Fun and entertainment Geneva

Timetable

Clubs generally open from 11.30pm and close between 4am and 5am at weekends. Summer terraces will close at midnight from Sunday to Thursday to combat noise pollution, according to a law passed by the Geneva authorities. They close at 2am at weekends.

Show start times in Geneva vary, between 7:30 and 8:30 pm.

Budget & Tips

The cost of living in Geneva is high. For this reason, many Swiss people come to live in France while working in Switzerland - as do the majority of cross-border commuters - and do their food shopping there.

Geneva is, however, an extremely dynamic city in terms of its cultural offering, with many free cultural events. In summer, in particular, free concerts are held in public parks such as the Parc Lagrange or on the lakeshore. These are concerts of excellent quality and great variety, ranging from world music to jazz, blues, rock and classical, or the exceptional "Aubes" summer concert, free of charge at the Bains des Pâquis.

The beaches are free. A lunch or dinner at the Bains des Pâquis offers a meal at an unbeatable price. In summer, access to the beach costs CHF 2.

Visit www.genevepascher.com/animations/ to find out about low-cost cultural events in Geneva.

To be booked

It is always recommended to make a reservation for dinner at a good restaurant, especially on weekends, as well as for a good show.

Night transport

The TPG Noctambus lines provide transportation during the night on Fridays and Saturdays. Visit www.unireso.com and noctambus.ch.

Age restrictions

The legal drinking age in Switzerland is 18.

What's very local

Going out for a drink after a day's work is very local. Afterworks are popular with Genevans. In the summer, the ephemeral terraces by the lake and in the gardens are taken by storm. Very convivial, it is during these good moments of break that you will sympathize locally.

Smokers

Smoking areas are often provided outside the establishments.

Tourist traps

Choose to book directly rather than through reseller sites.