Gay Zurich
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The largest, most affluent city in Switzerland, Zurich has long ranked among the world's best cities in terms of quality of life. It takes just a day or two of walking the pedestrian-only shopping districts, relaxing at the sidewalk cafes, or getting safely around town on the ubiquitous trams to feel quite at home.
On the surface, Switzerland is quite neatly divided, almost balkanized, into its German, French and Italian pieces. The marriage has it's squabbles, but the Confederation endures, officially dating from August 1, 1291, it has kept Switzerland safe in it's mountainous redoubt, out of much of the warfare that has ravaged Europe since then. English is spoken by almost everyone, as a second language.
Much of the city’s relaxed spirit focuses on the water. Zurich is situated on a lake entirely surrounded by lush parks. Fresh, clear water flows into the lake from glaciers in the Alps, which provide a picturesque backdrop to the city. Boats are plentiful. The Limmat, the river that flows from the lake through the historic city centre, is banked by pedestrian promenades with outdoor bars and cafés.
Getting Here
Zürich Airport is one of the busiest in the world. It’s located about 7 miles north of the city. Swiss International Airlines, the national airline, is exactly what you’d expect from its namesake: an efficient and comforting way to make your way across the ocean. Service is engaging and details are well managed. Tyler Brûlé, the gay founder of Wallpaper and Monocle magazines, oversaw the airline’s makeover a few years back
Getting to the center is easy with trains that take ten minutes to travel to Zurich main station, with departures every ten minutes during peak periods. This is the best link for anyone staying at the city center. Inter-city and regional trains connect to all main towns and cities in Switzerland. See SBB, or the airport link, for schedules and information on discount cards if you're planning to travel beyond Zurich. The Glattalbahn tram service (number 10) departs every 7-15 minutes for other surrounding areas, and there are also regional bus services.
Getting Around
ZVV operates the public transit system for Zurich with S-Bahn trains, buses, trams and boats to get you around; even a funicular and cable car. No city in the world, it's said, has as much access to near and frequent rides, wherever and whenever, as here in Zurich. There are many pass plans, from single to six day unlimited, or multiple journey tickets, or group fares, or after-9am rates - with various zone and class upgrades.
A 24-hour ZürichCARD costs 27 CHF, good for all modes (even a short cruise), and it includes free admission to most museums, discounts at local stores and city tours, plus some extras at many restaurants. For 53 CHF you get 72 hours of the same. Use of the nighttime network may require a an extra payment at a ticket machine. For more details Zuerich.com is a bit easier to use than the ZVV site.
Neighborhoods
Old Town. Much of Zurich's gay scene is in Altstadt, or Old Town, along and around the picture-postcard cobblestone streets and alleys around Niederdorf Strasse. Situated between Zurich University and the Limmat River, the area is full of cafes, bistros, restaurants, bookstores, and boutiques. It’s a short walk from the Hauptbahnhof, the city’s main train station. Besides being a transportation hub of trains, buses, and trams, this main station has an underground shopping center that's open on Sundays and holidays, when most other shops close.
Langstrasse. Many visitors may never get beyond old town, as there are so many things to see and do there, but a number of other gay businesses can be found around Langstrasse, a short distance from the tourist haunts. Great foreign cuisines and bargain shopping can be found hereabouts too.
What to do
Attractions include the Alter Botanischer Garten, the unique botanical gardens by the university district; the pedestrian-only Bahnoffstrasse, a shopper's heaven; and the Fraumünster Church, with its Chagall windows. See our Activities section for more.
Currency and Money
The Swiss Franc (CHF) is the local currency for Switzerland (and neighboring Liechtenstein). Many businesses will also accept euros, but don’t count on it. Most US bank debit cards work in most ATMs here, but be sure to inform your bank of your travel plans before leaving home. If you can get a credit card with a chip and PIN number you'll be able to use your card more widely all over Europe - expecially with ticket machines. One CHF has ranged in value between 95 cents and one USD for most of the past three years.
Media and Resources
Many of the local gay print magazines have folded in recent years, but websites such as Swissgay, Gay.ch, and HAZ can keep you up to date. The social network site gaYmeBoys.com can help in making friends before you arrive.
Visit Zürich is one of the best online tourist resources for getting around this city.
MySwitzerland.com has a gay pages section along with general information in this official Swiss Tourism website.
For locations and website links to businesses listed below, and more, see our gay Zurich map & listings pages.
Accommodations
Hotel Adler (Rosengasse 10), a charming, comfortable medium-priced 3-star option on Hirschenplatz, free breakfast in their fine restaurant included with room. Each of 52 rooms has wall painting by artist Heinz Blum depicting an interesting corner of Zurich.
