With 60 exhibiting houses at this year’s Watches and Wonders fair, there is plenty to see within the 810,000 square feet of the Palexpo exhibition center. And there’s even more to discover in the city, thanks to a vibrant scene filled with gastronomic delights, feats of mixology and art-filled happenings.
Where to Eat
21 Club Geneva
Rue Henri-Blanvalet 11, 1207 Geneva
With its name nodding to a Prohibition-era New York hotspot, 21 Club Geneva is all about giving the 21st century its own Roaring ’20s. A combination of a restaurant, cocktail bar and club, it boasts the cosmopolitan flavors of chef Cyrille Azevedo’s French and Portuguese heritage such as a trout hot dog and combawa combo — and a speakeasy for a happy few.
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Ottolenghi Geneva
Mandarin Oriental, Quai Turrettini 1, 1201 Geneva
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Grilling and fermentation take center stage at Ottolenghi Geneva, the first overseas address of London-based chef Yotam Ottolenghi. Helmed by Maxime Martin, it fuses Mediterranean flavors with produce sourced from local Swiss farmers and growers. Expect a “root to tip” approach throughout, signatures from London’s Rovi such as celeriac shawarma. There are also dishes unique to the Swiss address including langos flatbread served with black garlic butter, sour cream and locally sourced Chällerhocker cheese; and chicken grilled in a specially designed clay oven, paired with coconut milk and tomatillo peanut salad.
Where to Drink
Bar 37
The Woodward, Quai Wilson 37, 1201 Geneva
Opened last summer inside the tony The Woodward Hotel, Bar 37 is a sophisticated new addition to Geneva’s all-day gathering spots, perfect to indulge in an exceptional mixology experience, curated by Maxwell Britten, and top-notch, Michelin-starred bar bites, from breakfast till the after-hours. Inspired by its New York City sister bar, Bar Bastion, the space was designed by French interior designer Pierre-Yves Rochon who added a dark-green marble bar counter framed by a multicolor stained-glass wall, opulent velvet furnishings, Chinese-inspired red lacquer cabinets and a 1920 Steinway piano. Regularly animated by live jazz and piano performances, Bar 37 overlooks Lake Geneva, turning it into a peaceful retreat for after-fair cocktail and chill time.
Le Verre à Monique
Rue des Savoises 19, 1205 Geneva
With a long list of signature cocktails and the fascination of its interiors, Le Verre à Monique is somewhat a hidden gem in Geneva. Nestled in the city’s Quartier des Bains neighborhood, the cocktail bar’s interiors, inspired by Prohibition-era speakeasies — a blend of mismatched antique chairs, dimly lit chandeliers and vintage glasses — transports guests to a bygone era. Priding itself as a champion of artisanal, haute mixology, this spot offers an expansive cocktail menu. Whether you opt for a reinvented classic, a signature cocktail, or off-menu creations, expect bold drinks defined by unexpected ingredients. Not to miss are its gourmand options, including the white chocolate and sea salt margarita, the cherry amaretto sour and the gingerbread old fashioned.
Where to Stay
Hotel Longemalle
Pl. de Longemalle 13, 1204 Geneva
Situated in the heart of Geneva’s old town, Hotel Longemalle is a family-owned, boutique-style operation neighboring top-tier watch brands including Vacheron Constantin, Richard Mille and Jacob & Co. A stone’s throw away from the English garden and the lake, the hotel offers buffet breakfast, concierge services and has Lebanese restaurant Balila serving classics with a European twist.
Ultima Quai Wilson Geneva
Quai Wilson 33, 1201 Geneva
A great, new option for those looking for absolute privacy, Ultima Quai Wilson Geneva, part of The Set Collection, opened last summer with five full-floor apartments with bespoke services, a Swiss spa, and a stunning view overlooking the lake. Sitting right next to the local hospitality establishment The Woodward, one can take advantage of the nearby F&B offering like Geneva’s only two Michelin-star restaurant L’Atelier Robuchon, and cheese fondue specialist Auberge de Savièse.
Hôtel Marmont
Rue du Prince 5, 1204 Geneva
A hidden gem located at the heart of Geneva, Hôtel Marmont is a few minutes walk from the shores of Lake Geneva and is surrounded by upscale shops and landmarks such as the headquarters of the United Nations. The rooms are designed with a mix of modern and vintage elements, some with striking tiger murals.
What to See
‘The Returning Image’
Musée Rath, Place Neuve 2, 1204 Geneva
Presented by the “la Caixa” Foundation, it features works by 18 artists including Mike Kelley, Vanessa Beecroft, Cindy Sherman, Julian Schnabel, Antonio Saura and Sherrie Levine exploring contemporary art through the prism of the past. Inspired by the world of Marcel Duchamp, the exhibition, running till April 13, explores how artists confront art history and tradition: through homage, quotation, parody or opposition.
‘La Genevoise’
Musée d’Art et d’Histoire, Rue Charles-Galland 2, 1206 Geneva
Running until June 22, Musée d’Art et d’Histoire looks at the city’s 15,000 years of history through the lens of Geneva-born American artist Carol Bove. In this exhibition, she blends ancient artifacts, masterpieces and everyday objects, blurring the line between art and daily life for this interactive and educational exhibition. She harnessed the power of 3D printing to create replicas of artifacts bearing the marks of those who once handled them for the public to feel and touch history.
‘Area_51,’ an ‘Alien Wristwear’ Exhibition and Live Auction
La Salle Trocmé, Rue du Jura 2, 1201 Geneva
Coinciding with Watches & Wonders, Sotheby’s is partnering with creative watch collective Heist-out for an exhibition and live auction of alien-like wristwear under the name “Area_51.” From April 1, the three-day event, named after the classified U.S. military location in the Nevada desert, will be hosted at the site of what appears to be a crash-landed UFO in Geneva with rare, otherworldly styles from Rolex, Patek Philippe, Audemars Piguet, Gérald Genta, Furlan Marri and Toledano & Chan.
Watches and Wonders in the City
As is tradition, there’s plenty to do in town for watch lovers throughout the week. On Thursday, Geneva turns into a city-sized street Watches and Wonders party. Expect street food trucks and refreshments along the Quai des Bergues, cocktails at watchmakers’ downtown boutiques and open-air musical animations on the Quai Général-Guisan. Don’t forget to head to the main stage at 8:30 p.m. for the concert of French electronic duo Bon Entendeur.