Campari Bar: aperitif in the Kunsthalle garden
Under the chestnut trees in the Kunsthalle garden, a few steps from the Tinguely Fountain: the Campari Bar is the classic place for an aperitif before the theatre or a concert.
Photo: Thomas Decker, via Google Maps
Our verdict
The Campari Bar belongs to the Kunsthalle and is one of Basel's classic addresses for an aperitif. You sit under the chestnut trees in the garden, before or after the theatre, a concert at the Stadtcasino or an exhibition.
In the glass
There is Campari, of course, plus classic cocktails, long drinks, wines by the glass and beer. Small dishes come from the Restaurant Kunsthalle next door.
Location
The Kunsthalle is on Steinenberg, three minutes from Barfüsserplatz and right beside Theaterplatz with the Tinguely Fountain. Basel SBB station is ten minutes on foot.
Our advice
On warm evenings the garden is the best spot, so come before 6pm. It is closed on Sundays and Mondays.
Read next: Basel bars and nightlife: the Rhine, Kleinbasel and the best addresses and Eating in Basel: specialities, prices and where locals eat.
Sources: the establishment's website, Basel Tourismus, Google Maps (address, reviews, October 2026), timetables from transport.opendata.ch, walking times calculated on OpenStreetMap.
Frequently asked questions
Where is the Campari Bar in Basel?
When is the Campari Bar open?
Samuel Tschudin
Samuel spent eight years guiding groups through the Old Town, from Münsterplatz to the Rhine promenade. He builds his routes on foot, watch in hand, and cuts whatever does not fit into a real day. He would rather write that a visit is not worth the ticket than pad out a list.
