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Swiss Culture: Gay and Lesbian Switzerland

An overview | Gay rights in Switzerland | Switzerland for the Gay Visitor

An overview

More comes out in Switzerland than cuckoos out of clocks. More things melt in your mouth than bars of chocolate. And those tightly-laced Heidi bodices aren't just for the girls. And yodelling. Who invented that? And mountain horns. For all Switzerland's cautious and starchy reputation, anyone expecting caution and starch from gay Switzerland is in for a surprise.

Gay rights in Switzerland

In 1992, legal discrimination against gays and lesbians in Switzerland was abolished thanks to the 73% who voted that way in a national referendum on the issue. Only one of the 26 cantons voted against it. As part of this, the age of consent for homosexuals was lowered from 20 to 16, i.e. the same as for heterosexuals. Homosexual activity in the army was also decriminalized. (Every male between 20 and 50 is a member of the armed forces in Switzerland.) Soft pornography of any kind remained illegal, but the laws against soft porn (i.e. nudity and depictions of consensual adult sex) are not strictly enforced. Registered partnership of gay couples became law on January 1, 2007.

Switzerland for the Gay Visitor

Switzerland, with a population of only 7.5 million, its cities are quite small. The only city with something approaching an international cosmopolitan scene is Zurich. Below we will list the main gay and lesbian hang outs and attractions of Switzerland's three largest cities: Zurich, Bern, and Lucerne.

Gay Zurich

Zurich is Switzerland's most populous city, with just over a million people in the greater Zurich area (370,000 in the city itself). It is the scene every summer of the massive Zurich Street Parade: one of the world's biggest annual outpourings of gay pride and exuberance. Although it is the country's biggest city, a center of international banking, and a cultural treasure trove, it nevertheless preserves an atmosphere that is free of typical big city brashness and anonymity. The gay scene here is easy navigable, and fun. Below is a list of some of the better known gay establishments.

Not only does Zurich cater directly to the gay man and woman with its plethora of gay, lesbian, and gay- and lesbian-friendly facilities, it is the ideal playground for culture vultures with its full and variegated and multi-lingual schedule of concerts, operas and musicals, its more than 100 art galleries, and its more than 50 museums. Zurich is awash with good restaurants, cafes and bars, and whatever you're doing, wherever you're at, the magnificent alps are always there in the background, framing the city.

Zurich Gay Hotels

-Hotel Goldenes Schwert, Marktgasse 14, 8001 Zurich.
As well as being gay, the Hotel Goldenes Schwert is one of the most conveniently located hotels for gay guys visiting Zurich. Part of the G-Colors complex, it is located right in the middle of Aldstadt, easy walking distance to all the gay bars, as well as to a fitness center. Each of the 19 rooms is individually decorated in a variety of styles from “Heavenly” to “Swiss” to “Bronx,” and is fully equipped with a mini-bar, telephone, cable TV and wi-fi internet connection. Breakfast room service. Price per night starts at around 90 Euros for a single room.

-Leoneck Hotel, Leonhardstrasse 1, 8001 Zurich.
While not a gay hotel, the Leoneck is very gay friendly, and conveniently located in Aldstadt. Has 78 rooms (48 of them with a balcony) as well as special non-smoking rooms, all with “Swiss ethnic-style interior” and wireless LAN. The renowned “Crazy Cow” restaurant is part of the hotel, and offers a “rich breakfast buffet.” Prices start at 120 Euros.

Zurich Gay Bars

Most of Zurich's gay and gay-friendly cafes and bars are in Altstadt (Old Town) in the vicinity of the Grossmunster cathedral.
- Cafe Bar Odeon, Limmatquai 2, 8001 Zurich. Mon-Thu 7am-2am. Fri-Sat 7am-4am. Sun 9am-2am
This is grandiose marble-and-chandelier cafe life in classic central European style. Daily meal menu priced around 20 Euros. Seating both inside and out. Gay crowd mainly in the evening. A must-visit for the gay tourist.

-Pigale Bar, Markgasse 14, 8001 Zurich.
A gay trad “Schlagerbar”, i.e. featuring schlager, the folksy sentimental ballads of mainly the Nordic countries and Germany.

