Where the people of Winterthur usually meet to chat, there is a yawning emptiness. But that will change again, and we want to be prepared for that. The city, which connects eastern Switzerland with the Swiss Plateau, has a lot to offer that we can look forward to after the lockdown. Winterthur is relaxed and uncomplicated, loud where you want action and quiet where you need peace and quiet. Sophie Graff has loved the former industrial town since she moved here from the Töss Valley ten years ago. The illustrator now knows Winterthur inside out and is therefore giving us the best tips this month at .
Living
The Hotel Loge am oberen Graben impresses with its Gothic, listed façade in the style of the Freemasons. The associated bar is known for its great gin selection. The Albani Hotel is located in the heart of the old town and is home to a historic music club on the first floor, where numerous famous bands have performed since 1989. The Sulzerareal is home to Depot 195, a hostel whose rooms were designed by local artists. At Zürcherstrasse 137 you will find the furnished apartments of Visionapartments, another good option for accommodation in Winterthur.
Loge, Oberer Graben 6, 8400 Winterthur, www.hotelloge.com
Albani-Hotel, Steinberggasse 16, 8400 Winterthur, www.albani.com
Depot 195, Lagerplatz 4, 8400 Winterthur, www.depot195.com
Visionapartments, Zürcherstrasse 137, 8406 Winterthur, www.visionapartments.com
Food
Alvaro’s Tapas Bar De-Tapas has recently become an insider tip. The cozy place is ideal for an aperitif, for which the right wine or vermouth is expertly recommended. For a tasteful dinner, head to Nachbarsgarten, away from the hustle and bustle of the Veltheim district, directly behind the train station. Fortunately, the chili cheese burger is also available as a take-away at . The Coalmine is a bar, café and restaurant in one, making it the ideal place to linger. If circumstances allow, readings, film screenings or discussion groups take place here in the evenings. Hasan knows half the city, and half of Winterthur knows the Sandwich King’s great sandwiches and delicious black tea.
De-Tapas, Tösstalstrasse 8, 8400 Winterthur, www.detapas.com
Nachbarsgarten, Feldstrasse 22, 8400 Winterthur, www.nachbarsgarten.com
Coalmine, Turnerstrasse 1, 8400 Winterthur, www.coalmine.cafe.com
Hasan, Technikumstrasse 32, 8400 Winterthur, www.instagram.com
Shopping
Away from Marktgasse, Neustadtgasse or Steinberggasse are the best places to store. Jeans are available at Deans in Marktgasse, with a clear conscience on top, as the store also sells fairly produced clothing. One of the best second-hand stores is Segunda Mano, whose range changes weekly. Gangart is a shoe store on the upper ditch that won’t let anyone leave the door without the right shoes. The shoes sold here are produced in Europe and are guaranteed not to be 0815. Hako Getränke ‘s range of beers simply makes you salivate, and it’s also a great place to start the evening. Zappa Doing offers comics, mangas and cartoons, where you can immerse yourself in a parallel world, not least thanks to the friendly staff. Last-minute gifts and fun decorations are available at myForm HomeDecor, and if you really don’t have time , just let the staff choose.
Deans, Marktgasse 56/58, 8400 Winterthur, www.deans.com
Segunda Mano, Schulgasse 4, 8400 Winterthur, www.facebook.com
Gangart, Holderplatz 6, 8400 Winterthur, www.gangart.com
Hako Getränke, Steinberggasse 53, 8400 Winterthur, www.hakogetraenke.com
Zappa Doing, Obergasse 5, 8400 Winterthur, www.zappadoing.com
myForm HomeDecor, Obergasse 21, 8400 Winterthur, www.myform-shop.com
Entertainment
Coucou, Winterthur’s cultural magazine, always has the best events off the beaten track. Small concerts are held on Monomonday in the Portier, and in the Kraftfeld on the Sulzerareal you can also dance on Sundays at times when the sun is still shining. Winterthur is home to many cozy bars such as Lina’s behind the train station or Lina’s Bar, which is more like a living room for friends.
Coucou, www.coucoumagazin.com
Porter, Lagerplatz 3, 8400 Winterthur, www.portier.lagerplatz.com
Kraftfeld, Lagerplatz 18, 8400 Winterthur, www.kraftfeld.com
Lina’s, Wartstrasse 38, 8400 Winterthur, www.linas-bar.com
Lina’s Bar, Wartstrasse 38, 8400 Winterthur, www.linas-bar.com
Quarters
Steinberggasse is the meeting zone par excellence, where cafés, bars and stores line up side by side. The former industrial quarter Sulzerareal is now home to restaurants, a nightclub and exhibition and commercial space. In warm temperatures, people meet outside the old town on the Storage space on the warm asphalt when there is no more room on the bistro chairs. The Bäumli above the town on the Goldenberg is a viewing platform and motif for many amateur photographers.
Sophie Graff
is a freelance illustrator and lecturer in design at firstfloor.
loves to reflect and collect ideas while driving .
hates stagnation.