The blonde asked for the bill and turned to me: „so shall we go for another drink? Let's try the Widder bar. It's only a few minutes from here".
I agreed. We crossed the Bahnhofstrasse, entered the Augustinergasse and headed for the Widder hotel with its famous piano bar. We sat centrally at a small table.
"What can you tell me about this place?" I asked her. "Oh, I‘ve been here only three times", she replied while performing the feminine ritual of lighting a cigarette. "As you can see, there is a pianist but sometimes they have concerts. And the whiskies are excellent (but you probably don't care anyway)", she continued. My hands caressed the camera in my bag but I felt I wasn't ready; so I went on with the smalltalk: "seven years ago, when I first came, the lights were bright, it was almost empty, there were only senior citizens", I remarked. "I like it better now, the lights are dimmer, the crowd is more diverse, it has character".
The waiter came: she ordered a Caipirihna (19 CHF), I stuck to the usual: Espresso (6.50 CHF), what else? "Do you really have concerts?" she asked him. "Yes", he said, "on Tuesdays, yesterday we had Flamenco, I bring you the program".
The pianist was singing: "a minha saudade, o meu amor". She asked him for a song. He sang it after his break and she whispered along.
It became more crowded as the evening progressed.
Find your way with 180 Insider Tips from our Local Spotters
Besides the building itself, Toni Areal hosts an abundant amount of events, often linked to the art students. There is an amazing rooftop as well!
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At Villa Tobler Park you will find benches to relax among well-trimmed bushes, beautiful statues, and a fountain featuring a golden mosaic and a dragon.
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Zurichberg might be less touristy than Uetliberg but is still popular among locals. Picnics, couples, and runners can be expected, especially on Sundays!
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Chemiserie+ is a cool small thrift store with reasonable prices and an assortment of good quality clothes for a wide range of tastes. Let slow fashion be!
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Irchel Park, a world made of natural meadows, hills, and small lakes, is first and foremost part of the scientific campus of the University of Zurich.
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In the outdoor space, small tables are hidden under lush vegetation, and in the summer you can also grab figs from the fig tree without leaving your seat.
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Vita volta is a neighbourhood organic shop where you will find fresh products including bread, vegetables, and fruits which are local most of the time.
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"Sauna Utoquai" Zurich is an oasis in the city at the southern end of the public baths called Bad Utoquai (known as the "Badi" among its regulars)...
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Seefeld, to which The Opera House serves as a gatekeeper, will please urban souls with a mix of neoclassical and functionalism aesthetics, oak-shadowed streets, and an excess showcase of small local boutiques.
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The view opens up from a terrace, which overlooks a tiny vineyard, the lake, and the city. In addition to this, you can explore the entire silhouette of Zürich’s very own mountain - Uetliberg.
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What brings the shopping experience to a truly next level, is the mini-restaurants scattered throughout the store. You will find a tea room, premium sushi, a grill at the butchers, and gourmet pasta.
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180 Insider Tips from our local Spotters
Authentic Stories by Real People
Escape the Crowd & Travel Slow 🐌
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