Pop-up bars in Bern

The newest addition to Bern’s pop-up bar scene is located on Loryplatz, ideal to reach by tram or bicycle. And even though the tram stop is so close, the team at Midas has managed to create a relaxed urban oasis thanks to the inviting décor of plants and fairy lights, friendly staff, delicious drinks and all-round attention to detail. Our personal culinary highlights are the crunchy corn and the colourful Strawberry Matcha. The latter is an absolute crowd pleaser and often sold out at the end of the day, so make sure to go by sooner rather than later. Cheers!

A colourful container in the middle of nature? What might seem unusual at first actually fits surprisingly well in the Länggasse neighbourhood. Behind the Bar at Viererfeld, work is underway. But in front, visitors enjoy the calm of the meadow, relax in little nooks, or watch the lively activity from the rooftop terrace. Adventurous souls can have fun in the adjacent bike park or playground. This is a true oasis that invites you to immerse yourself and unwind. Now, if that’s not the perfect way to spend your time with friends or family as the day winds down. By the way: The bar runs entirely on solar power, making it not just a relaxing but also a sustainable place.

The Piazza Bar, popular among concertgoers and lovers of a good afterwork beer, or “Fübi”, expands by opening its bar “Piazza im Park” in the Hirschengraben park. Every day, the pop-up bar delights with refreshing drinks, crisp beers, and delicious desserts, such as the “Hasli” ice cream. Our secret favourite: the Affogato – a perfect combination of ice cream and espresso. If you’re lucky, you can even snag a spot in the comfy hammocks and rock yourself into full holiday mode. By the way: The Piazza in the park is also open in winter.

This urban oasis – just a few steps from Bern main station – with its colourful tables, cosy lounge chairs and atmospheric fairy lights will put you right in holiday mood. It is a place for meetings and conversations, for reading the newspaper or playing ping-pong, for concerts, culture, and culinary delights. The centrepiece is the summer bar. Is there anything better than a cup of coffee in the morning sun, an «Apéroplättli» (aperitif platter) in between or a barbecue in the evening? However, there is no obligation to consume anything in this place. In the evening, you can bring your own food to barbecue and use the fire rings on site. From May to September there is a lot going on besides the culinary delights: from workshops to open-air cinema and theatre – there is something for everyone.

If you are fed up with being in the office at 30 degrees in the shade, we recommend a bike ride to the Liebefeld Park. Lying on the pallet sofa under colourful parasols and watching the sun set over the pond – that is what a little time-out from everyday life can look like! You can make yourself comfortable in between the herb garden and the flower bed on the roof terrace of the shipping container. Should you get hungry from all your sunbathing, you can always order a burger. In addition to freshly tapped beer, the drinks menu features in-house creations as well.  

This pop-up is located very close to the train station, on the Kleine Schanze. The pavilion on this small hill stands out with its parasols, palm trees, and a stylish bar with lots of plants. The whole place exudes a holiday feeling, and the trees provide you with soothing shade. Enjoy the specially created drinks and the matching, generous «Apéroplättli» (aperitif platters), and pinsas in all imaginable variations. The guests not only stay seated for a good while because of the excellent menu, but also because the furniture is so high quality and inviting. However, if there is no room, you can easily make yourself comfortable on the wall and enjoy the view.

High above the Länggasse’s rooftops you can find the pearl among Bern’s pop-ups: the inclusive Bar8. It only takes an elevator ride until guests can soak up the sun and celebrate moments of happiness. Cocktails, delicious homemade pizzas, finger food, good people and rooftop concerts make for a particularly cosy atmosphere. So cosy in fact that we will happily stay for a drink. Or two. Or three... Especially nice to know: this summer bar is a joint inclusion project of the Blinden- und Behindertenzentrum Bern (the Bern Centre for the Blind and Disabled) and Provisorium 46, an inclusive restaurant. The roof terrace is open to everyone – not only in front of the bar, but also behind it.

Feel like sipping on a refreshing drink, munching on spicy momos or pizzas while philosophizing into the evening and enjoying a view of Bernese landmarks like the Kirchenfeld Bridge and the cathedral? Maybe you’ll even want to discuss the ideals of the samurai or the unleashing of the monetary system after a visit to the exhibitions? There is probably no better place for that than in the park of the Bern Historical Museum. Every Thursday, the sound of unplugged concerts will float through the park, and on Fridays, DJs will play relaxing lounge music. Oh, we will happily let our souls dangle in this cosy atmosphere, clap to the rhythm of the concerts and show our love to the artists on site.

