ROOFTOP DANCING AND DRINKING
by Alexandra Belz and Chené Koscielny
Rise above the heat and the hoi polloi below and escape to a rooftop bar where you can slow down, observe the world from up above and chill with a glass of something cold in hand. Here are some of the best ones in town.
MET ROOFTOP BAR
This swanky lounge bar is right in the middle of the city centre, on the left bank and on top of the beautiful, yet understated Metropole Hotel. From May until September, 7 days a week, from 5pm onwards, you can enjoy what we think is one of the best rooftops in Geneva. From this perch, you can see without being seen. The view of the Jet d’Eau and the lake is unbeatable. It is the perfect spot for a late afternoon or early evening drink.
This is the perfect spot for impressing a classy date – but you’ll have to be feeling generous. The décor is stylish and plush and the crowd has that Geneva money-ed look.
The cocktail menu is impressive (albeit not cheap) and our weakness is the Aperol Spritz – with champagne – for CHF26.
The snack menu includes hummus and pita, shrimp accras, mini cheeseburgers and salmon wraps and if you’re two, you can share some great sounding platters. Don’t miss black & white movie-night and speakeasy atmosphere on Thursdays.
WHERE
Quai du Général-Guisan 34, Hotel Métropole
WHEN
Tuesday to Saturday from 5pm until 1 am except Sunday and Monday until 12am.
ROOFTOP 42
Situated on the eighth floor of a corporate building on Geneva’s posh Rue du Rhône (you take the lift op from the lobby in town, this is another good rooftop with a beautiful view overlooking the lake and the city. At night, it transforms into a club and you can dance to your heart’s content to trendy DJ beats. The atmosphere is young, fun and cool, although the look is a bit dated.
Cocktails, sushi, tapas and light snacks are on offer.
WHERE
Rue du Rhône 42
1204 Geneva
WHEN
Tuesday 10 am until 1am, Wednesday – Thursday until 2am and Friday and Saturday until 2:30 am
Sunday and Monday closed
Photo credit: @Genevatourisme
CAFÉ VOISINS 105
This quirky urban rooftop is a bit of a trek, but it is fairly easily accessible via tram. There are also parking spaces nearby, which are free at night. The atmosphere here is very different from the city centre, there is no lake view and the view is maybe not as romantic or breathtaking, but you get to see the Jura, the stade and the Saleeve. The feeling here is modern, urban and post-industrial Brooklyn. Chilled and great for dancing.
Food options include BBQ grilled on the rooftop by Morocco’s 2018 Master Chef – no less!
This is quite a unique nightlife experience in Geneva. They have regular evening events.
Definitely one to try.
WHERE
Route des Jeunes 105A
1227 Geneva
WHEN
Mondays 08:30-16:30
Tuesday and Wednesdays 08:30- 12:00
Thursdays 08:30- 13:00
Fridays 08:30 – 15:00
Saturdays 17:00- 03:00
FLOOR TWO BAR – Hotel Kempinski
The outside terrace /rooftop bar of the Bar in the Kempinski has a bit more of a hotel lounge feel, but the views over lake Geneva and the Jet d’Eau are spectacular. They offer a great selection of cocktails and light snacks. Dress is smart casual.
It’s popular for dancing and not the best place if you want to catch up for a chat as the music can be on the loud side.
WHERE
Quai de Mont-Blanc 19
1201 Geneva
WHEN
Mondays- Sundays 17:00- 01:00
.
NOSENS – new kid on the block
The latest rooftop venue in Geneva is – Nosens – which opened in May 2019.
The new venue – 2 minutes from Rive – will be open Wednesdays, Thursdays and Sundays and will offer music.
We haven’t had a chance to check this one out – but we are excited by the collaboration with Ou Bien Encore – one of our favourite healthy and vegetarian restaurants in Geneva.
WHERE
12 Rue Ami-Lullin au 5eme étage
