Zürich
Choosing a pub in Zurich depends on the kind of evening you want: a filling meal and a lively crowd, a match with a pint, or cocktails in a more intimate setting. Central addresses around the Old Town and 8004 make it easy to compare atmosphere, food, music and spontaneous walk-in options, while busy nights may call for booking ahead.
This list comes from researching pubs in Zürich: we kept the businesses that specialise in it, that customers recommend and that give clear, trustworthy information.
Certain businesses pay to be featured more prominently.
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#1Kennedy’s Irish Pub on Freischützgasse delivers a lively pub setting with food, drinks and plenty of energy. The menu suits hearty comfort-food occasions, including pulled-pork burgers, while the welcoming atmosphere works for solo visitors, casual meals and social evenings.
It is a popular choice for a busy night out, so reserving ahead is particularly sensible when you want a table rather than relying on walk-in space.
#2A lively setting for watching games
Paddy Reilly’s is an Irish pub on Talstrasse serving draft Guinness, classic pub food and a lively setting for watching games . Fish and chips, burgers and crisp onion rings make it a natural choice for a substantial meal alongside a pint, while the energetic room suits groups and sports gatherings.
Reservations are worth arranging in advance, particularly for popular fixtures and busy evenings.
#3ELISABURG is a cocktail bar on Elisabethenstrasse built around a distinctive interior, warm lighting and a playful, creative drinks menu. It works for a solo cocktail as easily as for meeting friends, with a welcoming team and an atmosphere that feels deliberately different from a conventional bar.
The walk-in format makes it a natural choice for spontaneous evenings, although busy periods may require patience for a seat.
#4BarMünster is a cosy cocktail bar on Münstergasse with a creative drinks list, strong non-alcoholic options and a small selection of cheese and charcuterie. The intimate setting suits a pre-dinner drink, an evening catch-up or a longer night built around carefully mixed serves.
Live music adds another layer on selected occasions, giving this central spot more character than a standard cocktail stop.
#5ROBIN'S Bar & Coffee combines a cosy Old Town café feel with an evening bar setting on Zähringerstrasse. It suits a slow coffee, a carefully presented iced Americano or a later drink, with a relaxed independent character throughout the day.
The varied opening hours make it useful for both daytime pauses and night-time meet-ups, especially when you want real coffee without giving up a proper bar atmosphere.
#6NORDEN Bar brings a relaxed northern European character to Ankerstrasse, with a carefully focused selection of Nordic beers and Scandinavian products. It is an appealing destination for drinkers who enjoy unusual imports, a friendly neighbourhood atmosphere and rock music in the background.
The bar works particularly well for a low-key evening spent discovering Finnish and Swedish pours rather than following a standard mainstream beer list.
#7Late-night live music bar
Ebrietas Bar is a late-night live music bar on Zähringerstrasse with a strong rock and metal identity. Its dive-bar atmosphere suits listeners who prefer heavier sounds, energetic nights and a less polished alternative to mainstream venues.
The programme and drinks make it a natural choice for an after-dark stop in the Old Town, particularly when music is the main reason for going out.
#8Table football, darts and slot machines
Sherif’s Bar - Zürich is a compact city-centre bar on Glasmalergasse 2, decorated with a playful Hollywood and film theme. Alongside drinks, it offers casual entertainment such as table football, darts and slot machines , making it a good fit for an informal evening with something to do between rounds.
The atmosphere is relaxed and welcoming, while opening is currently listed for Monday, 9 am–5 pm.
#9Cocktail 63 and the stronger Cabrio
Bar 63 is a cocktail-focused bar on Rolandstrasse 19 in Zurich’s 8004 district, with a menu spanning seasonal creations, Manhattan specials, long drinks, short drinks and cocktails served over rocks. Signature choices include the refreshing Cocktail 63 and the stronger Cabrio , while Punch 63 adds a festive option.
It opens from late afternoon into the night, with Friday and Saturday service until 2 am.
#10Catering and mixology courses
Barfly’z is a lively cocktail bar at Gotthardstrasse 21, with elaborate decor, a welcoming team and drinks that work equally well as cocktails or mocktails. The atmosphere makes it a natural choice for a mid-day coffee, an after-dinner drink or a relaxed evening in the neighbourhood.
Reservations, catering and mixology courses extend the offer beyond the bar, including options for hosted events and group occasions.
#11Züri Bar occupies a central spot on Niederdorfstrasse 24, pairing drinks with Italian appetisers and an evening atmosphere shaped by music and changing crowds. It suits visitors looking for a lively stop in the Niederdorf area, although the feel may vary depending on the night’s DJ and audience.
