The Campari Bar is a cocktail spot that forms part of the Kunsthalle, boasting a lovely garden with large orchid plants. The cocktail list is far from standard – drinks include the Romeo & Juliet, which uses gin and Earl Grey tea, and the tequila-based Yakima Sling. The terrace makes it particularly popular in summer. Light bites are also available.

This popular riverside bar is more than a mere watering hole and hosts art events, movie nights and book readings into the early hours of the morning. DJ nights and live music are both part of the offering too, with jazz concerts a common staple.

This classic beer hall is a great place to meet locals and enjoy a pint, with a choice of sixteen different beers available – many of them Swiss. It's a traditional venue with an inclusive atmosphere. There's a decent wine list too, and a good restaurant on the first floor.

The restaurant, concert venue and club Atlantis is a Basel institution, famed for its variety of house, R & B, soul and oldies. The club hosts semi-regular special events, with live performances from rock and blues musicians.

The highest party venue in Basel morphs from cocktail bar to nightclub with regular DJ nights. It's located 105 metres above ground on the 31st floor of the Ramada Plaza hotel and gives sweeping views across the city, hence its "Top Of Switzerland" tagline.

If you're after a nightclub that fits the usual city template – chilled vodka, loud dance music, togged-up partygoers – this is a good bet. Expect R'n'B, dancehall, hip hop and occasional special guests. American rappers The Game and Redman have both made recent appearances.

The music hall in the Basel City Casino is the musical heart of the city. This is where the Basel Symphony Orchestra performs. The hall can seat over 1,500 people, and the acoustics are among the best in the world. There are three more halls available in the casino for chamber music concerts, presentations, exhibitions, conferences and traditional company events. Please note that the music hall has been transformed into an archaeological site and will be closed at least until the end of 2017.

The Bird's Eye Jazz Club counts among Switzerland's best jazz clubs with live shows performed by young talents as well as international stars. A more temporary seasonal stage is a raft moored on the Rhine, used for concerts in summer when the riverbanks are lined with people.

The indoor St Jakobshalle is used for big pop and rock concerts, as well as sporting events and other shows. The roster of different musical acts to appear here is nothing if not broad – recent schedules have welcomed everyone from Bee Gee brother Robin Gibb to indie-rockers The xx.