Gay places in zurich

Switzerland’s best LGBT clubs

Find the foremost gay and sapphic nights out – with the ultimate guide to Switzerland’s LGBT nightlife scene

The LGBT party scene in Switzerland proposals something for everyone, from relaxed, mixed-queer shindigs to sweaty danceathons. For all their alpenhorn-apotheosizing and minaret-marginalising traditionalism, the Swiss have for many decades taken a world-leading stance on gay and lesbian rights. Gay relations were decriminalised here in 1942, and on Recent Year’s Day 2007 a referendum made Switzerland the first country on Land where gay civil unions were voted in by the public, not just parliament – and by a huge majority.

Today Zurich, which happens to possess a chic woman loving woman mayor in Corine Mauch, is very much Switzerland’s LGBT capital, as successfully as one of the world’s most gay-friendly cities, with bars, cafes, saunas and clubs adding up to dozens of gay venues. The old town’s Barfüsser is considered Europe’s oldest queer hostelry and the annual Zurich Celebration event now draws around 45,000 pink party people.

Bern, Geneva and Basel all have bijou scenes, in particular the restaura

Nightlife & Party

Zurich's nightlife offers the Homosexual community a broad and varied bouquet of clubs and parties. Various party labels in modifying locations guarantee a lively ambiance – particularly popular are the events staged by the largest gay party organizer Angels. They comprise the "Kitsch Party", featuring bizarre decorations, and the "White Party", where guests are required to wear white.

Festivals & Culture

Since 2009, Zurich organizes the Zurich Pride Festival every year. The three-day program features an opening and closing party, bars and food stands at the festival site, a series of concerts and shows, various parties, conferences on specific themes, and a march through the inner city. Up to 30,000 people seize part in the festival every year. Since the year 2000 the "Warmer Mai" (Warm May), a cultural month, is held annually, focusing on lgbtq+ themes in the fields of art and culture. Kicking off the event is the Pink Apple Film Festival, featuring movie screenings, podium discussions, concerts and much more besides.

Gay Zurich City Guide

Zürich

Zurich is the largest city in Switzerland, the number one European city for quality of living and consistently ranking in the uppermost three cities in the world for the identical. It is also the wealthiest city in Europe.

Its stunning location at the bring down northern end of Lake Zurich (Zürichsee) offers an immediate backdrop of beautiful wooded hills and is framed by the dramatic beauty of the snow-capped Alps, just 30 kilometres to the south.

Zurich's other highlights involve the river Limmat which flows from the lake through the city centre. Its natural surroundings, preserved historic buildings and productive transportation system make for a great year-round holiday destination.

Zurich has also a very tolerant attitude and welcomes everyone from diverse communities. There is a well-established gay scene and the city is regarded as the dance party capital of central Europe.

Gay Rights in Switzerland

Switzerland has excellent human rights records and there is a high tolerance of the LGBT community. Zurich and Geneva have vibrant and well-developed gay and woman loving woman cultures, together with smaller scenes in the other main cities of Basel, Bern, Lu

Zurich Gay Travel Guide 2025

Upcoming Events in Zurich

Accommodation Tip

Hotel Alexander

Hotel. ***, from 150 CHF

Reviews, Photos & Reservation

Located between central station and Old Town of Zurich, very close to some of the gay bars and clubs. Contemporary facilities.

@ Niederdorfstrasse 40
Zurich 8001

Tram: Rudolf-Brun-Brücke

About Zurich

Zurich is the largest municipality in Switzerland (with a population of 1.2 million including the suburbs) and the economic, social and cultural center of the country. As the wealthiest municipality in Europe and with its privileged location along the Limmat river and at the idyllic Lake Zurich with view of the snow-covered mountains, Zurich belongs to the cities with the highest quality of life in the world (but also with the highest cost of living).

Zurich already was raised to the level of a city in the Early Middle Ages, in 1262 it became a free imperial city and in 1351 a member of the Swiss Confederation. The economic soar began with the textile industry in the 18th and 19th century. After the mid-19th century the financial and services sector became increasingly important through the founding of numerous ba