Jules Verne Bar: A Drink With a Side of Altitude

We’re slowly approaching the middle of my blog series on the question: “Is Zurich like every European city?” According to Itchy Feet’s map, bars and places to drink wine are typical indicators — and Zurich has plenty to offer! I’ve picked a special example for you today, and I hope you like it.

Few places have a better view of and over Zurich than the popular Jules Verne Panoramabar, located in the heart of the city. It shares a tower with the Urania Observatory — though the two are unrelated.

To reach the panoramic bar high above the rooftops, guests take an elevator inside Brasserie Lipp. At the top, you’ll find classic and creative cocktails, great wines, and a breathtaking view.

Speaking of cocktails, the menu is extensive — all the classics are there. (Sparkling) wines, beers, whiskeys, gins, rums, you name it. And since we’re in Europe, the usual suspects like Ramazzotti (pass), Cynar (bitter apéritif made from artichoke — no thanks), and Absinthe (wormwood, anise, fennel — yuck) are also present. Let’s just say: go there for the view or a trusted drink! 

Honestly, the champagnes and mocktails sound the most appetizing:

• Die schwimmende Stadt (The Swimming City): grapefruit juice, lemon juice, elderflower syrup, ginger beer

• Smith’s Heissluftballon (Smith’s Hot Air Balloon): pineapple juice, lime juice, orgeat, coco tare, orange flower water

The last time I was there was in 2018. Colin and I had planned to observe the Super Blue Blood Moon Eclipse from the Urania Observatory, and after hockey training, we made our way to Zurich for this purpose. This was our view on the way to the entrance — you can just make out the moon, partly hidden by clouds.

As we approached the elevator, I heard someone talking about fire hazards and regulations. Not a good sign.

“Are you here for the lunar eclipse?” a lady asked.

“Sure are.”

“You got tickets?”

Wait — were we supposed to have them? I had checked the website but hadn’t seen a pre-sale link anywhere.

“We’re fully booked, I’m sorry. There are only so many people we’re allowed to host.”

(Insert silent swear words.)

As 10-year-old Colin and I walked away, I was ready to apologize. But my sweet son said, “It’s OK, Mommy. Let’s go to that panorama bar on the 10th floor instead.”

Oh my goodness — proud parenting moment! He remembered the place from when I had taken him in spring 2016, He knows his way around shopping malls and bars! 

“May I even sit here?” he asked when we arrived and found two freshly vacated bar stools.

If you’re from the U.S., you know that minors typically aren’t allowed to sit at a bar — not even for lunch. (It happened to us in 2013 at Chicago’s Navy Pier — and yes, he remembered that too!)

But in Switzerland? Nobody batted an eye.

He ordered an Indian Summer and chatted with the bartender. “I noticed you organize your liquor alphabetically,” he said.

The guy was impressed. So was I.

Then again — I know this kid. He’s super smart.

I texted my husband to say we didn’t make it to the observatory, but were enjoying happy hour at Jules Verne’s instead.

“Does Colin even know who Jules Verne is?” he replied.

“I’m not sure, but I’d say he was a French author,” Colin said. How does he know these things?

“Actually, he was a character in a Donald Duck story,” he smirked. “He got knocked out and started panicking about monsters attacking him — but as he came to, he realized he’d created those monsters for his own novel.”

Aha.

Cheers — I created this genius!

P.S. This is the view from the 10th floor by day. Pretty cool, right?

So, I guess it’s safe to say: when it comes to bars, Zurich definitely qualifies as one of “Every European City.” Would you agree?