The coolest pop-up bars in Bern

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. You can bring your own food to barbecue and use the fire rings on site. From June to September there is a lot going on besides the culinary delights: from lounge chair concerts to open-air cinema and theatre – there is something for everyone.

To the colourful programme

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. They are available either with patties made from Aaretal Duroc pigs or vegetable nuggets. In addition to freshly tapped beer, the drinks menu features in-house creations as well.

Forget the time

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.

To the city oasis

"Offäbar" (apparently) is a new pop-up bar in the museum garden. Created by two friends, colourful flags fly between the trees from May to the beginning of August - the perfect place to celebrate Bern's summer together. Regional and sustainable products are served from the red container: Bärner Müntschi, Bärner Mule or homemade syrup from Utzenstorf. But there's not just culinary delights on offer, there's also plenty going on culturally, with regular quiz evenings, beer pong tournaments and games evenings organised alongside talks, discussions and Q&As.

Apparently you have to go there

High above the Länggasse’s rooftops you can find the pearl among Bern’s pop-ups: the inclusive Bar8. It only takes 160 steps or an elevator ride until guests can soak up the sun and celebrate moments of happiness. Cocktails, 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.

For a foretaste

Sipping a refreshing drink, munching on spicy momos or Greek specialities and philosophising into the evening with a view of Bernese landmarks such as the Kirchenfeldbrücke bridge and the cathedral? There's probably nowhere better to do this than five metres up in the panoramic lounge of the bar in the park of the Bernisches Historisches Museum, where we look forward to unwinding in the cosy atmosphere, clapping along to various concerts and showing our love to the artists on site.

Summer in the museum park

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.

Hovering over the Aare

If you're looking for something a little more chic, head to the Summer Beach on the large Schanze, just above Bern railway station. Cosy lounges, parasols and the splashing of the fountain in the middle of the location create a summery atmosphere. The trendy club soundtrack and beautiful sunsets are the perfect setting for a cosy get-together. The bar offers a large selection of national and international beers, refreshing drinks and fruity cocktails. Aperitifs, regional specialities and hot sandwiches are also served.

More "beach feeling"

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.

Relax under the bridge

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.

Along the Aare to the bar

What is our favourite, and well-deserved, after-work drink? Sometimes we like this, sometimes we like that. This pop-up bar is located on the Loryplatz and its three operators Rebecca, Sofia and Ladina feel exactly the same way. Which is why this lively location offers a varied and colourful menu. If you’re looking for a refreshment on a warm summer evening, you’ll find many Bernese specialties such as Simmentaler beer, Hanz Vodka or tonic water from Kandt waiting for you behind the bar. Children can serve themselves at the eye-catching, brightly coloured syrup bar so they don’t forget to tend to their thirst while having fun in the play box. Guests are also well catered for in culinary terms: the delicacies from the pizzeria next door can be savoured at the pop-up at any time.

Let's see, Malso

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.

Put on your rose-coloured glasses

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.

Let yourself drift

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.

Off to the water

«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! And what could be better than enjoying all these delicacies with a 360° panoramic view? We are already looking forward to seeing the dreamlike sunsets!

Are you coming up too?