BEST LAKESIDE BARS/CAFÉS IN GENEVA
by Chené Koscielny and Vivian Holding
Nothing better than sipping on your bubbly or cocktail overlooking the lake on a sultry summer’s evening (or afternoon). We share our top 10 lakeside bars or cafés in Geneva, so we’ve done all the research for you – just order your drink and enjoy the view!
À LA POINT – JONCTION
A cool laid-back summer hangout situated where the two rivers merge. The colourful tropically decorated buvette (decorated by artist EAZY ONE) offer great refreshing drinks – from beers, wines, prosecco, juices, coffee to citronnade, as well as a selection of snacks (mixed cheese/charcuterie/bread platters, empanadas, croque-monsieur, hummus, ice creams). Different levelled wooden platforms on the bankside for chilled out sunbathing on their deckchairs and ladders into the river for a refreshing dip to cool off. Great vibes with DJs and live concerts during the summer.
WHERE: 27 Sentier des Saules, 1205 Genève.
FURTHER INFO: www.facebook.com/alapointe.delajonx/
BARJE DES LAVANDIÈRES
From April to September, the Barje installs its trailer on the Promenade des Lavandières and offers drinks, tapas, snacks and free cultural events and mini-concerts by local bands.
A laid-back atmosphere with colourful umbrellas and deck chairs right in the centre of the city.
WHERE: Promenade des Lavandières, Jonction.
FURTHER INFO: www.facebook.com/labarje.ch/ or www.labarje.ch.
BARJE DES SCIENCES
With its deckchairs overlooking the lake, tapas and a music and cultural programme offered all summer long, the Barje des Sciences is the perfect place to enjoy the beauty of the park and stunning lake view.
Set in the Parc de la Perle du Lac, it attracts an international crowd as well as families and tourists, who go there for their various dance and musical evenings.
WHERE: Parc de la Perle du Lac, 1202 Genève.
FURTHER INFO: www.labarje.ch/lieux/sciences or www.facebook.com/labarge.ch
TROPICAL
Palm trees in Geneva?! You’ll find them at this little corner of paradise at the windsurfing and paddle board centre Tropical located next to Genève Plage. With its private resort beach club feel, it’s open to everyone from watersports enthusiasts to suited and booted business people who flock there to enjoy their delicious small dishes, cold drinks and to watch the sun setting over the Jura.
WHERE: 5 quai de Cologny, 1223 Cologny.
FURTHER INFO: www.trop.ch/site/ or www.facebook.com/Tropical/
LES VOILES
From May to September, Genève-Plage transforms into an upmarket Ibiza style afterwork scene at Les Voiles, where you can enjoy breathtaking views of the Jet d’Eau and the Rade from their terrace.
A great drinks and cocktail list, appetizers and tapas prepared in collaboration with the chefs of the École Hôtelière de Genève and with themed nights and live artists it really is the ‘place to be’ this summer! Dress to impress.
WHERE: Genève Plage, quai de Cologny, 1223 Cologny.
FURTHER INFO: www.les-voiles.ch or www.facebook.com/LesVoilesByGenevePlage/
BATEAU GENÈVE
Great views, food, drinks and themed nights with an atmosphere as chilled as the rosé they serve, the Bateau Genève is a great place to savour the last of day’s sun on the top deck of this boat moored just beside the Jardin Anglais and the Jet d’Eau.
WHERE: 1 quai Gustave-Ador, 1207 Genève.
FURTHER INFO: www.bateaugeneve.ch or www.facebook.com/bateaugeneve
BATEAU LAVOIR
Get on board this distinctive little bar moored in the middle of the river Rhône – a 19th century ‘washing boat’, where women would go to scrub their washing. A great place to go for a drink, lunch or an apéro on their rooftop terrace, listening to the water lapping the sides of the boat, whilst enjoying live music events.
WHERE: Promenade des Lavandières, 1204 Genève.
FURTHER INFO: www.bateaulavoir.ch or https://www.facebook.com/bateaulavoir.ch/.
LA BUVETTE DE BAINS
This café-restaurant is part of the Bains des Pâquis – a great place to hang out in the summer for a spot of people-watching and a quick dip in the lake to cool off. Their café offers some of the best priced meals and drinks in the city. Open for breakfast, why not get up early and enjoy the sun rising with a coffee and croissant or alternatively try their delicious lunchtime plat du jour (with a vegetarian option always available), salads or charcuterie. A mixed crowd – from tourists, locals, the employed and unemployed, who go to enjoy the great views of the lake, relaxed atmosphere and regular music and art exhibitions that take place there. Check their website for the return of their popular sunrise concerts in August.
WHERE: 30 quai du Mont-Blanc, 1201 Genève.
FURTHER INFO: https://www.facebook.com/bainsdespaquis/
LA TERRASSE
Surrounded by sailing boats on a hot summer’s day, you’ll feel more like you’re in Cannes than Geneva at this open-air bar located near the entrance to the Bains de Pâquis.
They draw a diverse crowd of bankers, tourists and international organisation employees who go to enjoy a cool beer and to enjoy their burgers, tapas and weekly concerts.
WHERE: 31a Quai Wilson, 1201 Genève.
FURTHER INFO: www.laterrasse.ch or https://www.facebook.com/La-Terrasse-Geneve-107062489325926/
RIVERSIDE CAFÉ
A great location for some serious people watching and to enjoy some of the most delicious, creative and prettiest looking cocktails in town (although their cocktail list can be overwhelming at times!). Food is served all day from breakfast through to dinner. DJ afterworks from 6pm onwards will get you in the mood for their pre-clubbing event from 10pm until 2am, if you last that long!
WHERE: 19 rue du Rhône, 1204 Genève.
FURTHER INFO: http://www.riversidecafe.ch/en/ or https://www.facebook.com/riversidecafe.ch
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