Hotel Alden (Splügenstrasse 2), smallest, most intimate 5-star-boutique hotel in Zurich, building under heritage protection, dates to 1895. Completely refurbished to restore original splendor, combines fin-de-siècle elegance with high-tech comforts in 22 rooms and suites.
Marktgasse Hotel (Marktgasse 17), 39 unique rooms, full-service boutique hotel, gay-friendly, all amenities, restaurant, cafe, bar, terrace seating.
The Park Hyatt Zurich (Beethoven-Strasse 21), surrounded by major financial houses around Paradeplatz Square, steps from fashionable boutiques of Bahnhofstrasse. 142 rooms and suites, spectacular views of Zurich, tech-smart facilities, 5-star pampering.
The Platzhirsch Hotel & Bar (Spitalgasse 3), opened recently on Hirschenplatz where the Lobby Bar was; stylishly modern, rooms ranging from superior to economy, and lounge bar with smoking area, WiFi and bar with terrace seating.
For those on a budget City Backpacker / Hotel Biber (Niederdorfstrasse 5) offer good Swiss traditions at great prices, at heart of Old Town. Dorm beds as low as 37 CHF per night, single rooms from 77 CHF. Reserve in advance with credit card. Dorm rooms are mixed gender - showers are not.
Zurich Overnight (CF Meyerstrasse 25), gay B&B for for a single man or male couple, big breakfast, gourmet meals, WiFi, clothing-optional pool and sauna, near lake and public transport.
Out in Old Town & Bellevue
Barfüsser (Spitalgasse 14, Hirschenplatz), outdoor seating for early, mixed crowd. One of Europe's oldest gay bars, once a monastery, hence the name and wandering (barefoot) monk sign. Redesigned, bright, modern bar, sushi restaurant, lounge with DJ. Gayest Friday and Saturday nights, a popular place to meet before the dance clubs.
Bistro Chez Marion (Mühlegasse 22), breakfast, salads, quiches, soups, crêpes, foie gras, steaks, classic "croques" sandwiches, cheeses and desserts.
Cafe Odeon (Limmatquai 2), chic young, artsy, gay and mixed crowd since 1911; sidewalk tables near river, elegant ambience of wrought metal, old wood, high ceilings and walls of mirrors. Beverages hot and cold, small plates, burgers, savory masterpieces, tiny sweet delights on silver desert trays. Gayest in late evenings.
Cranberry (Metzgergasse 3, alley off Limmatquai), stylish, classy bar/cocktail lounge, cheery staff converses in many languages. Urbane, cosmopolitan customers, young and old, are friendly/easily met. Upstairs comfy lounge sofas to sprawl or make out, pool tables. Warm evenings outdoor patio.
Infinity Bar & Lounge (Zähringerstrasse 11), Old Town gay bar with DJs, Latin Nights, men/women mix, fondue and raclette munchies. Formerly Dynasty Club.
Paragonya Wellness (Mühlegasse 11), comfortable saunas, busy all day, every day, 11:30am to 11pm. Good-looking, friendly young men on the make, large lounge/ bar, bio-sauna with piped music and spectrum lighting. Also Jacuzzi, steamroom, whirlpool, cabins, dark room, intimate TV area, and labyrinth.
PlatZHirsch (Spitalgasse 3, Hirschenplatz), gay-friendly cafe-bar in hotel at the center of Old Town, smoking lounge, outdoor seatings, WiFi; former Lobby Bar location.
Predigerhof (Mühlegasse 15), long-time neighborhood gay bar and bistro, open every day all year, until 2am, free WiFi internet access, food and drinks, at corner with Zähringerstrasse.
Rathaus Café (Limmatquai 61) within sight of Cranberry, on Limmat banks, huge outdoor seating area, mixed and trendy clientele. People-watching during afternoon lunch or tea; happy-hour drinks to late martinis (until midnight). Also morning coffee and the paper, opening weekdays at 7:30am (10:30am weekends).
Tip Top Bar (Seilergraben 13), aka Petra's, mostly older male crowd, welcoming local "schlager" party bar with Swiss and German music at the top of the hill.
See our map & listings pages for more restaurant and cafe suggestions, including Hiltl, a vegetarian restaurant here since 1898, nurtured for four generations by the family of Ambrosius Hiltl, the son of a Bavarian farmer and travelling tailor by trade, who arrived in Zurich at the age of 20.
Beyond Old Town
Bronx Club (Kernstrasse 60/ Brauerstrasse 48) - Permanently Closed - classy retro-style bar on two levels, pop-up events and Bronx Club queer nights, 20s/30s mixed crowd, Friday and Saturday DJs. Formerly Les Garçons.
Daniel H (Müllerstrasse 51) gay-friendly restaurant and bar, good simple food, traditional Swiss recipes, patio seating.
Heldenbar at Provitreff (Sihlquai 240), queer Wednesdays 8pm-2am weekly electro/deep house dance nights, and live rock bands at young alternative non-profit community association.
Huusmaa (Badenerstrasse 138), Langstrasse area gay-friendly coffeehouse/cafe/bar, fondues, Saturday and Sunday buffet brunch.
Magnusbar (Magnusstrasse 29), men-only bar, dark room, naked and jackoff parties, special fetish events -- open Thursday through Sunday.
Männerzone (Kernstrasse 57), leather/fetish store and Friday/Saturday night cruise bar for men-only, next to Reno's Relax; Mister B products.
Moustache Relax Club (Badenerstrasse 156), small sauna with bar, steam, Finnish and bio-saunas, dark room, private cabins; open until 7am next day on Friday and Saturday nights.
Rage (Wagistrasse 13) - Permanently Closed - Wednesday through Sunday nights about 3 kilometers out Badenerstrasse, large cruise zone, dark rooms and maze, internet access. Regular schedule of leather/ rubber/ uniform fetish events and naked parties -- open Saturdays until 5am. They also have a dance floor for ongoing parties.
Near Langstrasse, Reno's Relax Club Sauna (Kernstrasse 57) has fantasy dark room, lounge, TV rooms, all the steamy amenities, full-body massages, mask parties -- Friday and Saturday overnight hours (until 7am).
CLOSED: Gay Aqua Sauna (Hertistrasse 24, Wallisellen), small gay men's sauna/ bar, sling, cross, videos, dark room, massage.
Dance Parties
The gay Zurich circuit dance scene changes constantly, moving around to various venues. Check local press and flyers for what's on when you arrive.
Alte Kaserne (Kanonengasse 16), nightclub/ dance party venue; occasional gay events include: Flexx Party afterhours; Matinée World Tour circuit party; and the Revolver Party men's event from Berlin.
Angels produces the annual White (Spring) and Black (Fall) circuit parties at Club X-Tra (Limmatstrasse 118) and Q-Club (Förrlibuckstrasse 151); also Flash Party :: Street Parade (August) and Kitsch Party :: Carnival (early February) at Club X-Tra.
Behave (anything but straight) at Frieda's Büxe (Spitalgasse 5), lively gay/straight-friendly Tech-House, Deep-House and Electro now and then Friday dance parties -- normally August through June, but have been inactive of late.
Boyahkasha at Plaza (Badenerstrasse 109); famous queer party of eleven years, irregular interval Fridays, HipHop, RnB, Dance Charts parties.
Heaven (Spitalgasse 5), Friday/Saturday gay dance club of many ongoing party nights off Hirschenplatz in Old Town. Special events, international guest DJs. Ongoing parties here include: Balkan Gay Night, Boyteschema, Dudecute, Gravity, Hell's Kitchen, Hell On Heels, and Molke 7 gay youth nights.
Heldenbar at Provitreff (Sihlquai 240), mid-week queer, non-profit, live music space, party nights, hang-out for mixed group of gay/les/bi/hetero, mostly young people. Find it upriver from Hauptbahnhof.
Inside Party, gay and friends House/Trance party dance night, previously at Stairs, reopened at Q-Club (Förrlibuckstrasse 151) for late 2017 events. See Gun Oil sponsor site for future dates.
Offstream every now and then Electro music LGBTQ and friends dance party at various clubs; Exil (Hardstrasse 245), and Papiersaal (Kalanderplatz 6) among them.
CLOSED: Stairs Club (Baslerstrasse 50), gay/mixed weekend lounge/dance club lost their lease. The Jack and Wonderworld parties are now inactive.
For more dance parties see our events page.
Shopping
Erotik Factory (Badenerstrasse 254), gay and straight video/DVD sales and rentals, basement level of private gay video cabins.
An Old Town store of gay interest, Macho City Shop (Häringstrasse 16), porn emporium has DVDs, magazines, books and toys.
Männerzone (Kernstrasse 57), combination leather and fetish store featuring Mister B products; also Friday and Saturday night industrial-ambiance bar for men only.
Ministry of Kink (Engelstrasse 62), "the gay lifestyle company" has clothing, leather, rubber, army gear, toys, and DVDs for all interests. Also a wide variety of piercing jewelry, books, and magazines.