The side entrance to the Kronenhalle restaurant complex opens into a small standing bar that is technically separate from the main hotel bar but shares the same historic aesthetic and part of the wine cellar. It is the city's best-kept secret for Kronenhalle quality at a fraction of the main bar's prices. Known primarily to journalists, gallery owners, and a rotating cast of Swiss cultural figures.
The room is Kreis 1's answer to Zürich's broader hotel bar scene. The bartenders take their craft seriously without making a show of it, and the menu rewards repeat visits rather than first-timers chasing the obvious order. The Hidden Entrance programme is the right place to start.
Best time to visit is mid-week between 6pm and 9pm when the bar settles into its rhythm. Weekends fill up and the room takes on a different energy. Reservations are recommended for groups, and on Friday and Saturday for couples.
Zur Kronenhalle (Neben-Eingang) sits in Kreis 1, one of Zürich's most distinctive drinking neighbourhoods. The crowd skews toward thirty-something locals on weekdays and a slightly younger international mix on weekends. The lighting is low. Conversation works at the bar; the booths handle small groups.
Dress code is smart-casual. The bar is most rewarding for an unhurried 90-minute visit between 7pm and 9pm — early enough to talk to the bartender, late enough that the room has filled in. Tags worth knowing about: Hidden Entrance, Wine Cellar Access, Cultural Crowd.
Zur Kronenhalle (Neben-Eingang) accepts walk-ins mid-week before 8pm. After that, expect a wait — reserve in advance through their Instagram or by phone. The bar takes cards. Tipping follows local convention in Zürich. Most regulars order two drinks at the bar, then move to a table when one opens up.
What to order
- 01
The Hidden Entrance programme
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Editor's Pick
- 03
Off-Menu Request