The Niederdorf is the part of the Old Town that never really goes to bed: narrow car-free lanes, small bars with a few tables outside, old pubs in guild houses and students and visitors mixing late into the evening. A pub crawl is a simple way to find your way around it, and this one lasts about three and a half hours, runs through several bars of the district and finishes with entry to a nightclub. Free shots are among the perks, and the group format makes it a good way to meet other travellers, particularly for solo visitors who do not want to walk into a bar alone. Rated 5.0 from more than twenty reviews, it is a small but well-liked product. The price is low by Zurich standards, although drinks at each stop are normally bought by you, so budget for them, and Switzerland is not a cheap place to drink. The exact meeting point, the list of bars and the nightclub vary with the day and are confirmed when you book. It suits adults in their twenties and thirties, friends on a weekend away and solo travellers who want an introduction to the nightlife, and it is not intended for children. Plan the rest of your evening around it, because the night will go late.
What to expect
A guided group walk between bars in the Niederdorf, with stops chosen to give you a mix of atmospheres, from small pubs to livelier spots. The tour ends with entry to a nightclub. The perks include free shots. The route and the venues can change from one date to the next, so check when you book and arrive on time, because the group moves on from the first bar to the next at a set time.
Practical details
The tour is for adults and the legal drinking age applies, so carry photo identification, and a passport or ID card is also what the nightclub will check. Drinks at the bars are paid for by you unless the booking says otherwise, so bring a card and a few Swiss francs in cash.
Wear shoes that cope with cobbles and with a night on your feet, and dress for the weather and for a club door. Eat beforehand, drink water between rounds and agree with your group how you will get back to your hotel. Trams run less often late at night, and night buses and taxis are the usual option.
Who it suits and how to use it: this is a good choice for solo travellers, friends on a city break and anyone who wants a quick route through the best-known bars of the Niederdorf without researching it first. It is less suited to travellers who want a quiet dinner and conversation, for whom the Old Town in the evening, the lake and a restaurant in the guild houses are better.
Combine it with a food tour by day, rather than the same evening, so that you are eating before you start drinking. Drink responsibly, look after your phone and wallet in busy venues and remember that you will want a slow morning afterwards.
What to expect
The experience
A guided group pub crawl through the bars of the Niederdorf, ending with entry to a nightclub, with free shots among the perks.
Best time
Friday and Saturday evenings for the liveliest atmosphere; check the departure time when you book.
How long
About three and a half hours.
Tips
Carry photo identification. Eat beforehand and pace your drinks. Budget for drinks at each stop. Plan your way back, because trams run less often late at night.
Quick picks
- Best for
- Adults who want an introduction to the Niederdorf nightlife and a group to share it with.
- Families
- Not suitable for children; this is an adult evening out.
- Couples
- A fun, social night rather than a quiet dinner; better for friends than for a romantic evening.
- Pair with
- A food tour by day, and a lake walk the next morning.
- Time needed
- About three and a half hours, plus the rest of the night.
Good questions
How long is the Zurich pub crawl?+
About three and a half hours, moving between bars in the Niederdorf and ending at a nightclub.
What is included?+
Guided stops in the bars of the Niederdorf, free shots as a perk and entry to a nightclub at the end. Drinks beyond the perks are bought at each bar.
Is it suitable for solo travellers?+
Yes. The group format is a good way to meet other visitors.
Do I need ID?+
Yes. Carry photo identification, because the legal drinking age applies and the nightclub will check.
Where does it meet?+
The meeting point and the bars vary with the date and are confirmed when you book. Check when you book.
