Last week it was gin and whisky. This week it's a bit more transatlantic with a mezcal pop-up. And we have some comedy, arts and crafts and a band from the UK. Oh, and we have a new comic artist this week. Make sure you scroll down and check out my interview with her. 

Thurs, Fri & Sat: Last Week Gin & Whisky. This Week? Mezcal!

Friday: From Bean To Bar. Learn More About Chocolate With Garçoa (Scroll ⬇️ to find out more.)

Fri & Sat: Comedy Haus Presents Victor Patrascan

Saturday: Oysters, Beats & Bubbles At Europa Café

Sunday: Nutty For Knitty? Park Platz Can Help

Tuesday: UK Band The Subways Play Exil (Scroll ⬇️ to find out more.)

Love chocolate? Then choco-philes Garçoa have an event that would get Willy Wonka drooling. They are offering a chocolate tasting workshop in which you will learn what «Single Origin Chocolate» is, (don’t worry, i don’t have a clue either,) and how it goes from the bean to the belly via the bar and the mouth. (does that make any sense???) The workshop is not free and needs to be reserved but would make a nice early Christmas present for any chocoholics you know.

p.s. You know one chocoholic and his name’s Ron.

Thursday 6:30pm, Garçoa, Butzenstrasse 60, 8038

Tuesday night is live music night, right? This Tuesday’s offering sees Exil host the UK post-punk band The Subways. The band have a long history, (and no, they didn’t take their name from a purveyor of dodgy sandwiches,) having first found fame after playing Glastonbury and later supporting some Australian outfit called AC/DC. Anyhoo, they’re bringing their brand of punk/garage rock to Exil this week.

Tuesday 7pm, Exil, Hardstrasse 245, 8005

The name «Vollgas Studio» suits Andrea’s illustrations perfectly, because her drawings also look as if they’re created at full throttle: loud, colourful and uncompromising. Andrea always knew she wanted to become an artist, but first took a detour through graphic design. As a queer, feminist illustrator, she prefers to work on exactly those themes: queerness, feminism, body acceptance and diversity. She also told me where she most enjoys working – and it’s not in her studio. But find out for yourself.

It’s December, which means the annual «what on earth do I buy people?» panic is about to kick in. My rule of thumb still holds: the more local and sustainable, the better. Luckily, Zurich is bursting with clever pop-ups right now. I’ve picked out three that are perfect for gift hunting — even if you fully intend to keep half the presents for yourself.