On a Sunday night, this bar is open later than most everywhere else in Zurich, aside from its…read moreLangstrasse neighboring bars that cater to a very different audience (think establishments with clothing optional "performances" and all night hookah bars). It's a bit divey, for sure, but not in a dirty or dingy way. Despite Yelp saying that credit cards are accepted here, the bartenders told me otherwise (with a 30CHF bill), so keep that in mind if you're visiting from out of town and have limited Swiss currency. I'm guessing those instances are probably limited, given the relative neighborhood-y feel to the bar, but with its proximity to the train station you never know. There's not much specifically identifiable as great about Olé Olé, but it's the culmination of everything about the place that just makes it generally lovable. The bartender gals are cheerful and charming, and even manage to have their own labeled beer as a result of their infamy. The patrons are chill, but friendly, so much so that we wound up back at the flat of one of the people we met at the bar to have some after-hours drinks and inevitably chat about global politics (some things never change). Pricing seemed decent, with 4 beers (I think) being about 25-30CHF. They only had the local beer Amboss on draft in two varieties, which was pretty mediocre, but still better than the Bud or Miller products you would find in a similar dive back in the U.S. This definitely feels like more of a shots or whiskey sipping kind of bar. The bathroom deserves its own special mention here, with some of the most odd / interesting decor I've ever seen, featuring a full size skeleton hovering over the toilet with a bouquet of flowers for a groin, and a machine that dispenses something called "Travel Pussy".

This is a very nice location to go out on a weekend and to have drinks…read more The bar is the beginning of the vibrant part of Langstrasse. The interior is nice and well decorated. The crowd is kinda down-to-earth till the a-wanna-be-a-hipster. The music is nice (alternative - Rock). Prices of drinks are OK. Normal prices for Kreis 4. Just pay attention, it is a narrow bar. It gets difficult when you are with more then 4 people. And you can not be outside because it is right at the street. For sure a place to go once in a while.

Awesome hard rock bar. Actually I think it's the greatest rock music bar in Zurich…read more Although I grew up here I only discovered it about a year ago. According to Ruedi, the owner, I must have fallen through some kind of generational gap. In my late teens and early tweens there was a generation change and now there are often younger people saying to Ruedi "hi from my dad, he used to be a regular 20 years ago" ;-) What's really cool: Le Cactus started 34 years ago. And it's still here. And still awesome! It's open all day, but hardrock music starts at 6pm until 2am. There's DJs Wednesday through Saturday with house DJs DeeJoe and Urs plus regular guests. Both DeeJoe and Urs play hard music from the 70's to today. Urs really likes experimental stuff and on Wednesdays you might hear a few 15 minute songs. He turned me into a fan of The Cult and I still have a post-it where he wrote down for me his 3 favorite T-Rex songs. Just ask him questions about music and he'll be happy to share his knowledge and discuss/argue with you ;-) DeeJoe absolutely loves melodic rock from the 80s. And he played lots of Motorhead songs when Lemmy died. He's also a vinyl collector but loves the DJ software on his laptop. Depending on the people present and the current mood he will play classics by Foreigner, Deep Purple and ZZ Top, but also Stratovarius, Metallica and sometimes even Primal Fear, Children of Bodom, and of course the occasional Rammstein. And what I totally love about Le Cactus: Nobody cares what you look like or how old you are. I'm in my mid 40s and met really cool people 20 years younger and older than me. Just make sure you're at least 18. Or look 18 ;-) Obviously I love it here! Duh ;-)

Definitely the place of choice in Zurich if you're into classic rock or just want to have a few…read morebeer. They play classic rock without compromise. No heavy metal, no indie rock - simple, classic rock. Furnished like "your average biker bar", Le Cactus is a true classic and here to stay.

Fantastic place. Wanting on a whim and stayed for hours. Great drinks and even better staff. Played…read moregreat music and wonderful decor. A must do while in Zurich.

Good selection of draft beer with local Feldschlösschen ale crisp and tasty. Reliable spot to watch…read morePremier League football (soccer) on 6 different TVs. Friendly barkeeper speaks excellent English. Nice dark wood ambiance. Outdoor seating to watch the world go by in a vibrant part of Zürich. Darts. I will be here next time - tschüss :) Soccer Bar - fußball calcio fútbol

Cold be the best bar in the area. We were there on an off hour, so it was just us and a few locals,…read morewho were super friendly, sat down with us and bought us a beer. Was delighted they had augustiener, which is the best beer in the world. I'd say this is a local spot, but they are more than happy to chat you up, give you great beer, and send you on your way with a head full of recommendations. Unpretentious in every way. Also they gave me some free postcards.

Finally I found a bar where I don't have to be ashamed not to have Ray Ban sun glasses !!!…read more I have nothing against Ray Ban glasses, but I just don't like when a place is filled with bankers who are only talking about their expensive stuff :) This place is really down to earth. Nothing complicated, easy going and nice atmosphere. The staff is OK, but could be a little bit more friendly :) At the weekend it really get crowded. So get used to it to wait for a few beers. You will see me more here in winter because the outdoor area is not the best one. There are better outside summer options in Zurich. Anyway, cool bar to have a beer !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Stumbled into this place just walking around. We had two of their beers, sitting at a picnic table…read morenext to the river. There's some comments about them not being fond of tourists, but we had no issues. Maybe we're just friendly, idk, they seemed delighted we were enjoying their beer, and I could have sat there all afternoon in the shade. A real gem. Has the feel of someone turning their barn into a handout with local art and patrons. Didn't find it any more expending than anything else.

I'm sitting in the bar right this moment and not one, but two separate bartenders (men) told me…read morethis bar is "for locals" and they don't have menu's in anything other than Swiss-German and I could "use my phone" to translate. They also made it clear the food here, at what for all intensive purposes looks like a dive-bar back in the USA, does not sale "bar food." Apparently, their cook is high-class so don't come looking for fries or pizza (for example today the dish is "curry" which can be made vegetarian friendly). The staff is uppity, rude, and though signs say "international welcome" I certainly do not feel welcome to their over priced, low-self-service, absolutely rude company. If you want to see flash on the walls, have an inflated drink because the river is outside the patio full of cigarette smokers, and feel dehumanized because you're American or "other" (as he made fun of Italians and French when I explained we were there too) then come here. 0% chance I would return.

Love this bar and the owner. We didn't want to be stuck in the tourist section of town so we…read moreventured out a few blocks and found this cozy fun bar close to the center.

Feels like a US dive bar and is a pretty relaxed place to have a few drinks. It's small, and can…read moreget busy, which is no surprise as drinks here are a bargain for Zurich, which is a very expensive city. The location is very central, staff seemed friendly, albeit we had some language issues (which is obviously on us, and not them!)

A dive bar on the outskirts of town. Just my type…read more It's owned and operated by Vera (a former Playboy playmate?)... Who knows what the inspiration for the name and logo were. The inside does look a little saucy - 70's disco meets strip club. There are a few bar stools and a few corner benches. No special beer selection, no special cocktail menu. There's a digital jukebox on the wall, that is always playing unless someone pays for a request. A real hole-in-the-wall.