Fancy an after-work beer under a green canopy, with a view of the UNESCO World Heritage Site and probably the most beautiful river in the world? That’s exactly what the summer bar designed by artist duo Lang-Baumann offers. What’s so special about it? The platform construction encloses the ancient lime tree growing next to the Kunsthalle. The shadow play in the evening light is absolutely unique! The bartenders conjure up creative drinks while you enjoy the dreamlike sunsets and the view of the Parliament Building. Our tip: be sure to order the «RedRuby» and enjoy an aperitif bite with it.

If you prefer something a little bit chicer, the best place to visit is the Summer Beach on the Grosse Schanze, just above Bern main station. Cosy lounge chairs, parasols, and the splashing of the fountain in the middle of the location exude a summery atmosphere. It’s a wonderful place to celebrate being together while enjoying trendy club sounds and beautiful sunsets. The bar offers a wide selection of national and international beers, super premium iced tea, refreshing drinks and fruity cocktails. In addition, aperitif platters, regional specialties and hot sandwiches are served.

Right under the Wohleibrücke bridge is Bern’s most iconic lakeside pub – Bogen 17, where a colourful crowd gathers under awnings and bunting. While the stand-up paddles and rowing boats glide across the water in the background, the kitchen crew in the blue container sizzles creative dishes with a lot of passion and team spirit. They pay particular attention to the use of regional products. Most of the food on the plate is grown in the region. From the cheese to the salad and the vegetables to the beef, the ingredients come from the neighbouring farms around Lake Wohlen. Why not try the homemade okara nuggets with the matching “miso veganaise”, the homemade vegan mayonnaise, or cool off with a refreshing drink.

At Bern’s turquoise vein – along the banks of the Aare between Marzili and Eichholz, where the locals flock to in swimming trunks and bikinis in hot temperatures – Alex, David and Lukas are opening up the flaps of their converted shipping container for the fourth time. The three likeable young gentlemen took hammer and drill into their own hands and made the dream of a summer paradise on the Aare a reality. For a culinary stopover, we recommend the legendary homemade iced tea or the arven schnapps «Flüssigs Houz» (liquid wood). These guys can also conjure up matching food, for example, the Simmental aperitif platter or in-house burgers made from regional ingredients.

Peter Flamingo is the cultural meeting place that made us fall head over heels in love with in 2017. Since then, the colourful bird regularly lands near the main university building, around the corner from the Schanzenwiese, where it takes up residence during the warm months. This pop-up trumps with delicious drinks, a cool look, and a cosy atmosphere – and you can fill your belly at the burger stand. We’re looking forward to hanging out there again, dancing into the evening at their small music events, and generally taking in a big dose of culture.

After only three minutes on foot down the stairs from the Kornhausbrücke and over the Altenbergsteg, we can see the colourful pennants of the summer bar in the Altenbergpärkli fluttering from afar. Here you can experience Hawaii feeling in the middle of the federal city: many of the guests come here to watch the Aare surfers. The Trybhouz team mixes delicious Marzili Mules or specially created Spritz variations. Be sure to order one of the legendary halloumi burgers in sourdough bread and with a honey-mustard-rosemary sauce.

The gentle lapping of the passing Aare in your ear, a refreshing ginger spritz in your hand... Until September, the Dalmazimätteli – just a few steps away from the Marzilibad – is transformed into a small summer paradise. Here, Tom Weingart and his team invite you to linger, while they mix cool drinks and offer up tarte flambée and other delicious snacks. We can make ourselves comfortable on the terrace, order a second round of drinks (they are simply heavenly!) and observe the hustle and bustle along the Aare and on the lawn. The impressive balancing acts of professionals on the slackline or the contortions of practiced yogis will make you forget about time.

“I nime no e Campari Soda...” (“I’ll have another Campari soda”) It might not exactly be above the clouds, but at least far above the rooftops of Bern. On the rooftop bar of the Tertianum Résidence, just behind the Inselspital, 18 floors separate you from everyday life. In addition to Campari soda, there are of course other high- and low-percentage classics on the menu, as well as original creations like the homemade sodas and aperitif bites. Beer lovers and wine connoisseurs will also be happy up here! While this year at Pink Lime it’s all about “Un estate Italiana” – an Italian summer – three speed dating events are sure to spark summer vibes and set hearts racing