Something of an Old Town institution, La Clémence is a tiny bar with a reputation belying its size. Things really get moving in summer – its outdoor terrace (which itself is far from tiny) is one of the best spots for people-watching in Geneva. It takes on another life in winter, when the bar becomes more of a low-key hang-out, but equally enjoyable in many ways.

Appropriately tucked away down a side street in Geneva's arty district, this delightful little bar proves that the city does have a quirky side, if you're willing to hunt for it. Evoking the glamour and shadiness of a prohibition-era speakeasy, it specialises in cocktails served up by talented mixologists in vintage glassware and teapots.

Located on the top floor of a building on the chic Rue du Rhône, this slick bar sports a terrace with one of the best views in Geneva. Regular DJs and live music, a menu featuring everything from burgers to sushi, and an extensive drinks list are quickly making this the place to be seen.

A respected live music outlet in Carouge specialising in soul singers, jazz musicians and much more besides, Au Chat Noir is a bar and cellar venue that draws an appreciative crowd to around three live shows a week. DJs, regular jam sessions and open mic comedy nights are also part of the mix.

Found in Geneva's rather shady Pâquis district, this cabaret and burlesque nightspot has been entertaining night-owls since 1887. Extending over three floors and decked out in plush red fabrics and Baroque-style furniture, it comprises a restaurant where you can dine while watching a cabaret show, a 1930s cafe presenting comedy and music, and a basement nightclub featuring a nightly burlesque performance, followed by DJs until 0500.

Weetamix was Geneva's first proper dance club and remains one of the most popular with local techno heads. Being slightly out of town, it is not the most conveniently located club, but it's worth making the schlep over. The venue regularly brings in well-known DJs and producers from beyond Switzerland, making it one of the most cutting-edge dance venues in town. It also has a reputation for being gay-friendly.

Geneva’s big-name venue, conveniently located near the airport, is large enough to accommodate super-sized rock operas, international pop stars and commercial spectacles – think James Blunt, Riverdance and Cirque du Soleil. If you’re seriously interested in attending a high-profile concert while you’re in town, it’s best to start planning early.

A former gold refinery, it seems a rather pleasing twist that this listed building is now an alternative arts venue given over to bands unlikely to consider wealth their premier concern. With a number of different performance spaces, L’Usine is somewhere you might catch anything from experimental dance and arthouse cinema to electro, punk-rock and reggae music from local unsigned bands.

Founded in 1913, La Comédie de Genève was the city's first theatre dedicated to dramatic art. Under the lead of Artistic Directors Natacha Koutchoumov and Denis Maillefer, its 317-seat main hall and two studio spaces serve up a classical and contemporary repertoire, which is not always light-hearted, despite its name. Shows staged are predominantly by Swiss-French playwrights, with occasional visits from high-profile European directors including Peter Brook and Romeo Castellucci. Its dramatic performances are complemented by lectures and workshops.

The Grand Théâtre de Genève, designed in the style of the Second Empire, was directly inspired by the Paris Opera House. Today, the 1,500-seat theatre is a major player on the world operatic stage, presenting a season of productions as well as recitals by esteemed international guests. Dance fans should visit during Le Ballet du Grand Théâtre de Genève season; the group have been residents here since 1962 and perform a classic and contemporary ballet repertoire regularly.

The former casino in the Grand Hotel Kempinski, on Lake Geneva's upmarket right bank, is now a commercial theatre presenting a diverse programme of concerts, ballet, opera and comedy that spans the cultural divide from France's former first lady Carla Bruni to the Chippendales.

Built between 1891 and 1894 by the then British Consul in tribute to England’s Queen Victoria, Geneva’s Victoria Hall was designed by local architect John Camoletti in the French 'Beaux-Arts' style. Its elaborate interior, liberally covered in gold leaf, is worth a visit alone. Its programme of classical music concerts includes regular visits from the world-renowned Orchestre de la Suisse Romande, the Geneva Chamber Music Orchestra and various other local and international orchestras and performers. It also hosts occasional jazz and song concerts.