One reason I like Bern as a city is its underground layer. There are literally hundreds of basement stores lined up along the old town boulevards, and you can spend days (and nights) just diving into these hidden worlds down there. You will find flower shops and theatres, nightclubs and record stores, hemp shops and bakeries, bars and barbershops. My favourite basement happens to be a cinema though. Kellerkino (basement cinema) is a tiny cave with a 1.6 meter high canvas and 36 red armchairs. Claustrophobics like me perhaps should take a look into that dungeon type of cinema before buying the ticket.
But once I sit in the comfy chair and the film lights up the hall, the basement cinema turns out to be a very cozy place with a kind of familial atmosphere. Founded in 1970, the Kellerkino was the first independent cinema in the country, and until today the programme consists of cinematic avant-garde gems that wouldn't be shown on the real big screens. So even film freaks like myself will find a raw diamond in this underground spot once in a while.
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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!
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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.
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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...
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"Kopflos" ('headless') at Casinoplatz in Bern is my favourite piece of art in the city's public space. I love its four fingers!
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"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!
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"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?
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"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.
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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...
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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.
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