The majority of nightlife venues suit a cross-section of Geneva's society. Gentlemen with curled white moustaches and wearing smart suits enjoy the same bars as the young professionals and students. And all generations enjoy soaking up the evening sun during the long, summer nights. The only disadvantage in this apparently conflict-free society is that it does lack edge - it is hard to be truly wild in Geneva. Many restaurants double up as bars later in the evening and clubs also often have a restaurant area. Clubs and bars centre on a number of English-style pubs on either side of the river, especially in the suburb of Carouge (a 20-minute ride on tram 12, across the River Arve).
Opening hours vary, some bars open daily from mid-morning, others open early evening and close at 0600. Beers cost around SFr3-5 or more for imported bottled beers, while spirits are generally double that price. The minimum age for purchasing alcohol is 18 years and dress is generally smart.
Bars
Le Baroque
12 pl. de la Fusterie, tel: 022/3110515
attracts hip young bankers (armed with cell phones) with its opulent decor and plentiful bar.
Beau-Rivage
13 quai du Mont-Blanc, tel: 022/7166666
a luxurious hotel piano bar, is an atmospheric spot for a cocktail.
La Clemence
20 pl. du Bourg-de-Four, tel: 022/3122498
overflows with students.
Flanagan’s
4 rue du Cheval-Blanc, tel: 022/3101314
attracts an English-speaking crowd that parties until closing time, usually around 5 AM.
Mr. Pickwick's Pub
80 rue de Lausanne, tel: 022/7316797
serves fish-and-chips, shows English football, and generally cures the homesickness of British expats.
Mulligan’s
14 rue Grenus, tel: 022/7328576
It is a place where you'll find Guinness on tap, Kilkenny beer, and lots of Irish accents.
Roi Ubi
30 Grand-Rue, tel: 022/3107398
this club draws young people to the Old Town like a magnet.
Dance Clubs
Arthur’s
20 rte. de Pre-Bois, tel: 022/7917700
spins house music and packs 1,500 people every night onto multilevel dance floors.
L'Interdit
18 quai du Seujet, tel: 022/7389091
alternates high-voltage techno with flamboyant disco classics.
Macumba
403 rte. d'Annecy, St. Julien-en-Genevois, tel: 0033/450492350
just across the French border to the south, throbs with '80s music, salsa, current hits, and classic rock spread over several dance floors.
Le Petit Palace
6 rue de la Tour-de-Boël, tel: 022/3110 033
fills up on weekends with techno music and energetic young people.
Shakers
3 rue de la Boulangerie, tel: 022/3105598
An Old Town cubbyhole with stone walls and cheap drinks, the DJ will play anything but techno.
Music Clubs
Amr-Sud des Alpes
10 rue des Alpes, tel: 022/7165630
Attracts a hip young crowd into musical improvisation and contemporary jazz.
Aux Halles de L’ile
1 pl. de l'Ile, tel: 022/3115221
A mid-river restaurant, presents classic New Orleans jazz every Friday and Saturday night.
The Chat Noir
13 rue Vautier, Carouge, tel: 022/3434998
Hosts acts ranging from Brazilian ethnojazz to blues to Celtic techno.
Griffin’s Club
36 blvd. Helvetique, tel: 022/7351218
Hosts live rhythm and blues on weeknights and draws a black-tie crowd studded with famous names.
L'Usine
4 pl. des Volontaires, tel: 022/7813490
A much-loved former factory by the river, favors funk, hard rock, punk, grunge, and live bands.
