There is, however, a bar which specialises in 'beers of the world', although it's done out in an 'american bar' kind of way. It's in the centre of (SG) town, not far from the big church, but I didn't catch the name.

I was still tee-total when I passed through, which is probably why I never thought to note down what it was called.

Sorry!

This thread raises the question of what are the identifying characteristics of a "Swiss bar"? At least in Lausanne, there is as much of a difference between two regular bars as there is between either of them and the English-style bar.

I suppose that this is true of all large towns around the world. The International or themed Bar is becoming more common everywhere. I hope that this doesn't spread to the small towns and villages as well.

It is good to have the familiarity of English Beer and chatting to other English people but if I was that desperate, I would not travel at all.

Rod

These are all good pubs, the best ones I found in London are near Chancery lane. The Old Mitre is my favourite from the list above, a bit tricky to find though, good toasties. If you're in the area you must also go to
The Princess Louise http://www.beerintheevening.com/pubs...Louise/Holborn
The Cittie of Yorke http://www.beerintheevening.com/pubs..._Yorke/Holborn
Two amazing old Victorian pubs.
They're Sam Smiths brewery, so the beer tastes like p***, but great to hang around in and the bottled beers are passable.
(The Olde Cheshire Cheese is the same brewery, which is a shame.)

I have to add the Seven Stars, although it's not to everyone's liking, I think it's a gem. Great beer, interesting food, entertaining/occasionally surly staff, one of the world's most unfriendly cats http://www.beerintheevening.com/pubs.../Chancery_Lane

Of all of these, the two I'd pick are the Old Mitre and the Seven Stars, they have the best beer and good landlords who know how to keep a pub.

If you're ever in Hampstead there's the Holly Bush, it was overrun with beautiful young things who pushed out all the old men a while back so I stopped going, but it's still a good pub. http://www.beerintheevening.com/pubs...Bush/Hampstead

Sounds interesting....any more clues?

In my opinion, Sam Smith's beers are among the best around. They are one of the oldest traditional independent breweries around and also produce organic beers.

John Smith's on the other hand is probably my least favourite. Cold, gassy, keg bitter that could easily be mistaken for several other keg bitters such as Boddingtons or Tetley. (Just my opinion )

Rod

Well it's better than Tetley's or John Smiths for sure, but I think it's a bit of a soapy pint and the Harvey's, Adnams etc you can get round there is delicious. Oh, I dream of a good pint...
Also just my opinion

Harveys: Now you are talking my language! Probably because I was brought up on it as my local beer. I have probably drunk more Harveys than all other beers combined.

Rod

The Big Ben at Hardstrasse 234, 8005 Zürich isn't bad. Not so British really, but a good compromise. The manager is a Scot, the service is Swissly efficient, beer Swiss or Irish (Kilkenny very well kept, my tipple), menu good too (excellent fish & chips). Caveat: avoid it later on in the evening if you don't like indie rock music. OTH, if you do like that sort of music and you're game for a night on the tiles, it's slap bang next to loads of clubs and the Abaton cinema.

Depends on who I am going out with:
- a bunch of friends and I'd tend to go for a pub setting
- a special friend and I'd prefer an intimate cocktail lounge/bar setting

Barbra.

Fixed that for you.
dave

I can't let that go without comment. Samuel Smith's Old Brewery Bitter is, in my opinion, one of the best beers on this earth. Second only to Batemen's 3B.

Fixed that, but not really.

ooh which one is that, sounds lovely?

I'm still looking for a pub (any!) that will serve a good dark beer over here... had some good dark beers in Munich recently (the best at the Andechs Monastery), but am yet to find a good dark beer in Zürich... any tips?

Ever driven the porcelain bus?

Not in Zurich. However, the Rappi brewery's Blackbier was 2nd in the stout category in the world beer festival and is, therefore, officially the best black beer in Europe . Blowing my own trumpet (but I have testamonials too) our Dark Peter is a pretty good alternative if you like Porter.

I've only been to that Big Ben a few times, but I would agree that the staff have always been pleasant, helpful, eager to please etc.
It's a bit (ie quite/very) smoky.

I only notice this (good service not smoke) because in Zurich this seems to be the exception.

If you're a regular somewhere maybe you get better service but if you're not a person who likes to frequent the same place time after time, I noticed that Zurich staff are particulary surly. Similar service experienced in Ticino.

Is this related to the service charge / tip being included in the price of the drinks / food / service here so the staff don't need to be polite for tips.

I'm new to the Forum so please reply to advise if this topic has been covered in a previous thread(s).

I like to vary the bars I go to, to experience the whole city. I go to both pubs and bars Another consideration is the time of year. Places near rivers / lakes are the only places to be in the summer.

Brit pubs are often full of the same old faces, who if you see them often enough, means your drink problem is getting as bad as theirs ;-)

Variety is the spice of life.

My two penneth worth. HB

When I first came to Zürich after living in Graubunden and then the country side of Bern I made a beeline for the Oliver Twist. It was "THE" Pub in those days. It really felt like a Pub too, the whole community thing.

Back in the 80's the English Forum or equivalent just didn't exist, if you wanted to meet English speakers that was the place. They had lots to offer regulars, like Christmas dinners, doors closed to the public New Years Eve, Halloween fancy dress. If there was a job going or a flat to be had,you heard it there.

I still enjoy the occasional beer in there but these days it's more for the memories and a chance to run into a few old faces. (more and more often it just doesn't happen) There is such a plethora of new bars, pubs and clubs now, I tend to take my enjoyment where I find it.

I guess that it is true that we Brits are often 'Creatures on habit' and not necessarily all that adventurous when it comes to trying new places. You are right that new faces and new experiences are often better than the same old beer (unless it is really good beer!)

Rod

I avoided the Oliver Twist like some sticky disease of the genitalia for my first couple of years here since, not being 'English' enough for my taste, it just made me even more depressed and homesick.

I've actually found that the more I go to swish Zurich bars with olives and bits of old stick on the tables, quaint little countryside restaurants with dogs under the benches and Rittergold, stately confiseries with urine-stained countesses and gentlemen with small dogs, and loud, clattery beer-halls with dancing upstairs, the more I have come to love the Oliver Twist for what it is: A Swiss bar that is a little bit like an English pub, with proper crisps, a bit of a change from the usual fare, a computer to solve arguments and settle bets at the bar and the opportunity to ask for 'a pint' and be understood (bar German isn't a problem, of course, but everyone needs a break from time to time).

It's not an English pub, and never will be, but if I'd wanted to spend all my life in English pubs, I'd never have come here in the first place.

What amuses me most, though, is that I tend to go to the Twist with my Swiss friends, rather than English speaking company.... I guess for them, it's something a little exotic, a variety of shisha bar or something...