Stumbled into this place just walking around. We had two of their beers, sitting at a picnic table next 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. read more

El Lokal - Music Venues Near Me - Zürich, ZH

I'm sitting in the bar right this moment and not one, but two separate bartenders (men) told me this 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. read more

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Great, funky, authentic vibe. Good veggie options. Friendly staff, and a convenient location. Plus (for Zürich) the prices were reasonable.

If you haven't been to this place, it's worth checking out. There's lots of stuff on the walls. You'll know what I mean when you're inside. It's quite laid back, so a totally different bar scene from the fancy places along Seefeld. I once went in wearing a cardigan over jeans and ballerina flats, and a guy I met told me I was pretty dressed up. LOL. Conveniently located within walking distance between Zürich HB and Selnau train stations, and you can even pop over across the street from Reithalle or Stall 6 to do a little bar-hopping. Can get a bit loud inside with the music playing, and it's a bit too crowded to dance properly, but that didn't stop us from getting our wiggle on! ;) read more

When the weather is hospitable, then out back by the river is the place to be at El Lokal. The hubs and I ordered locally brewed beer, a Weizen and stout, respectively. I was duly impressed with the creamy, fresh flavour of my pint, and felt as if I hadn't tasted a stout so good in years. As it was a gorgeous day, the joint was jumping for a late Tuesday afternoon. We initially sat on a kerb separating the paved portion of El Lokal's back yard from the patchy bit of earth that takes one down to the river bank. After some folk left, we then relocated to a wee bistro table. There were plates of yummy-looking wurst with kraut and the like being eaten by other El Lokalers in the vicinity. Next time I visit, I will surely have a plate of food to accompany my brew. read more

Nice beer-garden type of place. There's a fair amount of outdoor seating and the decor on the inside is "crazy" by crazy I mean it is a clusterfuck of pawn shop trinkets and amusing posters and signs and weird sometimes scary statues and stuff all over the place. Kind of like a chuck-e-cheese and chili's baby with a little pirate mixed in. There's a beer concession on the outside of the place so you don't even have to go inside to order a beer. Share tables like in a mess hall or beer garden. Make friends. read more

Alternative bar in front of Gessnerallee ! You should just go inside the bar for fun. It is cool to see all the stuff hanging around. You can go up or just hang around at the bar. It is nice, relaxed atmosphere. It can get crowded after work and especially in the evenings. The staff is mediocre friendly. I would expect nicer staff here. Especially outside. I asked a beer but the bar was not open yet. They said it would open at 7 p.m. It was exactly 6:56 Three minutes later the lady opened the bar. (And they were already with 3 people at the bar). I know its Switzerland... Most of the time there is no towels to clean your hands in the toilets :) Just that you now it. In summer its even getting more nice. You can sit outside and they have then the outside bar (with limited choices of drinks) and you can enjoy a Wurst and enjoying it along the Sihl river. For sure a place to check out !!! And if you are there you can try out Stall 6 or Rimini Bar. read more

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Pretty cool bar, very hipster decorations. There's an outdoor area, downstairs and upstairs. Not super large and the music downstairs is super loud. read more

A great local legend. Hailing themselves as "the last island of the Sihl" (the river Sihl in Zurich), when you step into this joint you transplant yourself to the inner workings of a pirate ship: look up and you'll see a large skeleton staring at you! In the summer, you can really feel the beauty of this location as the soft, cool breeze of the Sihl runs by you as you sit outside with a drink. A no-fuss BBQ food is also available for purchase during outdoor friendly weather. The only negative I find is that there can be at times a lot of smokers outside putting a damper on the nice air, but this is more of a Zurich thang, not El Lokal's fault. The convenience of this location is key - it's a short walk from the Sihlpost stop (Lines 3, 14, 31). Frequented by real hipsters (ya know, those that would never call themselves hipsters), they host regular live band concerts in a cozy atmosphere. Sadly I've heard that this is running into tough times, as I was told this was attributed to younger generations (Millennials/Generation Z...) trending more into club hopping and not so much into live music in small cozy venues. So please support this place and attend a concert here with some friends - could be a great time! Drinks selections are decent, and will please the patriotic Swiss soft drink lovers as they carry stuff from the local Vivi Kola. But hopefully, unlike my favorite pirate Jack Sparrow, you won't be saying "why is the rum gone" when you are here! read more

From the inside this place looks rad. Big ass skeleton. Lots of little artefacts. Great ambiance. Perfect to take pictures. Friendly staff. Drinks are pricey. Its close to the center so that makes sense. read more

El Lokal is a super rad place. It might be described as Bohemian-Hipster-Kitsch. There's artsy junk hanging all over the place and funky art and trinkets invading every nook and cranny. There are two floors. All the seats in the house are gone by early evening on the weekends. It's also a favorite destination for after-work drinks. I wouldn't specifically recommend them for their bartending skills, but they have Turbinenbräu on tap and Appenzeller in the bottle, among others. They also have bar snacks - sandwiches and what not. I believe they do some "tapas" during the day. Unfortunately the staff behind the bar is nothing friendly. I think they think they're to cool for school. read more

Loved this place. Unfortunately there was no live music but there was good music and very cool decoration. It's definitely a very hipster place with a great mix of an international crowd. A bottle of wine was about CHF 40 swiss franks and beer about 5.50 (grosse). The main reason why I give it 5 stars is cause the atmosphere and service were absolutely amazing. The bar tenders were so down to earth and extremely friendly. We even told them we have never had such friendly service in Zurich. Would definitely recommend this place If you're looking for a laid back hipster bar. read more

El Lokal - Music Venues Near Me - Zürich, ZH

What a super cute place to pop in for a beer with my friends one sunny afternoon. I actually LOVED the vibe inside the building, even though I just stuck my head in to look around... I would totally come back at night and see what it's like. But for a great afternoon in the sun, next to the river, they did the job perfectly. BONUS POINTS for the Zurich water fountain (that's probably been there for decades) right in the middle of their garden patio. read more

Nice place for having a delicious beer or gin. A place where u should go when u are in Zurich

I really, really like this place. Sure, the lines for the food and the drinks - and the bathroom! - can get a little long, but on a nice evening, it's a great place to be to sit outside and enjoy the beautiful weather. It definitely gets crowded quick, so be ready to claim a spot at one of the tables when something frees up! read more

Meh... Cute and kitschy for Zurich... Mediocre food... Service as if by mentally handicapped people

I really like the atmosphere of the place. Alternative, multi culture, progressive. Try to go there each time I visit Zurich to meet up with friends, have a nice beer and enjoy watching the river. read more

A combination between hipster and alternative place, with cool inside decoration and seating (upstairs). When they open the patio in summer, things get even better with the outside bar and grill. read more

Really nice place. Well was. I won't go again. The owner is very unfriendly and basically told us to leave because we had just finished a drink and hadn't ordered the next one so we're taking up a table. Pity because I used to go all the time. read more

el lokal is the bar I went to when I was visiting Zurich and still remembers till now Very nice place, Great employees and nice atmosphere, Dont miss visiting this unique place for a drink if u ever go to Zurich. Firas read more