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All Switzerland Zurich Oepfelchammer
Gastro Obscura

Oepfelchammer

A 200-year-old tavern challenges guests to finish a glass of wine while hanging from a ceiling beam.

Zurich, Switzerland

Added By
ThomasSchneider62
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The exterior at night.   ThomasSchneider62 / Atlas Obscura User
  Collector of Experiences / Atlas Obscura User
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Oepfelchammer.   ctngracie
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Oepfelchammer.   swissnuggets
Oepfelchammer.   dirk.blasius
Oepfelchammer.   johnpaoli
Oepfelchammer.   galliproof
The such called Oeli - the part of Oepfelchammer where the famous drinking ritual takes place.   ThomasSchneider62 / Atlas Obscura User
The building of Oepfelchammer from outside.   ThomasSchneider62 / Atlas Obscura User
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Building of Oepfelchammer at night   ThomasSchneider62 / Atlas Obscura User
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About

In northern Switzerland, the city of Zurich operates as a global financial center. But its Old Town (also known as the Altstadt), showcases the quieter, historic side of the city. Nestled the heart of the Altstadt, in a building originally constructed as a residence for nobles more than 650 years ago, sits Oepfelchammer. The tavern is known for its long history and, more recently, its unique drinking ritual.

The building earned its name after its stint as a convent's apple storage unit. In the 17th century, the property became a bakery, and it was a baker who first got permission to start serving drinks in 1801. Today, the restaurant serves Swiss fare and fine wine. After 6:00 p.m., visitors to the tavern are only permitted to drink water, grape juice, or wine. But most importantly, and much more idiosyncratically, Oepfelchammer hosts a drinking ritual known as balkenprobe, or beam challenge.

To attempt the challenge, participants scramble and kick their way up onto a ceiling beam. Then, they crawl over to the adjacent rafter and hang upside-down. A waiter brings over a glass of white wine and the inverted guest then attempts to down the entire glass without spilling it. (You can watch someone successfully complete the mission on YouTube.)

Should they succeed, the winner adds their name to the collection of carvings on the wall. Anyone who initially fails is entitled to two more attempts. Regardless of the outcome, all who brave Oepfelchammer's balkenprobe are entitled to a wholly unique kind of hangover.

Related Tags

Bars Alcohol Wine Rites And Rituals Unique Restaurants & Bars Tradition

Know Before You Go

Note that the tavern is closed on Sunday and Monday.

Community Contributors

Added By

ThomasSchneider62

Edited By

rachelrummel, Collector of Experiences

  • rachelrummel
  • Collector of Experiences

Published

April 26, 2019

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Sources
  • http://www.oepfelchammer.ch/wp-content/uploads/2016/09/Reglement.pdf
  • https://blog.schweizstrom.de/2016/04/12/heimatort-oepfelchammer-in-zuerich/
  • https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WfVZZcAj-fg
Oepfelchammer
12 Rindermarkt
Zurich, 8001
Switzerland
47.372333, 8.544599
Visit Website
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