Bar 45
Aussersihl, Zürich
Restaurant in Zürich, Switzerland
Book with PearlThe Read
Dress
Smart Casual
Why go
Bar 45 is a practical Zürich pick when wine and a central Bahnhofstrasse location matter more than a defined restaurant format. Star Wine List recognition gives it a credible reason to choose it over a generic nearby drink, but diners looking for a full meal should compare Carlton or La Bottega di Mario instead.
About Bar 45
Bar 45 is a Zürich option for readers who want a stop with clear practical details rather than a page built around menu claims. With daily hours and a smart-casual dress code, it makes sense for plans that need a clear time window and a setting that is not framed around a defined cuisine, chef-led menu, or tasting format.
The notable accolade is its Star Wine List recognition in 2026. That gives Bar 45 a clear point of distinction without leaning on menu details, prices, seating, or service style. The practical read: choose this when the hours, Zürich location, smart-casual dress code, and recognition fit the plan; choose another venue if you need more specific meal details before deciding.
A Zürich stop for plans that need flexibility
Bar 45 works for the explorer who wants context without over-specifying the experience. Its schedule gives it useful range across the week: Monday 8 AM–8 PM; Tuesday and Wednesday 8 AM–9 PM; Thursday 8 AM–10 PM; Friday 8 AM–9 PM; Saturday 9 AM–9 PM; and Sunday 9 AM–7 PM. That makes it easier to consider for a daytime or evening stop than a venue with a narrow dinner-only window.
With no cuisine type or named dishes to anchor the choice, the safer recommendation is to keep expectations general rather than treating Bar 45 as a fully specified restaurant experience. If the group wants another option to compare, La Bottega di Mario is a useful cross-shop. If the plan calls for a different Zürich comparison, Carlton is another venue to consider rather than forcing Bar 45 into the wrong role.
Who should choose this over a restaurant booking
Choose Bar 45 when the decision is about Zürich location, opening hours, smart-casual dress, and Star Wine List recognition. It is less useful as a recommendation if you need specific dishes, a named chef, a stated cuisine, prices, or a documented menu format before arrival.
For a wider sweep of the city, use our full Zürich restaurants guide when the meal is the anchor, our full Zürich bars guide when drinks are the anchor, and our full Zürich hotels guide if the decision is tied to where to stay. Bar 45 earns its place in that mix through practical details and a notable accolade, rather than by competing as a fully specified restaurant experience.
Planning details
- Location
- Bahnhofstrasse 45, 8001 Zürich, Switzerland
- Website
- bar45.ch
The take
The Take
The Vibe
Bar 45 presents itself as a wine-first spot on Zürich’s Bahnhofstrasse, where a recognized cellar program defines the room. The White Star award signals a serious, curated approach to bottles — the kind of place where the list is a focal point rather than background noise. That wine emphasis shapes a refined, measured atmosphere: more composed than rowdy, attentive to provenance and by-the-glass quality. The layout skews bar-forward, so the experience feels direct and focused on tasting, pairing and conversation, giving the venue a sophisticated, quietly elegant character rather than a purely social-club energy.
Best For
This is primarily a destination for people who come to engage with wine: after-work colleagues stopping in for a thoughtful glass, visitors and locals who want to explore Swiss and international bottles, and anyone treating the list as the evening’s main event. Because the program is positioned as something to be read and studied, the bar suits solo exploration and small groups that plan to linger over vintages. It also functions well as a refined casual-hangout where the quality of wine, not loud ambience, drives the visit.
Ordering Tips
Treat the wine list as the starting point: staff expect guests to take time with the selection, and the by-the-glass program is singled out as high quality. Ask for recommendations focused on Swiss regional bottles — Pinot Noir and Chasselas are called out as local reference points — or request guidance for international pairings. On the food side, the venue highlights small plates that support the wine program; try signature items such as the polpette or Iberico ham to match with lighter reds or textured whites. Expect curated pours and sommelier-led suggestions rather than generic house pours.
Venue details
Ambiance
High-ceilinged interior with marble walls, stylish and classy decor, lively with business crowds and shoppers.
