In My Hood: Out and About in the Industrial District, Zurich

Zurich's electronic music scene began to pick up steam in the early '90s. Back then, it was still more of an underground thing, but there were already massive raves. The first Street Parade took place in 1992 – and today it attracts up to a million techno fans every summer to the shores of Lake Zurich. In the 2000s, the scene began looking to Berlin for inspiration – to legendary clubs like Bar 25 and, later, Kater Holzig.

I personally didn't get into electronic music until the late '90s – as a DJ and producer. I was part of two major clubs in Zurich: I was a resident DJ at Dachkantine, which used to be the hippie hub of nightlife, and cofounded the club Zukunft. Sadly, we had to close Zukunft in the spring of 2025 due to building renovations. But we gave it a proper send-off – 33 nights with 333 artists!

Zurich's Industrial District: A Railway Bridge Turned Shopping Mile

As a DJ – my signature sound is a kind of rumbling, raw house – I travel the world from Lisbon to New York. Still, coming home is incredibly important for me so I can process all the chaos out there in the world.

When I'm in Zurich, I spend a lot of time in District 5 – the Industrial District – a part of town full of big-city vibes that's perfect for shopping and partying. To get ready, I recommend taking a morning dip at Oberer Letten, a river pool, because the lawn gets as packed as Copacabana later in the day.

Buildings like the Zentralwäscherei, now a cultural center, add to the gritty charm of the neighborhood. One of the coolest spots is the Viadukt, a railway bridge that's been transformed into a space with shops and cultural venues tucked into its arches. My favorite places there? The Südhang Austernbar, which probably has the freshest oysters in town, best paired with a glass of natural wine or champagne. The Westflügel bookstore, by Echtzeit Verlag, carries a sharp selection of titles – mostly by Swiss authors – plus stylish homeware and ceramics. And right there in the Viadukt arches is also Bogen F, a very cool concert venue, especially for indie bands.

Dancing and Vinyl Hunting on Geroldstrasse

For families with kids or anyone who just wants a quick escape into some greenery, I highly recommend the Josefwiese – a beautiful city park right by the Viadukt. At the far end, you'll find the perfect contrast to the peaceful park: Hive Club, a real institution in Zurich's club scene. Just next door, night owls can head to Club Supermarket – another top spot for dancing. Looking for vinyl for your home setup? Check out Format: they've got records, books, and some great natural wine on tap. If indie rock is more your vibe, Helsinki Klub is the place to be – and just a few minutes' walk away.

And if all the shopping or partying leaves you hungry, I recommend Restaurant Rosso, housed in a former industrial loft. The food is classic Italian – always with a little twist.

About

Born and raised in Zurich, Kalabrese might have become a jazz musician – if his mother had had her way. Instead, he discovered electronic music and went on to shape the city's nightlife as a producer, resident DJ at the legendary Dachkantine, and cofounder of the iconic club Zukunft.