Winterthur Nightlife Tips by Shakalaka

Nightlife Spot: Kraftfeld

Kraftfeld means Force Field in German. The name of the bar (as well as its interior decoration)
mirrors it's location. It's placed deep inside the old industrial part of Winterthur where ages ago there was a factory for huge ship engines and the like (Sulzer). The area is constantly evolving into a more residential, very modern cultural place. The visitors are mostly locals.

It really stands out as a Bar because it's name stands for the most creative events than any other bars or clubs in town.

As for the live music, there is almost no limit to diversity:
electronic, alternative, rock, local bands, folk, punk, classical, 80's, etc. etc.

Other events range from flea market to sandcastle contest, from table tennis to arm wrestling, from Bingo to poetry slam, from snail races to air Dj-ing. There's also frequent readings and movie screenings.

For locals Kraftfeld is famous for it's midsummer- and midwinter-Parties which naturally fires twice a year. A custom wich is rare to be celebrated elsewhere in Switzerland. These parties are theme-based so the party-folks is invited to dress accordingly and as fancy as possible.

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Theme: Live Music
Dress Code: Dress Code: As you like, no Tie expected!
Address: Lagerplatz 18
Directions: It is located in the Sulzer-Areal (Industrial Area next to the Railway Station)
Website: www.kraftfeld.ch

Nightlife Spot: Plan B

Trendy, stylish, modern architecture Lounge.
Mostly electronic house music, drinks and snacks.

A peculiarity of this location (apart from the modern art style) is the huge sofa area at the back of the bar. Huge because your climbing abilities will prove useful when scaling the 1.5m height sofas. Don't forget to remove your footgear!

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Theme: Nightclub
Dress Code: Dress to impress!
Address: Zürcherstrasse 7
Directions: Sulzer Areal. 3min from the railway station.
Website: www.planb-bar.ch

Nightlife Spot: Roter Turm (Red Tower)

This one is fairly easy to find. It's the highest building in town which features the small but cozy and romantic bar on top of it (90m). In the night you can see the neon 'BAR' sign blinking from far away.

It is not only a bar but also a restaurant with a very delicious menu that I can recommend. Since there is not much room for tables it might be necessary to do a table reservation a few days in advance, if you plan to have a meal.

Do I have to mention the view? ;)

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Theme: Eating and Drinking
Dress Code: Casual is no problem.
Address: Theaterstrasse 17
Directions: See the tall red building? There. (don't confuse it with the one other tower which is not red ;)
Website: http://www.roter-turm.ch

Nightlife Spot: Bolero

This Club is huge. Nice interiors. Big Dance Floor, big Lounge area and (Fast-)Food is available.
Visitors are coming from all of the canton Zurich and from the neighbouring cantons. It is said that even locals from Zurich-City sometimes leave their favourite safe-heaven to attend a party in the Bolero from time to time. ;)

The sound oscillates around House music most of the time. Club and Party-Sounds actually.
Seen and be seen: The people are beautiful, so should you. Some say there is strict door policy but I can't agree from my experience. You must be above 21 to enter the club.

For the folks that happen to know Zurich: This is the "Kaufleuten" of Winterthur.

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Theme: Nightclub
Dress Code: Dress to impress!
Directions: Right at Winterthur Main Station.
Website: http://www.bolerolifestyle.ch/

Nightlife Spot: Gotthard

What makes the Gotthard unique is that it's the only bar in the city that has open 24hours 7days a week.

This and its location right at the main station makes it the perfect hangout for the "hope and homeless" so there is a always a bouncer during nighttimes to "preserve the quality of the clientele".

Inside there's all kind of people. At daytime it's just the normal bar/restaurant around the corner. In the night it's the warm up or chill out place for party people not yet tired enough to go home or other folks that wants to have a snack after midnight as well as this stranded guy that just missed his last train home...

Regardless on which time you enter, there's always people hanging around here.

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Theme: Eating and Drinking
Dress Code: Casual
Address: Bahnhofplatz/Untertor
Directions: Next to the main station.

Nightlife Spot: Coyote Ugly

The name says it all. For those who haven't seen the film (me hasn't): The bar is a reenactment of the movie.

So the rules are given:
Don't touch the girls (Which despite of the name most of the time are not exactly ugly).
Don't order water (at your own risk).

For students: At thursdays there is happy hour which means cheap prize!

The music is Rock, the volume quite loud and the clientele rather young but on the other hand probably it's only me being too old already :)

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Theme: Nightclub
Dress Code: Casual, but then Cowboy Boots would fit well
Address: Archstrasse
Directions: Next to the main station (again)
Website: www.coyoteugly.ch