Cinema

There are many theaters throughout Zurich, showing both local and international movies. There are some theaters that specialize in English language films and indie films. Movies shown in their original language are listed as being in O (Originalsprache). If the film is in English with German and French subtitles, it will be listed as "E/d/f". Cinema programs may also have the words Grossbuchstabe (spoken language in the film) and Kleinbuchstabe (subtitles) with the appropriate language(s) listed besides them. A film may also be shown in a different language at different times of the day.

Cineman is a great English resource for finding theaters and show times. Kitag is the best resource in German.

Arthouse Le Paris (Cinema Arthouse Le Paris) - Frequently changing Arthouse Movies, students get a discount.

Orange Cinema - Offers open-air screenings in July and August. Shows many movie favorites and is well attended.

Arena filmcity - Located at Kalanderplatz in the Sihlcity shopping complex. Nine different cinemas. Tel: 0900 912 912

Arthouse Alba - Plays independent films in various foreign languages with subtitles. Ticket sales and telephone bookings half an hour before the beginning of each film. Tel: 044 250 55 40

Xenix - The movie theater with independent, engaged and experimental movie productions. Tel: 044 242 04 11

Filmpodium - Both commercial and special films shown twice a day on weekdays and three showings a day on weekends. In various languages. Tel: 044 211 66 66 Fax: 044 212 13 77

Riffraff - Movie house with four screens showing non-commercial films, in original languages with subtitles. Tel: 044 444 22 00

Discounts

The Cine Card allows for reduced tickets prices to all screenings at cinemas in Switzerland. Valid for one year, it is sold at participating cinemas.

Nightclubs

Switzerland is not the first place one thinks of for great nightlife, but Zurich offers a great deal of variety in clubs. The city has the liveliest nightlife in Switzerland with the highest density of clubs. There is no official closing time and parties can last all night. The free magazine, 20 Minuten, offers recommendations and openings and the internet site, http://www.usgang.ch/, offers a schedule. Zurich's tourism site also has helpful listings.

Zurich West has become a hub of nightlife. A former industrial district, this area has become quite trendy. Most people stay at bars or at home until late in the night and go to the clubs after midnight.
Niederdorf is part of the old town with beautiful alleys, restaurants and shopping that turns into a great spot for nightlife after dark.

General tips to gain entry:
• Don't try to enter as a large group on popular nights. Break up into smaller groups if there are 5+
• Know the style of the club you are going to and dress for it.
• Men may have more trouble getting in so try to balance your group with more women than men.
• Bring cash to pay for the cover.

Clubs

• Langstrasse - This is the Red light district of Zurich, but is still very safe. Many stylish bars sit next to strip clubs including Brazilian bars, punk clubs, HipHop stages, Caribic restaurants, arthouse-cinemas, Turkish kebabs and Italian espresso-bars.
• X-Tra - On Limmatstrasse 118, this is the biggest Club in the area. There is free admission on Mondays.
• Alte Borse - Resonating rhythms of electro, disco, house, techno and urban enthral partygoers today. International star DJs play at this hotspot on Zurich’s nightlife scene.
• Hive Club - On Geroldstrasse 5, it has many rooms to wander through and listen to DJ's from Switzerland and abroad.
• Abart - For the alternative and artsy crowd.
• Cranberry - This cocktail bar on Metzgergasse 3 is popular and very crowded on Fridays and Saturdays before the gay crowd hits the clubs.

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