Bars, bars, and more bars! If you know me, you know I love a good cocktail bar. Not just any bar, though… I prefer places with character that locals love to frequent. While searching for the best Lugano nightlife, I stumbled upon several bars that were unique, atypical, and favored by the locals. It’s hard to find bars and restaurants that stand out from the crowd (probably because we’re spoiled by variety already). So, when you find locations that tickle your fancy, it’s pretty much mandatory that you make an appearance. Lugano is small, but honestly, it has so much to do, and there’s also a large population of young people who make sure that the nightlife scene in Lugano stays trendy.
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The Best Bars in Lugano With Extra Personality
There’s tons of bars in Lugano to quench your thirst for the local nightlife, but these five bars have that extra something special.
1. Lugangeles Tropical Cafรฉ
Want to taste the tropics in the middle of Switzerland? This cocktail and sushi bar has tons of personality and the atmosphere to prove it. When you walk in, you’ll see hanging tropical plants and foliage everywhere that will have you checking your passport to make sure you’re actually in the correct country.
Open until the wee hours of the night (Friday and Saturday only), this lounge is a fusion of Peru and Japan with unique cocktails and mind-blowing food.
Also, I want to mention that they have beer bongs available… yes, you heard that right. There is literally no other place like it in the city; it’s truly one of a kind. If you want to experience the Lugano nightlife with some extra oomph, you need to visit Lugangeles.
- Address: Via Canova 19, 6900 Lugano, Switzerland
- Service options: Dine-in, curbside pickup, no-contact delivery
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2. Bar Oops
Bar Oops is a tiny place with big character. This bar is casual, small, and unpretentious. It has a cozy and slightly weird atmosphere, vegan food options, and live music throughout the week. A younger local crowd frequents it, and it’s considered the “real soul” of Lugano. The decorations are sporadic and typical of a local dive bar, with hanging lights, foosball tables, and a disco/DJ station.
The side of the bar is also covered in Polaroid pictures to add to the retro ambiance. This place is definitely a staple of the Lugano nightlife as it’s open until 1 a.m. during the week and 2 a.m. during the weekends.
Pro tip: If you don’t like loud music, this might not be the place for you.
- Address: Via Carlo Maderno 24, 6900 Lugano, Switzerland
- Service options: Dine-in only
3. Trinity Irish Pub
This little slice of Irish heaven is like a speakeasy because it’s hard to find. The exterior of the building has no fancy sign or apparent clues that there’s a bar inside except for a small Guinness sign hanging on the corner. You kind of have to know it’s there already.
Once you enter, you’re immediately transported to Ireland. From the colors and wall decor to the mahogany bar and chairs, this place screams IRISH.
Also, the wall of the bar is covered in currency from around the world – I love little touches like that. They offer traditional Irish fare, including Irish whiskey and Guinness (duh)! They’re open until 1 a.m. during the week and 2 a.m. on weekends. If you’re in Lugano, stop by Trinity Irish Pub and experience Ireland the Swiss way.
- Address: Via Luigi Canonica 19, 6900 Lugano, Switzerland
- Service options: Dine-in and takeout
4. Bar Laura
This is a unique feature of the Lugano nightlife because it’s an espresso bar that’s open until 1-2 a.m. Who knew that was a thing? Apparently, it’s never too late for a delicious espresso in Switzerland.
Bar Laura is super popular with locals, and if the locals like it, it’s an excellent place to be. This establishment also offers wine and a delicious food and pastry menu.
It can get quite crowded, especially on Fridays and Saturdays, so be prepared for that. They have a full bar, and outdoor seating, and even live music to pleasure your eardrums. This quaint bar has everything you want if you’re looking for something unassuming with a touch of boldness.
- Address: Via Emilio Bossi 3, 6900 Lugano, Switzerland
- Service options: Dine-in and takeout
5. Vitti Lugano Ristorante & Cocktails
Okay, so this is a restaurant/bar, but it’s open late and absolutely worth mentioning. Why? This Italian establishment is dark and brooding on the inside (major speakeasy vibes) yet modern and decorated to the Nth degree with appropriately placed foliage. It’s located right next to Piazza Dante, which is quite literally the center of everything in Lugano.
The bar is a massive section of the restaurant with couches, dark modern decor, and wine cabinets around every turn. In addition, Vitti offers a wide variety of authentic Italian dishes and also tons of cheeses and pastries. This place stands out as sheer decadence in the Lugano nightlife scene.
- Address: Via Pretorio 2, 6900 Lugano, Switzerland
- Service options: Dine-in, curbside pickup, delivery
That’s a Wrap on the Best Nightlife in Lugano!
If you know of some kick-ass, elegant, or elevated bars in the Lugano region to add to the list, please share! If you’re spending more than just a day in Lugano, boy, do we have some beautiful hotels in Lugano to recommend to you!
Remember to subscribe and keep an eye out for more tasty libations and offbeat locations during my future travels. Where am I going next? You’ll have to wait and see. Can’t stop, won’t stop!
