el lokal
The el lokal is a revolutionary cafe (Che Guevaras all over the walls...), but also the official fan bar of a soccer club. It is especially nice to sit outside at the river. They sometimes also have concerts and jam sessions. Check the program out on their site. Gessner-Allee 11.
helsinki
I always wonder why the Helsinki is called like that, even if it is located in the middle of Zuri-West (the upcoming - former industrial - district of Zurich). Anyway, it's a really cute club with a unique program. On Sunday, a hillbilly band (Aad Hollander Trio from Hell) is always playing, on Tuesday it is a Jazz band (Paul's Boutique). The other cool thing about this club is their juke box. It is always put together by a world famous artist or band (like Sonic Youth or Matthew Barney). Geroldstrasse 35.
jägergasse 17
This former school is at the moment occupied by artists. If you here someone talking about something is going on there, check it out. It's quite unique because it's huge and very improvised. There is no official schedule - at least not as far as I know. Jägergasse 17.
sansibar
This is a table soccer bar, but I like the interior as well and don't worry, you are not forced to play table soccer in there. Anyway, if you have the chance to see some of the best table soccer players in Zurich, you will be quite amazed. That's for sure. Militärstrasse 114.
total bar
The total bar is becoming more and more my favorite place to drink a beer. Unpretentious and Tellstrasse 19.
xenix
This is a tiny bar (although it got a bit bigger since the renovated it) of a cinema (see the cinemas section). In summer it becomes the place to hang out because it is nice to drink your beer outside. Kanzleistrasse 56 (Helvetiaplatz).
zukunft
This is a club I would really like if they had more concert and less electronic music of any stupid kind. It is in the basement and the layout of the room as well as the small size of it is pretty cool. Maybe you like techno, so it will be your place, I go there only from time to time to see a not too well known but excellent band. Dienerstrasse 33.