The most popular place to seek out nightlife in Zurich is the Old Town, on the left bank of the River Limmat, with many bars and cafes tucked away on the side streets such as Niederdorfstrasse and Oberdorfstrasse. New bars and clubs keep opening up in the city, especially to the west of the Hauptbahnhof in the fourth and fifth districts, around Langstrasse and Escher-Wyss-Platz. The majority of bars and clubs close around 0200 but some stay open until 0300 or 0400.

Information on club nights and performances (as well as theatres, concerts and opera) is listed in Züri Tipp, published in Friday's Tages Anzeiger.

Zurich has a rich cultural tradition. In addition to high-quality museums and galleries, Zurich has high-calibre chamber and symphony orchestras and one of the most important theatres in the German-speaking world. There is an online guide to concerts, cinema and theatre at.

Tickets for events are available from Jecklin, Rämistrasse 30/42 (tel: (044) 253 7777) and TicketCorner (tel: 0900 800 800).

Opera:

Opernhaus Zurich
The Opernhaus Zurich is the city's main venue for opera and ballet performances. First opened in 1891, its neo-baroque auditorium and location by the lakeside promenade make for a romantic evening. The venue underwent a large-scale redesign in the 1980s (controversially, given the cost that was attached). The small theatre was inaugurated with a performance of a piece by Wagner, who spent time based in the city.

Falkenstrasse 1, 8008 Zurich
Tel: (044) 268 6666.

Music

Tonhalle:
The Zurich Chamber Orchestra or Zürcher Kammerorchester) plays at the Tonhalle from August to June, while the Tonhalle Orchester, founded in 1888, performs symphonic concerts in the same venue. The Tonhalle is renowned for its acoustics and has two halls - the larger seats nearly 1,500 and the smaller over 600. Part of the Kongresshaus Zürich, it was built in 1895 and the concert chamber was inaugurated by Johannes Brahms.

Gotthardstrasse 5, 8002 Zurich
Tel: (044) 206 3430.

Theatre

Schauspielhaus Zürich
The Schauspielhaus Zürich is one of the largest and most important theatres in Switzerland. More than a dozen new productions are staged here each year, by playwrights varying from Shakespeare to Zurich's own Friedrich Dürrenmatt. Built in the late 19th century, the theatre comprises the main auditorium and the more intimate Buhne 5.

Zeltweg 5, 8032 Zurich
Tel: (044) 258 7070.

Schauspielhaus im Schiffbau
Affiliated to the main Schauspielhaus above, the Schauspielhaus im Schiffbau has a reputation for the avant-garde, with its two auditoria showing more alternative and off-beat productions.

Giessereistrasse 5, 8005 Zurich
Tel: (044) 258 7777.

Bars

City nightlife item
Kaufleuten
Prestigious enough to count the likes of Prince, Robbie Williams and Madonna among its past visitors, Kaufleuten is one of the best known bars in Zurich. There are four bars across two separate floors, ranging from the theatrical, chandelier-laden main bar to the more comfy lounge area, arranged with large cushions and wooden furniture. The terrace is a great place to hang out when weather allows.

Pelikanplatz, 8001 Zurich
Tel: (044) 225 3300.

City nightlife item
PurPur
A Moroccan-themed joint that manages to steer well clear of tired North African clichés, Pur Pur combines Asian-Mediterranean cooking with a hip clientele and sumptuously rich decor. It offers a DJ most nights of the week but the mood's relaxed rather than ravey, and with a location close to the city's Opera House, it makes a good spot to round off a night of high culture.

Seefeldstrasse 9, 8008 Zurich
Tel: (044) 419 2066.

City nightlife item
Jules Verne Panorama Bar
The big draw here, if you hadn't guessed, is the view. Located on the 11th floor between the Brasserie Lipp and the Urania Observatory, it affords drinkers some great wraparound vistas of the city. It's a classy nightlife spot too, proven by its lengthy wine and cocktail list. Things can get a little crowded, but there's fun to be had in checking out the various design nods to Jules Verne himself.

Uraniastrasse 9, 8001 Zurich
Tel: (043) 888 6666.

Clubs

City nightlife item
Rohstofflager
Not only a nightclub but also a regular live music venue for the kind of tight-trousered bands that get described as 'achingly cool', Rohstofflager is somewhere so close to the cutting edge it hurts. It's made a name for itself for playing alternative dance music, although on certain nights the music is far removed from the world of techno. The main bar has some great retro lampshades.

Duttweilerstrasse, 8005 Zurich

City nightlife item
Labor Bar
Owned and run by a well known local TV presenter (who broadcasts a talk-show from the club every Sunday), Labor Bar has built its reputation as a place to dance and lounge around without too many snooty judgments from the fashion police. Its weekly 'Butterfly Party' event is one of Zurich's most popular gay nights. It plays a mixture of urban music, throwback pop and other genres.

Schiffbaustrasse 3, 8005 Zurich
Tel: (044) 272 4402.

City nightlife item
Club Indochine
Sitting in the hip western quarter of town, Club Indochine is one of the most glamorous Zurich nightlife spots around. As the name suggests, the style approach draws heavily on south east Asia, and there's an appealing den-like feel to the interior. The upper floor is where most of the action takes place, but you'll want to look your best coming here. Vietnamese food is served.

Limmatstrasse 275, 8005 Zurich
Tel: (044) 448 1111.

Live Music

City nightlife item
Hallenstadion
The most obvious port of call for big international rock acts passing through Zurich (think Sting, Tina Turner, Metallica and the like), the Hallenstadion is a multifunctional sports arena and music venue located in the Oerlikon quarter in northern Zurich. Top-tier events can sell out well in advance, so try to plan ahead if you're looking to take in a big-name concert.

Wallisellenstrasse 45, 8050 Zürich
Tel: (044) 316 78 00.

City nightlife item
Volkshaus
The traditionally designed Volkshaus dates back to 1910, so has considerable experience at putting on the kind of critically acclaimed musical events that it still makes a habit of staging today. There's a big selection of different performance venues under the one roof, ranging from the intimate to the large-scale. Volkshaus draws a mixture of international acts and local musicians - again, tickets can often be hard to come by.

Stauffacherstrasse 60, 8004 Zurich
Tel: (044) 241 6404.

City nightlife item
Moods Jazz Club
Does what it says on the tin. Located in fashionable Zurich-West, Moods is an atmospheric Zurich jazz venue that draws comparison with the likes of Ronnie Scott's in London and Vienna's Porgy & Bess. It stages around 230 shows a year, although tends to take a summer break over July and August. The venue itself is in a cultural centre in an old industrial building. Unmissable for anyone serious about jazz. Schiffbaustrasse 6, 8005 Zurich
Tel: (044) 276 8000.