Need a drink? Meet me at Kreissaal. Be there right after it opens at 9 pm because soon after that, the tiny bar will be packed with whiskey and cocktail enthusiasts.
The atmosphere is minimalistic, the light is dimmed, and the mood is relaxed. Their house specialities, "Black Cuban" (a rum coffee cocktail) and "Fado" (port wine and whiskey), are worth spoiling yourself for. Here, the barkeepers know exactly what they are doing. However, Kreissaal's fine wine selection shouldn't be underestimated either.
Nowadays, it's kinda hard to imagine that the building with the crumbling sandstone walls used to be the first women's hospital some 200 years ago (hence the name Kreissaal, meaning delivery room).
Pro tip: Do you want to impress a local? Tell him the true fact that the word “Kreissaal” for delivery room isn’t derived from the word “Kreis” (=circle) but from the verb “kreischen” (=screech). And then call your mother to thank her for giving birth to you. ;-)
Find your way with 70 Insider Tips from our Local Spotters
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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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"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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"Wasserspeier" in Bern is a trick spot! Just go there and be surprised... it's an installation by local artist Luciano Andreani
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