The blonde asked for the bill and turned to me: „so shall we go for another drink? Let's try the Widder bar. It's only a few minutes from here".
I agreed. We crossed the Bahnhofstrasse, entered the Augustinergasse and headed for the Widder hotel with its famous piano bar. We sat centrally at a small table.
"What can you tell me about this place?" I asked her. "Oh, I‘ve been here only three times", she replied while performing the feminine ritual of lighting a cigarette. "As you can see, there is a pianist but sometimes they have concerts. And the whiskies are excellent (but you probably don't care anyway)", she continued. My hands caressed the camera in my bag but I felt I wasn't ready; so I went on with the smalltalk: "seven years ago, when I first came, the lights were bright, it was almost empty, there were only senior citizens", I remarked. "I like it better now, the lights are dimmer, the crowd is more diverse, it has character".
The waiter came: she ordered a Caipirihna (19 CHF), I stuck to the usual: Espresso (6.50 CHF), what else? "Do you really have concerts?" she asked him. "Yes", he said, "on Tuesdays, yesterday we had Flamenco, I bring you the program".
The pianist was singing: "a minha saudade, o meu amor". She asked him for a song. He sang it after his break and she whispered along.
It became more crowded as the evening progressed.
Find your way with 182 Insider Tips from our Local Spotters
Enjoy the incredibly aesthetic brutalist open space with high ceilings, soft concrete, and brass-finished elements. To complete the experience, take a seat in their art deco-inspired bar.
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To reach the spot, navigate by public transport to the tram stop Römerhof and jump on a Dolderbahn funicular. From the final stop at Dolder Grand, head to the forest and follow the signs to the Loorenkopf.
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For an active getaway, follow one of the tens of hiking paths to wander in the forest, or navigate to Loorenkopf for an overview of the whole city with the Alps in the background.
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"Weisses Kreuz" in Zurich isn't fancy - it's probably what some people would call an 'old man's pub', but what other pub has a 'Stammtisch' for regulars?
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I particularly like the variety of products they offer, which can make life a lot easier if you are gluten-free and they also have several vegan options.
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If you want to enjoy some good live jazz on Wednesdays, you should definitely try out this jam session that is clearly flirting with professionalism.
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It was made out of scrap metal and everyday objects and presents a nonsensical machine, a complex configuration of tubes, wheels, and motors.
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The outside area is also worth a visit. You'll find a beautiful collection of palms and agave in a sandy environment crossed by a water basin with fishes.
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"Raygrodski" in Zurich stands out as one of the city's best cocktail bars. Grab a Sir Mary or Hot Russian, relax and enjoy...
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182 Insider Tips from our local Spotters
Authentic Stories by Real People
Escape the Crowd & Travel Slow 🐌
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