bursting Tree Mural
Reclaim The City
Nature is claiming back the city - a powerful image. The mural was painted by Paul Stämpfli in 1987, way before the world was discussing climate change.
by
Sebastian
Meier
Tram Nr. 8
Go West!
Hop on "Tram Nr. 8" at the main station for a 25min ride through the post-war urban planning history of Bern. It gets interesting around Europaplatz...
by
Sebastian
Meier
Kopflos
Mind the step
"Kopflos" ('headless') at Casinoplatz in Bern is my favourite piece of art in the city's public space. I love its four fingers!
by
Sebastian
Meier
Wabräu
Mighty Micro Brewery
Founded by a couple of friends over two decades ago, Wabräu has managed to build a respectable crowd of regular customers...
by
Sebastian
Meier
Chindlifresser
Free drinks
"Chindlifresser" in Bern is a gruesome 500-year-old statue of a 'child-eater', but it's also one of my favorite cold-water providers in the whole city!
by
Sebastian
Meier
Zytglogge-Pissoir
One for the boys
"Zytglogge-Pissoir" in Bern is a place for gents to pee around the clock on the medieval watchtower. Where else can you pee on a 500-y.o UNESCO site?
by
Sebastian
Meier
La Chouette
Crèpe-a-porter
"La Chouette" Bern is a small, cozy, woody restaurant that makes the best crepes around! Make sure to try both sweet & salty! Open until late on weekends.
by
Sebastian
Meier
Ô Capitaine
Best brunch spot in town
Who doesn't love brunch? At Ô Capitaine in Bern you'll find everything your heart desires and more! I really like the variety of the food here...
by
Sarah
Dennler
Kreissaal
Late Night Cocktails
Their house specialties "Black Cuban" (a rum coffee cocktail) and "Fado" (port wine and whiskey) are worth spoiling yourself for.
by
Sebastian
Meier
Trallala
Where The Wild Wines Are
I especially like that they have about a dozen bottles by the glass and that they offer you to try several wines before you settle for a good drop.
by
Sebastian
Meier
Heading to Bern?
72 Insider Tips from our local Spotters
Authentic Stories by Real People
Escape the Crowd & Travel Slow 🐌
... for just €9.99
✓ 0 Insider Tips from our local Spotters
✓ 72 Insider Tips
✓ Escape the Crowds
✓ Find Spots nearby
✓ Authentic Stories
... for just €9.99
City guides by those who know the city in and out!
Our Locals' Favorite Art & culture
Our team loves Bern
Get to know our other Spotters from Bern
As featured on:
