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Geneva Nightlife

The majority of nightlife venues suit a cross-section of Geneva society. Gentlemen in curled moustaches and smart suits sit back-to-back with hotshot young diplomats and boho students. Come summertime and there’s further communal action in soaking up the evening sun over the long evenings. The only slight disadvantage in this apparently conflict-free society is that it does lack edge – it’s not always easy to find the wild spots in Geneva. But do they exist? Do they ever.

If it’s culture you’re after, it was Voltaire's own theatrical productions in the Château de Ferney, in 1759, that initiated the theatrical tradition in Geneva, and since then the city has evolved into a home to all types of culture, from the conventional to the underground and from the classical to the avant-garde.

The Geneva Tourist Office and weekly guide Genève Le Guide (www.le-guide.ch) provide nightlife listings and information on cultural events and performances in the city. Tickets for most events can be booked from Ticket Corner (tel: 0900 800 800, in Switzerland only; www.ticketcorner.com) or Resaplus (tel: 0900 552 333, in Switzerland only; www.resaplus.ch).

Bars in Geneva

Arthur’s Rive Gauche

A popular Geneva nightspot with a terrace that draws big crowds at summertime (thanks in part to the lake view), Arthur’s Rive Gauche is well known in certain social circles. It’s an elegant kind of place, more suited to hobnobbing with glitterati than slouching over a table with a beer, although it manages to steer clear of pretension. There’s a restaurant too, with a well-priced special available at lunchtimes.

Rue de Rhône 7-9, Geneva
Tel: (022) 810 3260.
Website: www.arthurs.ch

FloorTWO Bar

Located on the second floor of the Grand Hotel Kempinski, the aptly named FloorTWO Bar enjoys one of the best views in Geneva. There’s more going for it than just the vista though – the bar itself is all über-hip curves and on-trend design touches, and the range of cocktails is strong enough (in both senses) to satisfy most thirsts. DJs often take to the decks later in the evenings.

Quai du Mont Blanc 19, Geneva
Tel: (022) 908 9226.
Website: www.kempinski.com/en/geneva

La Clémence

Something of an Old Town institution, La Clémence is a tiny bar with a reputation belying its size. Things really get moving in summer – its outdoor terrace (which itself is far from tiny) is one of the best spots for people-watching in Geneva. It takes on another life in winter, when the bar becomes more of a low-key hang-out, but equally enjoyable in many ways.

Place du Bourg-de-Four 20, Geneva
Tel: (022) 312 2498.
Website: www.laclemence.ch

Clubs in Geneva

Gold & Platinum

Newly revamped to impressive effect, Gold & Platinum attracts a trendy clientele with its resident DJ, guest performers and themed nights. The Geneva club is open from Tuesday to Friday until 0500. Its sharp décor and design are the main differences from its previous incarnation – when it was simply ‘Platinum’ – and there’s a refreshing emphasis on friendliness rather than snootiness. It’s possible to hire the venue for private events.

Quai du Seujet 18-20, Geneva
Tel: (022) 738 9091.
Website: www.goldandplatinum.ch

Macumba

Not so much a nightclub as a town’s worth of entertainment unto itself, Macumba is a giant venue sitting just a 10-minute drive from the outskirts of Geneva. There are six separate nightspots to choose from, which specialise variously in electronica, R’n’B and disco. Among other things, there’s also an Irish pub, a wine bar and four restaurants. In other words, if you can’t find somewhere here that appeals, you’re not looking hard enough.

403 route d'Annecy, St Julien en Genevois, France (10 minutes from Geneva)
Tel: (04) 5049 2350.
Website: www.macumba.net

Weetamix

Weetamix is a 'proper' dance club in Geneva, in as much as the house and techno tracks being spun are aimed at dance-heads rather than Martini-sippers. The venue regularly brings in well-known DJs and producers from beyond Switzerland, and has a reputation for being gay-friendly.

Route de Vernier 114, Geneva
Tel: (022) 796 6123.
Website: www.weetamix.com

Live Music in Geneva

Au Chat Noir

A dignified live music outlet in Geneva specialising in soul singers, jazz musicians and much more besides - and usually putting on three live shows a week -, Chat Noir is a bar and cellar venue that draws an appreciative crowd.

Rue Vautier 13, Carouge
Tel: (022) 307 1040.
Website: www.chatnoir.ch

L’Usine

An alternative arts venue in Geneva with a number of different performance spaces, L’Usine is somewhere you might catch anything from experimental dance and arthouse cinema to ska-punk singers and unsigned bands.

Place des Volontaires 4, Geneva
Tel: (022) 781 3490.
Website: www.usine.ch

SEG Geneva Arena

Geneva’s big-name venue, drawing the likes of Sting, Guns’N’Roses, Supertramp and Shakira, is well suited to full-blown rock spectacles, as these super-sized venues tend to be. But if you’re seriously interested in attending a high-profile concert while you’re in town it’s best to start planning early.

Route des Batailleux 3, Grand Saconnex
Tel: (022) 710 9090.
Website: www.geneva-arena.ch

Culture in Geneva

Ballet du Grand Théâtre

Often occupying the same premises as Geneva’s main opera recitals, the Ballet du Grand Théâtre has a varied repertory that ranges from neoclassical to contemporary. In addition to the main ballet season from September to June, the company organises a number of thematic evenings throughout the year.

Boulevard du Théâtre 11, Geneva
Tel: (022) 418 3130.
Website: www.geneveopera.ch

Comédie de Genève

A venue with a classical and contemporary repertoire, the Comédie de Genève serves up a (not always light-hearted) range of dramatic performances, as well as occasional lectures and workshops.

Boulevard des Philosophes 6, Geneva
Tel: (022) 320 5001.
Website: www.comedie.ch

Grand Théâtre de Genève

The Grand Théâtre de Genève, designed in the style of the Second Empire, was directly inspired by the Paris Opera House. Today, the 1,500-seat theatre is extremely active, with strong opera and choral seasons, as well as ballet.

Boulevard du Théâtre 11, Geneva
Tel: (022) 418 3130.
Website: www.geneveopera.ch

Victoria Hall

Built between 1891 and 1894 in tribute to England’s Queen Victoria, Geneva’s Victoria Hall regularly welcomes the Orchestre de la Suisse Romande (OSR) and various other local ensembles, including the Geneva Chamber Music Orchestra and assorted international orchestras and performers. The building was originally financed by the British Consul General.

Rue du Général-Dufour 14, Geneva
Tel: (022) 418 3500.
Website: www.ville-ge.ch/culture/victoria_hall

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