-Cranberry Bar, Metzgergasse 3, 8001 Zurich.
A popular hole in the wall for the young sophisticated set. Huge selection of cocktails, friendly multilingual staff, a smokers' (including cigar smokers') lounge on the first floor, and a big patio overlooking the river.

-Rathaus Café, Limmatquai 61, 8001 Zurich. Mon-Fri 7am - midnite. Sat 9 am - midnite. Sun 10am - 7pm.
This cafe on the banks of the Limmat River, the extensive outdoor seating makes this an ideal spot to relax and take in the passing action. With its long hours, the Rathaus offers food, drink and relaxation at almost any time of the day.

-Tip Top Bar, Seilergraben 13, 8001 Zurich.
A bar for Asians and their friends, complete with karaoke.

-Barfusser Bar, Spitalgasse 14, 8001 Zurich. Daily from 11am.
Barfusser Bar is where what was apparently the first ever gay bar in Switzerland, “The Foot”, was located, which opened in 1956. In its new incarnation it is now a trendy joint that includes a sushi restaurant. Has DJ nights.

-Lobby Bar, Spitalgasse 3, 8001 Zurich.
A comfortable, chilled bistro bar that retains some old world charm. Not necessarily a gay crowd, but very gay friendly. Seating inside and outside on the plaza under the trees.

-Dynasty Club, Zahringerstrasse 11, 8001 Zurich. Daily 5pm to 2am.
A gay bar famous for its cocktails and stimulating decor: camp kitsch upstairs and cool yellow-themed downstairs. DJ spinning, albeit without much room for dancing.

-Caroussel Bar, Zahringerstrasse 33, 8001 Zurich.
Rent boy bar.

Zurich Gay Clubs

-T&M, Marktgasse 14, 8001 Zurich. Tue-Sat from 9pm.
T&M is probably the most easily accessible of Zurich's gay clubs. An all encompassing party scene featuring pop and disco hits and a 10pm strip show. Attitude-free, quirk-free fun, fun, fun for all!

-Rage-Club & Sector C, Wagistrasse 13, Industrie Allmend 8952, Zurich-Schlieren. Wed - Thu 9pm - 2am, Fri 10pm - 4am, Sat 10pm - 5am, Sun 5pm - 2am.
Fetish and sex club. Rage is for the butch leather/jeans/uniform crowd. Its three floors include a dungeon and maze, two bars, and on Fridays and Saturdays, on the top floor, a fetish club called Sector C with a dancefloor (mainly trance). Sector C has a strict dresscode depending on the event.

-Lotus Club and Lounge, Pfingstweidstrasse 70, 8005 Zürich. Fri-Sat from 11pm.
In May 2007, Lotus replaced the Labyrinth Club. Like the Labyrinth, however, it still parties hard, with great DJs playing everything from progressive to Goa.

-Loop 38, Albulastrasse 38, 8048 Zurich. Near Bahnhof Altstetten. Fri 11pm to Sat noon. Sat 11pm to Sun 2pm.
Loop 38 is for those who like their music harder and darker: techno, tech house and freaky house.

-Labitzke, Albulastrasse 38, 8048 Zurich.
An industrial-style club appropriately located in an old factory. Bar, lounge, and two dancefloors. Progressive, minimal, electro music policy, but different nights host quite different parties.
Regular first-Saturday-of-the-month Shaft party (progressive, progressive trance), gay men only.

-Labor Bar, Schiffbaustrasse 3, 8005 Zurich. Fri from 10pm, Sat from 11pm, Sun (gay nite) 8pm-2am.
In spite of its name there is nothing terribly butch about Labor Bar. This is a bar cum dance club with a regular “Sunday Trash” gay night hosted by drag queen Tara la Trash. A mix of happy camp 80s and 90s oldies and current hits.
Once-a-month “Pop Lady Bum” night for lesbians.

Other Gay Zurich Spots

-Badi Letten, Wasserwerkstrasse, 8005 Zurich
Badi Letten is a public bathing spot in the Limmat River right behind the main railway station and the Landesmuseum. Includes a bar, music and a volleyball patch. Popular in summer.

