Most of the nightlife venues suit a cross section of the society of Geneva. Gentlemen with curled white moustaches and smart suits enjoy the same bars as the young professionals and students. Also all generations enjoy soaking up the evening sun during the long summer nights. The only drawback in this apparently conflict free society is that it does lack an edge – it is hard to be truly wild in Geneva.
Numerous 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 differ; some bars open daily from mid-morning, others open early evening and close at 0600. Beers cost approximately around SFr3-5 or more for imported bottled beers, while spirits are generally double in price. The minimum age for purchasing alcohol is 18 years and dress code is usually smart.
Weekly guides that are available from the tourist office, are Geneva
Agenda and What's On in Geneva. Online
information is available as well.
Bars
The Old Town is an excellent starting point for a night out. La Clémence, Place du Bourg-de-Four 20, is very popular, particularly in the summer when crowds of all ages enjoy the large terrace.
The bar-restaurant at the gilded Bohème, Boulevard Helvétique 36, is a good place to move on to – the mix of Arab and techno music is popular and the atmosphere is rather relaxed, although trainers are not allowed.
The most alternative bars in the city can be spotted around Place des Volontaires, including L’Interdit disco, on the nearby Quai du Seujet 18.
Le Deuxième Bureau, Rue du Stand, near the vast performance space of l’Usine, is huge, very trendy and serves excellent cocktails – as does Le Cactus Club, Rue Chaponnière, off Rue de Mont-Blanc, near Cornavin train station.
Casino
The Casino de Genève, Quai du Mont-Blanc 19, is located under the prestigious Noga Hilton Hotel and is very well equipped with over 100 slot machines.
Opening hours are 1200-0400 daily and smart dress is appropriate.
The minimum age is 18 years and a passport or an ID is required for admission.
Clubs
Geneva is not particularly known for its clubs and many prefer to go to Lausanne. However, the intimate Club 58, Rue des Glacis de Rive 15, has a restaurant, bar, dance floor and chic clientele. At the other extreme is Arthur’s Club, the biggest discotheque in Switzerland, with a capacity of 3000. Situated at Route du Pré-Bois 20, close to the airport, this club attracts a cosmopolitan crowd and plays anything from funk to house, groove to mambo on its three dance floors. Arthur’s is open on Fridays and Saturdays only (Saturday entrance is SFr25 and includes a complimentary drink). Smart dress is required – jeans and trainers are not permitted.
Music
Pinchas Steinberg succeeded Fabio Luisi as the artistic director of the Orchestre de la Suisse Romande in the year 2001. Most of the productions are performed in the Grand Théâtre, Boulevard du Théâtre 11 (tel: (022) 418 3130). The orchestral season runs from September to June and the collection ranges from classical to contemporary.
The prestigious Victoria Hall, Rue du Général-Dufour 14 (tel: (022) 328 8121), welcomes local groups, such as Geneva Chamber Music, as well as performers and international orchestras. The building was financed by British Consul General, Daniel Firzerlad Barton, and named after both the British monarch and his own wife Victoria Alexandra. It was originally built for the consul’s orchestra, L’Harmonie Nautique, which played during the boating season, from 1891-1893, and was given to the city in 1904.
The climax of the musical year is the International Competition for Musical Performers, a contest for the young international musicians. Several important concerts are given by students at the Conservatoire de Musique, Rue Petitot 8 (tel: (022) 319 6060). There are about 8 major opera productions per year, performed largely at the Grand Théâtre but also at the Salle Théodore Turrettini, Place des Volontaires 2, in the Bâtiment des Forces Motrices, a former factory on the banks of the River Rhône.
Live Music
The ‘in’ bar, disco and restaurant, Le Baroque Café, Place de la Fusterie 12, draws an international clientele of all ages. Live bands play jazz on Mondays, Tuesdays and Wednesdays, while for the rest of the week, DJs are featured.
At La Maison Blanche, Confédération
Centre 8, DJ alternates with live piano music to create a mellow
atmosphere. L’Usine, Place des Volontaires
4, has a large dancefloor, bar, cinema and regular live performances.
Despite its alternative reputation, the occasional middle aged mother
will still accompany her daughter to live concerts. Au Chat
Noir, Rue Vautier 13, is the more dignified live music
venue. French singers and jazz musicians perform early on, until
the DJs takes over, playing salsa on Friday and Saturday and funk
on Tuesday. Rhythm and Blues is featured at Griffin’s,
Boulevarde Helvétique 36, on week nights and at Temi’s
Bar-Disco, Rue Winkelried 4. Salsa is favoured at L’Abag,
Rue des Vieux-Grenadiers 10, in the courtyard of MAMCO, while La
Pirogue, Ruelle des Templiers 4, features African sounds
and reggae.
Theatre
Geneva has some 40 theatres, whose collection range from classical to avant-garde. While plays are normally in French, there are many popular English language amateur groups. The most important venue is the Comédie de Genève, Boulevard des Philosophes 6 (tel: (022) 320 5001), which has a classical and contemporary repertoire. The Théâtre Le Poche-Genève, Rue du Cheval-Blanc 7 (tel: (022) 310 3759), founded in 1978, specialises in modern drama.
Dance
Giorgio Mancini is responsible for the artistic direction of the Ballet du Grand Théâtre, with a mixed collection that ranges from neo-classical to contemporary. In addition to the main ballet season, which is from September to June, the company organises a number of thematic evenings at the Grand Théâtre, Boulevard du Théâtre 11 (tel: (022) 418 3130), and in local theatres, such as the Théâtre du Loup, Chemin de la Gravière 10. The 46 strong choir of the Grand Théâtre, regularly participates in the ballet and opera seasons.
Film
Geneva is the cinema capital of the French-speaking Switzerland. Homegrown stars include Jean-Luc Bideau, whose career was launched by Swiss director Alain Tanner in La Salamandre.
The most well known, among more than 30 cinemas, are the large 7 Rialto Metrocine complex, Place de Cornavin 27 (tel: (0900) 900 156), and the Central, Rue de Chantepoulet 23 (tel: (022) 908 0430, for information in English).
There are also numerous arthouse cinemas, including Scala, Rue des Eaux-Vives 23 (tel: (022) 736 0422). Many English language films are shown in their original version and French language versions often have English subtitles.
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