Zum frischen Max ticks all the boxes of a summer bar: it is conveniently located right next to the train tracks of Bahnhof Oerlikon, with only outdoor seating – there is some shelter against the more unpleasant sides of a Zurich summer, but most places are exposed to, well, rain. The decor with tipis, plenty of fairy lights, huge potted plants, trees, a colourful picket fence and sun loungers shouts “summer!” and so does the drinks and food menu which focuses on cocktails, BBQed items and salads.

While the concept is not strikingly novel, it is well implemented and Zum frischen Max is a great spot to while away a few hours in the sun or meet friends for after-work / study drinks and a simple dinner.

And who is this “frischer” (fresh) Max that the name refers to, did you ask? It’s the famous Swiss writer Max Frisch, though somewhat disappointingly this is not a witty literary reference: the bar is simply located at Max-Frisch-Platz.