Bern for one: our recommendations for solo outings

For this blind date, you’re left in the dark about the other participants and the location. All you know is that it is always one of Bern’s diverse cultural institutions. On the day of the event, you receive the location of the meeting place near the institution via text message. At 7 p.m., the secret is revealed, and a guided tour begins. Participants are encouraged to help shape the tour, get creative and try new things – perfect for a solo outing. And you have the opportunity to chat with your fellow culture vultures over drinks afterwards. What a great way to end the day after a long conference away from home or a day of getting to know the city.

If there’s something that the Bernese know how to do, it’s playing with language and writing gripping stories. Lukas Hartmann, Sabine Reber, Jeremias Gotthelf and Pedro Lenz are just a few of the famous writers from the region. We love sitting alone on the banks of Lake Egel with a good book from a local author and the last rays of sunshine on our faces. If you are interested in literature but also enjoy company and entertainment, a reading is the perfect place for you, as it combines great literature with lively panel discussions and good company. Interested? Take a look at the event calendars of the different cultural institutions. There are readings all over the city: at Wartsaal, Lehrerzimmer, Dampfzentrale, Ono, or the bookshop Stauffacher, for example.

Do you need to clear your mind after an exhausting day of work or some time to process all the information and impressions of an exciting city tour? Try a long walk in the city – which is one of Europe’s greenest capitals, by the way – or its surrounding regions! Discover Bern’s diverse landscapes and natural beauty on foot and take some time for yourself. Where better to daydream and recharge your batteries than on an almost meditative walk with a view of the Gurten, the River Aare, or the region’s lush meadows and forests? Our tip: stop every once in a while to collect chestnuts, pick dandelions, or follow animal tracks in the snow – depending on the season – and connect with nature.

Have all your friends already made plans, your work colleagues are working overtime and there’s no one else who’s up for a “Fübi"? Then why not try going on your own? Bern has lots of bars, for example under its famous “Lauben” (arcades), that are excellent for some relaxed people watching. Or bring a book and get some reading in, or a notebook and pen to finally write down those ideas or make some sketches. If you prefer company, you can book a spot on the Bernese Beer Tour, where beer aficionados visit four bars in Bern accompanied by a beer sommelier. In addition to fun anecdotes and interesting facts revolving around beer, a tasting at each location is obviously also a part of the tour.

A game night is probably not the first thing that comes to mind when you think of something you’d do alone – except maybe if it involves crossword puzzles or Sudokus. But it can be! If you’re spending a few days alone in the federal city or are new here and looking for a place to socialise, try going to a game night. There are, for example, regular Brändi Dog (a Swiss board game similar to Coppit) or Tichu (a cult card game from Bern) tournaments in bars and pubs across the city, including Malso near the railway station. There’s also a great place for games on Rathausgasse: between the best beer bars in Bern lies the Drachenäscht, Bern’s top game store. It hosts a game night every two months or so on a Friday evening. FYI: the event is highly popular and only 100 players are allowed in, so make sure you arrive on time.

Cooking is said to be meditative. And if you do it right, you’re rewarded with a tasty meal! If you want to try something new outside of your own kitchen, try a cooking class in Bern’s Stiftsgarten by the Minster. Everyone who is interested in nature, herbs and cooking is welcome. There are all kinds of workshops, for example one that includes collecting your own herbs before cooking. But they also offer experiences that are not cooking-related. We particularly like the Offener Stiftsgarten (open garden): on specific dates and times, this city oasis is open to the public. People relaxing over lunch, reading a book in the evening, or socialising with other amateur gardeners – there’s room for everyone.

The seats next to you are empty. Whenever a person enters the cinema, you think: Please don’t sit next to me. Otherwise, you’ll notice that I’m here alone. Then the lights go out, the room goes quiet – and so do those unnecessary thoughts in your head. You forget all about your surroundings and immerse yourself in the adventure on the screen before you. Bern has lots of cinemas, one of our favourites being the Kellerkino. It is small, located in Bern’s UNESCO-listed old town, and shows carefully selected, often award-winning movies. A true gem with an unmistakable charm. One thing’s for certain: no one will mind that you’re there on your own. It’s actually more likely that the indie films will spark a lively discussion with your fellow cinephiles during the interval.

You don’t need other people to be creative. After all, Vincent van Gogh or Frida Kahlo weren’t always surrounded by their loved ones, either – and look what they created! In Bern, there are loads of activities where you can get creative. The Schule für Gestaltung (School of Design), for example, has a wide range of classes and workshops with everything from watercolour painting to pottery. Our insider’s tip for creative minds are the Drink’n’Draw events: sketching nude models with a pencil in one hand and a drink in the other in a bar or a museum. If you’re into sewing, we recommend visiting the Bazaar Nähstube sewing studio in the lower part of the old town. Whether you’re a beginner or a seasoned pro – all the sequins, ruffles and colours invite you to live out your creativity.

Jogging through the Bremgarten forest on your own and letting your thoughts wander or rolling out your yoga mat by the River Aare to practise the sun salutation are great for recharging. But if you don’t want to exercise alone all the time, there are lots of options in Bern. There are different running clubs in the city who are always happy to welcome new members. The Sane Club, for example, founded in Bern. Runners regularly meet to go running together (and it’s free). There are also yoga classes or cross fit sessions that regularly take place in Bern. Why not try it out? We all know that when we’re starting to lack motivation, a group activity can work wonders.

This is where we get to the “date with myself”. Dressed up, hungry, and ready to go out? Bern’s range of restaurants is as diverse as the city itself, and there are even some with concepts designed for solo diners in particular. The Altes Pfarrhaus in Muri, for example, regularly hosts a tavolata where strangers come together and share food and company – available by individual reservation only. With its many comfortable seating options, the restaurant is also ideal for a snack break with a good book. At Pusterum, a Nordic-inspired restaurant, you’ll find tables in all shapes and sizes. Will you join the other people at the long table or do you prefer sitting by yourself at a small one? It also regularly organises game nights, concerts, theme evenings and other social events.

Going dancing alone? Why not! We are convinced that diving into the local nightlife is fun as a single person, too. After all, people don’t really dance in pairs anymore anyway, and there’s nothing to worry about in terms of safety in Bern. A lot of clubs work with detailed awareness concepts (guidelines for considerate behaviour), ensuring a safe space for partygoers. These include the youth nightclub Stellwerk, the techno nightclub Kapitel, and the cultural centre Progr Turnhalle, for example. If you prefer a more relaxed activity from Bern’s culture scene, we recommend going to a concert or seeing a play. The audience isn’t supposed to talk during the performances anyway, so you can easily go by yourself and enjoy an entertaining night out.

Let’s talk about dancing some more. You’ve been wanting to learn how to dance but don’t have anyone to take classes with? Not a problem! The Tanzheit dance school in the Mattenhof neighbourhood offers holistic dance classes for everyone. We especially recommend the Salsa Solo Training for fans of Latin American rhythms. If you’re dreaming of dancing like the characters in the American film “Footloose”, sign up for a line dance course at the Tanzlounge in Bern’s old town. The choreographies are learnt and danced in groups – there is no need for a partner.