Best Bars near Friends Corner

Nestled in the heart of Zürich, The International Beer Bar offers an exceptional selection of local and international brews, making it a must-visit for beer lovers. With its vibrant atmosphere and cozy beer garden, it's the perfect spot to unwind and enjoy a drink or two.

XYLO Cocktailbar is a compact, urban drinking spot in Zürich's Kreis 5, set among the bars and late-night traffic of Neugasse. It is built for cocktails rather than long dinners, with a menu that leans into mezcal, natural wine, classics, and non-alcoholic options. Expect an indoor, bar-focused visit that works best from early evening onward.

Mata Hari is a compact tiki cocktail bar on Langstrasse, one of Zürich’s busiest nightlife strips. It is an evening-only stop for tropical drinks, music and socialising rather than a sightseeing venue. Expect a lively indoor room, a casual crowd and a short, drink-led visit that usually begins after dinner and can stretch into late night.

Kasheme is a compact cocktail bar and music venue in Zürich-West, where the evening is shaped by records, DJ sets, and an intimate lounge atmosphere. Upstairs feels like a listening room with drinks; downstairs can turn into a small club or performance space. It suits music fans, couples, and solo visitors more than casual daytime drop-ins.

Gasthaus 210 is a straightforward urban hotel on Langstrasse in Zürich’s 8005 district, best used as a base rather than a destination. Its appeal is location: close to the main station, city centre, trams, shops, and the late-night energy of one of Zürich’s busiest corridors. Expect a functional stay in a dense, mixed-use neighbourhood.

Diwan Shisha Lounge is an indoor hookah bar on Zürich's Langstrasse, set in a dense nightlife strip rather than a sightseeing district. Expect a seated, social visit built around shisha, drinks and long conversations, with the pace easing into the late evening. It suits adults more than families, and works best as a relaxed stop after dinner or before a night out.

Heldenbar is a compact queer bar and occasional club night in central Zürich, known for its weekly Wednesday format, free entry, and community-first atmosphere. Expect late arrivals, DJ sets, dancing, and the occasional drag show rather than a casual drop-in bar. It sits in the Provitreff building at Sihlquai 240, a short walk from the city centre.

Eldorado is a compact craft beer bar in Zürich’s Kreis 5, known for a long beer list and an easygoing, evening-first atmosphere. Since 2012, it has drawn beer drinkers who want choice rather than spectacle: bottles and taps from around the world, a conversational room, and a central location on Limmatstrasse. It suits unhurried drinks, not sightseeing.

GLEIS is a contemporary bar and cultural venue in Zürich’s Zollhaus complex, a short trip from the main station. It works as both a drinks stop and an event space, with readings, concerts, talks, and workshops shaping the mood. Expect an indoor, urban setting, a social crowd, and a flexible visit that can last from one drink to an entire evening.

SOZHIETY is a late-evening bar and cannabis lounge on Neufrankengasse in Zürich’s 8004 district, mixing drinks, lounge seating and headshop retail. It feels urban and low-key rather than flashy, with an indoor layout geared to socialising, browsing accessories and settling in for a few hours. Expect a grown-up crowd, a compact room, and a distinctly local nightlife rhythm.