If you’re male and are looking for the so-called ‘sins of the flesh’, Zurich offers what you would expect from a city of its size. Prostitution is legal in Switzerland, so you can find everything from strip bars and erotic massages to sex clubs and escort services in Zurich. While Zurich is far from being an alpine Amsterdam, it is an inviting place if you’re looking for carnal pleasures and naked girls in various states of undress.

Sex Clubs

Sex clubs are probably your best and are also your safest option if you’re searching for a sexual encounter. These clubs often have a bar area where you can have a drink and even eat while you meet potential ‘dates.’ If you agree on a particular service and specific terms with the lady of your choice, you can head over to a private room and the rest is up to you. These clubs usually ask an admission fee and perhaps some additional money depending on the service you require. The ladies aren’t usually employed by the clubs and work as their own bosses. In fact, they also pay a fee to use the establishments.

In 2013 Zurich issued new regulations for sex clubs in an attempt to make this business safer for everyone. Permission is only granted if a business follows all of the strict security, health, social security and tax regulations imposed by the city, doesn't put any undue pressure on the sex workers, ensures their health and guarantees violence prevention. At least once a year clubs are inspected to make sure that they’re operating according to these regulations. Sex clubs therefore offer quite a safe environment for both prostitutes and customers.

Erotic massages, strip clubs, escort services

Naturally, there are also plenty of erotic massage parlours. You will most probably not be offered any sexual intercourse at these places (beyond what is known in the trade as a happy ending), but there’s still much amusement to be had, from simple hand assistance to a full body massage from one or even two nubile, attractive young ladies or men, depending on your preference.

Street prostitution is also regulated, but is only permitted in a few areas and only at certain times such as at Häringstrasse in Niederdorf and in the district of Altstetten in the so-called sex boxes (Depotweg, access by car only). Street prostitutes need permission from the city to ply their trade and this is only granted if the person has a resident/work permit and valid health insurance. But for obvious reasons, street prostitution is harder to control than sex clubs and it's much more likely that the workers you’ll encounter have been coerced into working as prostitutes or, even worse, are victims of human trafficking.

Despite the closure of many such places over the past decade, there are also some strip clubs in the city, which are often called nightclubs or cabarets. They are located in the Niederdorf section of the old town or around Langstrasse, west of the main train station. You can expect rather expensive drinks and shows with half-naked ladies dancing around a pole until they’re entirely naked. The ladies will usually try to make you buy drinks for them as a reward for chatting with you. Some strip clubs offer table and private dances as well, sometimes only after you spend some minimum amount of money on drinks.

Finally, there are also many escort services in town. You’ll find numerous offers with a quick internet search.

Here then is a list of strip bars, erotic massage parlours and sex clubs. We believe these places to be upstanding businesses, but we still recommend employing simple common sense when delving into the world of adult entertainment. If in doubt, don't use your credit card but cash only.