Gay Geneva

Although Geneva is Switzerland's second biggest city, its population is only about 180,000. It is located at the south-western tip of Switzerland, right on the border with France. It is the urban center of Switzerland's francophone Romandie area, which, far west and surrounded by France, makes up about a quarter of the country.

Geneva Gay Bars

-Dialogai.
The first stop when you're in Geneva has to be Dialogai. Basically it is a gay/lesbian/transgender library/resource centers serving the whole Romandie area since 1982. This is where to pick up fliers for whatever parties may be happening. However, it hosts its own parties, too.

-Dialogai hosts a mass Wednesday night dinner that sits 80, between 7pm and 10pm. Be there early if you want to take part.

-Genfshaft is the jeans/leather night hosted at Dialogai every other Friday, 11pm-5am.

-Chez Rosy Cafe cum Sunset Bar.
There is a cafe next door that from Sunday to Thursday, 9am-5pm, is the Chez Rosy tearoom. From Wednesday to Sunday, 5pm-10pm, it is the Sunset bar.

Gay Geneva - Other

-The Gay International Group (Tel: +41(0)22 786 33 00) is an organization based in Geneva, Switzerland that offers an informal meeting space for gay men, expatriates, internationals or tourists in Geneva and the region.

-Les Bains de L'Est (sauna), 3 Rue de L'Est, CH-1207 Geneva. Tel: +41(0)22 786 33 00. Mon-Thu noon-1am. Fri-Sat noon-6am. Sun 2pm-1am.

Gay Bern

In spite of being the Swiss capital, Bern retains more the air of a rural village than a national political center. This small city of about 130,000 people covers a tongue of land around which curves the River Aare. Bern is a gem of tranquil, Swiss civility in liberally wooded surroundings. Once regarded as the floral city of Europe, Bern is now a UNESCO Heritage Site - indication alone of its sightseeing value.

Probably because it is already so compact, Bern has no gay quarter as such. The few, but lively, gay and gay friendly establishments that it has are scattered throughout.

Bern Gay (Friendly) Hotels

-Hotel Belle Epoque, Gerechtigkeitsgasse 18, Bern. Tel. +41 31 311 43 36.
“Where lovers of art stay”. A small, elaborately decorated hotel in the historical quarter of Bern. “An exceptional atmosphere amidst works of art from the Art Nouveau/Belle Epoque periods.” In other words, camp as!
Prices start from 195 Euros for a single room on off days, to 340 Euros for a double room at peak times.

-Bern Youth Hostel, Weihergasse 4, Bern. Tel: +41 31311 63 16.
Set in very picturesque surroundings by the River Aare, this hostel offers budget accommodation ranging from 49 Euros for a private double room to 33.50 Euros for a shared room. Car parking, cycle storage, laundry facilities, internet, wheelchair access and much more.

Bern Gay Bars

-Samurai, Arbergergasse 35, 3011 Bern. Tue-Thu 8pm-2.30am, Fri & Sat 8pm-3.30am.
Probably Bern's most famous gay/lesbian bar/disco. Super floral interior!

Bern Gay Club Nights

-House of Tolerdance (H.O.T.) at Konzertlokal-Bar ISC, Neubrückstrasse 10, 3012 Bern. 4th Saturday of the month.
House of Tolerdance is a party held on the fourth Saturday of the month at the Konzertlokal-Bar ISC (Internationaler Studentenclub). A fun, raucous gay/mixed night out overflowing with community spirit. This event is a fixture of gay life in Bern, having been going since 1992.

-Bubennacht (Boys' Night) at Du Theatre, Hotelgasse 10, 3011 Bern.
Bubennacht is a semi-regular gay party held at the Du Theatre venue.

-Comeback Bar, Rathausgasse 42, 3011 Bern. Tue-Thu 6pm-2am, Fri & Sat 6pm-3.30am, Sun & Mon 6pm-half past midnite.
Comeback Bar is a bar for both gay men and women. It features a gay and lesbian disco night every Saturday.

-Frauendisco, at the Frauenraum der Reithalle, Neubrückstrasse 8, 3011 Bern.
A women-only dance night that happens on the first Friday of the month.

-Welle, at Gaskessel, Sandrainstrasse. 25, Bern
Another women-only night on the third Friday of the month.