Zurich Tip 1988

Zurich Tip English

The Party Team at the “Garage”

Ollie & James

Enriching Zurich’s nightlife: Ollie & James, who have now settled at the “Garage” in Altstetten.

Around Midnight 

Whenever the two party organizers call to dance, Zurich’s night owls swarm out. Ollie & James can host a party in the most run-down warehouse and be certain that the city’s clubbers will show up in full force. For years, the two 26-year-olds organized underground parties whose date and location were usually announced only a week in advance. 

“In the beginning, we still sent out invitations,” says James. “Over time, everything ran purely on word-of-mouth propaganda. For the last party, we distributed 30 tickets a few days beforehand. 500 people showed up, and the room only had space for 100.” 

For All Walks of Life

A few years ago, “Big Apple” at Baslerstrasse 80 was a popular New Wave club, which went downhill starting in 1986. On September 19, the disco closed its doors. A week later was the grand reopening: the venue was now called “(Tanz-)Garage,” and it was packed to the brim. Behind it were James & Ollie. 

James: “We just took out the chairs and tables to make the dance floor as big as possible. Dancing is the be-all and end-all in the ‘Garage,’ unlike other ‘in’ clubs where you feel like the bar is the center of attention. Exclusivity and elitist thinking aren’t bouncer James’s style: ‘Everyone should have the right to have fun. It has shown that a single scene—for example, the snobs—isn’t interesting enough. It’s best when all walks of life enjoy themselves.’” 

However, it’s recommended to arrive as soon as doors open (Fri and Sat, 10 PM), because during peak times no one else can be let in. On Saturdays, several hundred people have waited outside the entrance like this. Neighbors complained about the noise. 

With the “Garage,” the two have clearly tapped into a market gap—not as commercially oriented as “Roxy,” less alternative than the Rote Fabrik: a blend that seemingly suits many people. Instead of expensive light shows and costly decorations, the “Garage” puts the main focus on music. Oliver, considered by many to be Zurich’s best DJ, mixes House Music with Hip Hop, Club Music, N.Y. Underground, and old cult club classics. 

In 1983, he started at “Mascotte.” When “Roxy” opened, he worked there every night as a DJ for the first six weeks. James compiled the first membership lists and helped turn “Roxy” into what it later became: the “place to be”. Bouncer James and DJ Ollie then went independent and organized infamous underground parties at constantly changing locations. The most famous were the Baronenbälle (Barons’ Balls) and full moon parties, but New Year’s Eve 1985 at the Rote Fabrik is also remembered by many. 

James: “For the first two years, we only lost money because something was always breaking.” 

At the end of 1986, a permanent location finally seemed to have been found: Mühle Tiefenbrunnen. The giant parties at Miller’s Studio became such a massive success that people were still queuing outside weeks later. In the winter of 1987, the events co-organized by the Arena 225 dance school had to be discontinued. Reason: issues with neighbors, police, and traffic. 

In March, the “Garage” (Fri and Sat, until 5 AM) will be demolished. There’s no question that the two co-owners of Café “Regenbogen,” Ollie & James, will come back with something new. 

Arnold Meyer