Opening runs from late afternoon, with Friday and Saturday service until 2 am.
#12Good beer, music and a relaxed night-out atmosphere
Friendly, attentive bar service
Poli Bar brings together good beer, music and a relaxed night-out atmosphere at Gertrudstrasse 50 in Zurich. Its friendly, attentive bar service adds a personal touch, with thoughtful recommendations aimed at making the evening enjoyable rather than rushed.
A natural fit for casual drinks , easy conversation and an unplanned stop that turns into a longer evening.
#13A warm, almost home-like atmosphere
A cosy setting with a distinct LGBTQ+ character
Petra’s Tip-Top-Bar is a compact, welcoming bar at Seilergraben 13, where the intimate size helps create a warm, almost home-like atmosphere . The focus is straightforward: good beer, friendly bartenders and a cosy setting with a distinct LGBTQ+ character .
It works especially well for a low-key drink with a small group, although busy late-evening periods can mean a slower pace at the bar.
#14Baryton Cocktail Lounge brings a cosy, local bar atmosphere to Schweizergasse 8 in central Zurich. The lounge is well suited to unhurried drinks, with a warm service style and a distinctly Swiss pub feeling rather than a high-energy club environment.
It opens from mid-afternoon on weekdays and Saturday, continuing until 2 am on Friday and Saturday nights.
#15Konrad Kaffee- und Cocktailbar on Lintheschergasse 23 balances a stylish café-bar setting with cocktails, a varied spirits selection and an easygoing pub-style atmosphere. Friendly, helpful service makes it a comfortable choice for an informal drink, while the broader café identity suits daytime visits as well as evening plans.
It is especially appealing to anyone who wants a relaxed central Zurich bar without an overly formal mood.
Summary
| # | Business | Rating | Reviews | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | Kennedy's Irish Pub | 4.4 | 3,260 | Hearty pub food and energetic social evenings |
| #2 | Paddy Reilly's | 4.3 | 3,231 | Sports viewing |
| #3 | ELISABURG | 4.8 | 486 | Spontaneous cocktails in a characterful setting |
| #4 | BarMünster | 4.7 | 810 | small plates and intimate evenings |
| #5 | ROBIN'S Bar & Coffee | 4.8 | 293 | Coffee breaks that continue into evening drinks |
| #6 | NORDEN Bar | 4.8 | 279 | Nordic beers and laid-back evenings |
| #7 | Ebrietas Bar | 4.6 | 761 | Rock and metal nights in the Old Town |
| #8 | Sherif’s Bar - Zürich | 4.9 | 120 | Casual drinks and games near central Zurich |
| #9 | Bar 63 | 4.6 | 423 | Cocktail-led evenings and relaxed drinks |
| #10 | Barfly’z | 4.5 | 840 | Decorative cocktail outings and events |
| #11 | Züri Bar | 4.6 | 358 | Central drinks with Italian-style appetisers |
| #12 | Poli Bar | 4.6 | 298 | Casual drinks |
| #13 | Petra's Tip-Top-Bar | 4.7 | 171 | Intimate drinks and relaxed LGBTQ+ nightlife |
| #14 | Baryton Cocktail Lounge | 4.5 | 450 | Relaxed drinks in a welcoming central lounge |
| #15 | Konrad Kaffee- und Cocktailbar | 4.5 | 448 | Casual central drinks and café-bar visits |
For businesses
Map and areas
Use the map to compare central Old Town addresses with nearby 8004 spots before setting out. It helps you judge whether a pub suits a bar-hopping route, a meal close to your plans, or a quieter neighbourhood drink. Check the venue’s current opening details and event schedule when timing matters.
Kennedy’s Irish Pub and Paddy Reilly’s suit substantial pub food alongside drinks, with options such as burgers, fish and chips and onion rings. They are natural choices when the meal matters as much as the evening atmosphere.
Paddy Reilly’s is a strong fit for sports viewing, with an energetic Irish-pub setting, draft Guinness and classic pub food. Check the venue before travelling if you want to watch a particular fixture or expect a busy crowd.
ELISABURG offers creative cocktails in a distinctive, warmly lit setting, while BarMünster is better suited to an intimate evening with cocktails and small plates. Compare the mood, location and current opening details before choosing.
NORDEN Bar focuses on Nordic beers and a relaxed northern European character. BarMünster offers a cosier cocktail-led option, with non-alcoholic serves and small plates for a slower catch-up.
Some venues suit spontaneous walk-ins, particularly drinks-led bars with a casual format. However, popular food pubs and busy sports evenings can fill up quickly. Contact the venue or reserve ahead if you need a table at a specific time.
