Where do locals actually go for aperitivo in Zurich?

Zurich's aperitivo culture clusters around Langstrasse and the Kreis 4 and 5 neighborhoods, where the crowd skews local rather than tourist. Barfüsser on Spitalgasse draws a reliable after-work crowd, and the bars along Langstrasse itself — particularly around the Helvetiaplatz end — fill up from around 18:00 onward with people doing exactly what you're describing: a Spritz or a Negroni and something small to eat before committing to dinner. Josef, the restaurant on Gasometerstrasse, has a strong bar scene earlier in the evening. Rimini, the small beach bar on the Limmat near Oberer Letten, runs through summer and is genuinely popular with Zurichers rather than visitors. Prices are what you'd expect from Switzerland: CHF 14-18 for a cocktail is normal, so the ritual looks like aperitivo but costs more than Milan. Go Tuesday through Thursday if you want the crowd without the weekend noise.

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