There’s nothing like a dram on a crisp autumn day, so I’m glad to see that the newly opened McGee’s Irish Pub and Restaurant, located opposite Bahnhof Wiedikon, has whisky tastings every Wednesday. Its quiz nights and live Irish folk music have put me in the mood to explore more English and Irish pubs. Where are your favourites in the city, and why? I’d love to know.
Give my best to the city, Ron

All hail the queen
White rap sensation Lady Sovereign brings her North London accent and exuberant personality to Härterei Club. Even though she’s known for her pixie-like stature, be ready for her music to pack a punch.
Thursday 8 pm, Härterei Club

Music mash-up
The cabaret at the Falstaff Hohlstrasse has been reinvented as Revier Club, and the launch party will certainly help put a new “spin” on the place - djs Twincut, Lexx, Ajele, and Knox are set to provide danceable music late into the City Disco-themed night. If funk is more your style, Stall 6 hosts a party of what sounds like biblical proportions: dj Henry Storch and Die Herren Novak & Wempe present “The New & Old Testament of Funk!”
Friday 11 pm, Revier Club, and 10 pm, Stall 6

Float like a butterfly, sting like a bee
The best amateur boxers from across the country fight it out in the Swiss Championships, with semi-final bouts beginning this Saturday. Although it’s not for the faint of heart, this event aims to showcase exceptional talent, athleticism, and determination. As boxing great Muhammed Ali once said, “Champions aren't made in the gyms. Champions are made from something they have deep inside them - a desire, a dream, a vision.”
Saturday 4 pm, Sporthalle Sihlhölzli

(Nu) Soul music
If your iPod is full of Old School, R&B, Soul, Urban and Jazz, you might want to check out Aubrey’s line-up: featuring live performances by Guillermo Sohrya (aka Lightsouldier) & The Nu Soul Band, djs J-Kaliim, Bronx Brother and MC Shorty Real, this urban club scene mixes eclectic styles and sounds.
Saturday 9.30 pm, Aubrey

Hunter-gatherers
For those collectors of unique items and designer labels, test your browsing and haggling skills at Montagsmarkt at Mascotte. This week’s theme is Time Pieces: a glamorous journey through the timeless world of exclusive designs. Admission is free.
Monday 5 pm, Mascotte

Yankee Hotel Foxtrot
You may know the American rock band Wilco from their wildly successful album Yankee Hotel Foxtrot, but the Chicago rockers are back promoting their latest self-titled record at the Volkshaus. Dubbed the “American Radiohead” for their diverse musical catalogue, Wilco always seems to be working on something new; if you’re interested, I have two pairs of tickets to give away.
Wednesday 8 pm, Volkshaus

Wink wink, nudge nudge
If you need a few laughs to pick you up mid-week, why not try something completely different? The 1971 Monty Python classic And Now For Something Completely Different is 90 minutes of some of the British comedy group’s best sketches, including the hilarious Dead Parrot, The Lumberjack Song, and my personal favourite, Nudge Nudge.
Wednesday 6.15 pm, Filmpodium

Eating
Warm candlelight, soft music, smiling stone Buddhas: the cozy atmosphere at Devi’s Pearl Bar sounds like my kind of scene, and I’m hoping to check out their opening party on 6 November, starting at 7 pm. Did I mention the Baba Shrimps will be playing? Sounds like a fine start to me.

Reading
Inside Switzerland Magazine features people and places that you won’t find elsewhere. The autumn issue profiles a tattoo artist from the US and a dancer from India, both living right here in Switzerland, plus a Swiss animal rescuer in sunny Mexico, and a Swiss chocolatier in New Zealand. The chocolate maker’s story is particularly inspiring: Pascal Siegrist has been living in Auckland for a decade and, since a car accident five years ago left him in a wheelchair, he’s found a new passion (in addition to chocolate!): he loves to sail, and is now hoping to represent Switzerland in the 2012 Paralympics.