Switzerland Guide
Geneva
Drinking
1 La Marchand de Sable 4 Rue Vautier Loud, graffitied little nook with a rough edge and student clientele, packed most nights.
2 Café de la Plage 10 Rue Vautier Trendy alternative hangout, with long carved wooden benches and a pleasant, talkative ambience, regularly spilling drinkers out onto the street. It's a long way from any kind of plage, though.
3 Cave à Bière 19 Rue Ancienne Bar with almost 400 beers from around the world that attracts connoisseurs and serious drinkers in equal measure. Opening time: Tues-Sat
4 Bar du Nord 66 Rue Ancienne Dark, plasticky and filled with young designerish Carougeois carousing beneath murals by a local cartoonist.
5 L'Opera de Huissoud 51 Rue du Stand Charming little nook dedicated to the delights of French pop music over five decades, with photos and record sleeves adorning the walls and Charles Aznavour crackling over the speakers.
6 Le 2e (Deuxième) Bureau 9 Rue du Stand Sleek postmodern bar, with sleek postmodern people draped over the sofas as deep beats rattle the glasses. Occasionally features live music or readings.
7 Flanagan's Rue du Cheval-Blanc Top-rated Irish pub, hidden on an Old Town alley and generally packed with expats and Genevois alike.
8 La Bretelle 15 Rue des Etuves Tiny kitsch tavern just off the Rive Droite, a glitz-drenched haven from the mean streets outside, that pulls in plenty of camp, alternative young-at-hearts, especially for the live accordion and/or drag cabaret Opening time: Thurs– Sat nights
9 Mr Pickwick 80 Rue de Lausanne 
www.mrpickwick.ch Generic, rather down-at-heel English pub – a bit expensive, but nonetheless with the right kind of atmosphere and live football on the telly.