Zurich has a lot of great little restaurants that can sometimes be difficult to find out about. Of course, as your humble city guide, I try to keep you informed of the new and my favourites but, unbelievable as this may sound, even I can’t tell you everything. But don’t fret; to help us all along, a Food Market has been set up at EWZ Selnau on Thursday evening. There you’ll have a chance to taste some of the food from these places around town, as well as from real street food vendors like the Middle Eastern Soul Köfte or the Indian Spice Lounge Supper Club. In addition to the food, they’ll have wines and craft beers to wash it all down with. If that wasn’t enough, you can also take part in a ping-pong tournament, look at a new street art exhibition by 4661m2 or just enjoy the music by the djs.
Thursday 5 pm to 11 pm (also on 12th & 26th Nov and 10th Dec), EWZ Selnau

 

 

As Halloween approaches, it’s time for us all to embrace the things that scare us the most. I’ll say it softly, so as not to traumatise the gentle hearted among you – This Friday I want you to leave Zurich and go to Wetzikon. Now, don’t panic. Wetzikon is only 20 minutes away by train but is definitely outside of the city limits. At the Kulturfabrik there, you’ll experience the Dark & Bizarre festival, an evening of art, performance, live music and djs. The festival will have it’s own Absinthe bar, amongst other things, which goes some way to explaining the crazy mix of live acts and bands they’ll have performing, from British folk and punk to deep house and futuristic hip-hop. Costumes welcome.
Friday 9 pm to 6 am, Kulturfabrik, Zürcherstrasse 40/42, 
8620, Wetzikon


 

 

Are you woefully unprepared - clothing-wise I mean, psychologically you’re on your own - for the winter months ahead? Are you, or have you ever been, a bargain hunter? If you answered ‘yes’ to either of those questions you’ll probably be interested in the Outlet sale event at Noway Atelier over the weekend. They’ll be offering clothes and jewellery, for men and women, from some of the best young designers and labels in Zurich, and all at huge discounts. You’ll also be able to drink a Prosecco, beer or coffee and really contemplate if you’re prepared for winter – psychologically I mean, clothing-wise you’ll now be sorted.
Friday 2 pm to 8 pm, Saturday 11 am to 7 pm, Sunday 12 pm to 6 pm, Noway Atelier, Ernastrasse 22, 8004

 

 

Have you ever wanted to dress up to scare little children and help monkeys at the same time? No? Strange. Just me and the folks at Amboss Rampe, then. For their Halloween night on Saturday, they’ll have a four band live line up, plus djs, including electronica project Haubi Songs and the great named Dolphins & the Unibrows. All proceeds from the party will go to the Jane Goodall Institute that helps to improve the understanding, welfare and conservation of great apes. If that doesn’t do it for your thrills and chills on Halloween, Kinski are also having a party with glam rockers King Zebra, in all their spandex clad, hair sprayed glory, playing live for their new CD release, with a Halloween afterparty. Or perhaps Kauz is more in line with your dark spirited heart as they celebrate the Día de los Muertos (Day of the Dead), with a great dj line up, Lauter Mexikaner playing live, and a whole bunch of tequila. Costumes are encouraged, with prizes, at all parties.
Saturday 10 pm Amboss Rampe, 12 am Kinski, 12 am Kaus

 

 

 

 

 

In an act of misguided homage, the Houdini cinema took it’s affection for it’s magical namesake a little too seriously back in February this year, when, for one moment it was here, and the next it had vanished. Having only opened 6 months prior, this sister cinema to Riff Raff, had a devastating, accidental fire which has seen it closed for repair for most of the year, but on Wednesday it is reopening with a party. The bar will be open, dj Mad Mike is handling the music and some short movies will be shown in the cinema. Welcome back, Houdini. Don’t disappear again too soon. Free entry.
Wednesday 6 pm to 12 am, Kino Houdini

 

 

Last year, the area around Bürkliplatz was in the hands of zombies. I didn’t recognize the town, where locals avoid carnival at all costs but seem to love dressing up for Halloween. If you’re one of them and looking for a spooky place to spend the last day of October, here some tips. Pub crawl:  The Nelson Pub is having a Halloween extravaganza until the early hours with djs on three floors. Fancy dress. Sporty: The Oliver Twist has already started celebrating Halloween (18 - 31 October) where you can also watch the Rugby World Cup final (5pm – 7pm). Dinner: Halloween comes a day early with a «Sylvia Day Murder Mystery Improv Dinner» (with 4 courses) on Friday from 7.30pm at Fork & Bottle. 100 francs per person. Icy: On Saturday, Dolder Ice Rink Disco celebrates Halloween with music from the 1980/90s, mulled wine and Halloween decorations. Get in for free if you come in costume. DIY: Pumpkins in all forms and sizes you’ll find at Juckerfarm. It’s not in Zurich but a lovely day trip and a chance to carve your own pumpkin.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A short documentary about David Boswell and his 1970s underground comic hero Reid Fleming, «The World’s Toughest Milkman». Twelfth minutes well invested.