Tags
Vibe
Best For
Experience
View
At the Table
- Dress Code
- Smart Casual
- Noise Level
- Conversational
- Service Style
- Casual
- Meal Pacing
- Standard
- Capacity
- Medium
- Kitchen
- Modern
- Menu Format
- Small plates, A la carte
- Wine Program
- Curated
- Drinks Focus
- Cavas, Sherries
- Outdoor Seating
- Yes
Signature Dishes
- polpette
- iberico ham
Know before you go
Know Before You Go
- Getting there
- Bahnhofstrasse 45, 8001 Zürich, Switzerland
Planning details
Location
Bahnhofstrasse 45, 8001 Zürich, Switzerland · Directions
Recognition and awards
Also consider
Where to go if this is not the right fit
If the group wants dinner, book La Bottega di Mario for Italian at €€ or Carlton for Classic Cuisine at €€€. If the goal is a casual bite rather than wine, The Bagel Shop is the more practical alternative.
Restaurant context
How Bar 45 compares in Zürich
Choose Bar 45 when wine is the point and the plan needs to stay flexible. Against Carlton, it reads less like a classic restaurant choice and more like a central wine stop; Carlton is the better pick when the group wants Classic Cuisine, a fuller meal structure, and a higher-spend restaurant setting.
La Bottega di Mario is the smarter value cross-shop for Italian food at €€, especially if the table wants dinner rather than drinks. Bar 45 has the stronger wine-bar signal, while La Bottega di Mario gives clearer cuisine expectations before booking.
Carlton Restaurant & Bar and Bärengasse make more sense when ambiance and a fuller restaurant-bar evening matter. The Bagel Shop sits in a different use case entirely: casual, food-first, and better for a quick daytime bite than a wine-led stop.
Around this place
Discover more on Pearl
Unlock the full Bar 45 guide in Pearl, including awards, comparisons, FAQs, planning details, and nearby places.
Compare Bar 45
| Venue | Location | Cuisine | Awards | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bar 45 | Zürich | , | Star Wine Lists 20262026 Falstaff Bar Guide | , |
| Carlton | Zürich | Classic Cuisine | No published awards | €€€ |
| Carlton Restaurant & Bar | Zürich | No published awards | , | , |
| Bärengasse | Zürich | No published awards | , | , |
| La Bottega di Mario | Zürich | Italian | 2025 Michelin Bib Gourmand2024 Michelin Bib Gourmand | €€ |
| The Bagel Shop | Zürich | No published awards | , | , |
How Bar 45 Zürich compares with similar nearby venues.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
How far ahead should I book Bar 45?
For booking timing, contact the venue directly if timing matters. The hours are Monday 8 AM–8 PM; Tuesday and Wednesday 8 AM–9 PM; Thursday 8 AM–10 PM; Friday 8 AM–9 PM; Saturday 9 AM–9 PM; and Sunday 9 AM–7 PM.
What are alternatives to Bar 45 in Zürich?
Carlton, Carlton Restaurant & Bar, Bärengasse, La Bottega di Mario, and The Bagel Shop are useful comparisons depending on the type of stop you want. Bar 45 is the cleaner pick when the priority is its Zürich location, hours, smart-casual dress code, and Star Wine List recognition.
What should I order at Bar 45?
The Star Wine List (2026) recognition is the clearest cue, but exact bottle selections, food options, and menu format should be checked with the venue.
Does Bar 45 handle dietary restrictions?
For dietary or allergy requirements, contact Bar 45 directly before visiting or ask the venue before ordering.
Is lunch or dinner better at Bar 45?
Bar 45 is open from 8 AM on weekdays, 9 AM on weekends, and closes between 7 PM and 10 PM depending on the day, so choose the time that best fits your schedule and confirm any meal expectations directly with the venue.
Is Bar 45 good for a special occasion?
It can fit an occasion if the details match your plan: Zürich location, smart-casual dress code, broad opening hours, and Star Wine List recognition in 2026. For a plan that needs more meal detail, compare it with another option such as Carlton Restaurant & Bar.
