I am from Geneva, born and raised in the city. I have spent time abroad but most of my life I have lived here. For various reasons, during my thirty seven years of life, I had the opportunity to live in different countries: Scotland, Australia, France, Spain, Chile, Colombia and India.
And YES I have to admit that in some cities you don’t have to look for places to go out. However, in Geneva you need to know the city to have fun AND I am convinced that Geneva is an amazing place with very interesting activities for which I share on this site.
In Geneva the activities, festivals, places to go out are a bit “hidden”, here I share my favorite things to do. But the first thing that you need to know, is that I like alternative places – underground spots, and different places to chill-out, I don’t know much about the fancy places. These tips will correspond more to people who are looking for these kind of places, especially for those on a shoe string budget, to people who are looking to discover new kinds of places or looking for cheap places to go out. Please remember these tips are strictly from my point of view.
I have noticed that many Genevans don’t know certain things about their own city. Some Genevans or even foreigners would say: “Of course we know these places!” and some other Genevans who grew up in Geneva and lived all their lives here, have never even heard of them. Here are my recommendations to enjoy and have fun in Geneva.
Favourite Places to go out
Favourite Places to go out
L’Usine – Place des Volontaires 4 – Jonction
La Gravière – Chemin de la Gravière 9 – Acacias
L’Écurie – Rue de Montbrillant 14 – Grottes
Le Terreau – Rue des Terreaux-du-Temple 6 – Jonction
Fonderie Kugler – Avenue de la Jonction 19 – Jonction
Favourite Bars
La Nativa – Rue Marguerite-Dellenbach 5 – Plainpalais
Les 4 coins – Rue de Carouge 44 – Plainpalais
La Turbine – Rue de la Coulouvrenière 26 – Jonction
L’Ilôt 13 – Rue de Montbrillant 14 – Grottes
La Réplique – Rue du Temple 5 – Jonction
Bars I Like
Bâteau-Lavoir – Promenade des Lavandières – Saint-Gervais
Café Art’s – Rue des Pâquis 17 – Pâquis
La Bretelle – Rue des Etuves 17 – Saint-Gervais
Le Café Gavroche – Boulevard James-Fazy 4 – Cornavin
Le Phare – Rue Lissignol 3 – Saint-Gervais
During Summertime
La Barje des Lavandières – Promenade des Lavandières – Jonction
La buvette du TO – Quai Gustave-Ador 66b – Parc la Grange
À la Pointe – Sentier des Saules 27 – Jonction
Le Tropical Corner – Quai de Coligny 5 – Coligny
La Terrasse – Quai du Mont-Blanc 31 – Pâquis Sécheron
La Chaloupe à vapeur – Rue de Lausanne 128 – Perle du Lac
Festivals
Cine Festivals: Must Sees
FIFDH – International Film Festival and Forum on Human Rights
Black Movie – International Festival of Independent Films
FILMAR en América Latina – Festival of Latin American Films
CinéTransat – Open-Air Cinema
Music Festivals: The Unmissables
Plein les Watts – Raggae Music Festival
Geneva Music Festival – The Annual Genevan Music Celebration
Jazz sur la Plage – Jazz festival in Hermance
If I should pick one…
One Theater: Le Crève-Coeur – Chemin de la Ruth 16 – Cologny
One Café-théâtre: Caustic Comedy Club – Avenue Cardinal Mermillod 6 – Carouge
One Cinema: Spoutnik – Place des Volontaires 4 – Jonction
One Breakfast: Bains des Pâquis – Quai du Mont-Blanc 30 – Pâquis
One Fondue: Le Gruyérien – Bvd de Saint-Georges 65 – Plainpalais
One Sandwich: Il Monte Bianco – Rue Chaponnière 9 – Pâquis