Lake Thun Blog
Behind the Captain's Bar: Roger Weischede takes us into his world
Published on
February 26, 2026
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Who is Roger when he doesn't have a shaker in his hand?
When Roger isn't introducing himself as the head bartender, he describes himself as what grounds him most: a family man with two young daughters. Cooking and drinks are still part of his everyday life, and when he has some extra time, he can be found on his motorcycle.
What captivated him about the bar world
When asked what originally fascinated Roger about the bar, he mentions four words that act as a compass: passion, enthusiasm, professionalism, and team spirit. An important starting point was his trainer, then Chef de Bar at the Park Hotel Vitznau, who introduced him to the bar. Today, what particularly inspires him about his profession is how boundless the field has become: there are endless combinations and a community that has grown closer through social media and inspires each other with new ideas.
The calling of a bartender – tailwind instead of reservations
When Roger told his parents that he wanted to become a bartender, they didn't object. Both of his parents were self-employed restaurateurs, so they understood his decision from the outset. On the job, he learned how resilient he can be, but also where his limits lie. In stressful moments, meditation helps him to calm down and find his center.
"At first, guests hardly notice it, but the invisible key to a successful working day is when the teamwork has gone really well," says Roger. It's a give and take between the bar and the guests: when guests notice that someone is passionate about their job, they automatically get caught up in the atmosphere.
Roger's Signature Drink - Crazy Pear
New drinks often come about because a new product appears or because something is unavailable and creativity is needed. However, the best inspiration of all is when guests say, "Surprise me."
However, Roger's signature drink was no accident. It was created with an ambitious goal in mind: to prepare for the Swiss Cocktail Championship. The idea was to create a mocktail that combined the most important flavors: sweet, sour, salty, bitter, and with a subtle spiciness in the glass. The result was "Crazy Pear," for which Roger was honored with an award from the Swiss Bartenders Union.
Ingredients:
- 2.5 cl pear syrup
- 2 cl salted caramel syrup
- 3 cl lemon juice
- 3 cl Sanbitter
- 10 cl ginger beer
- 1 slice of ginger and pear (garnish)
Preparation:
- Chill the highball glass (if possible) and pour off the melted water.
- Fill the glass to the top with ice.
- Add the pear syrup, salted caramel syrup, and lemon juice and stir briefly.
- Slowly pour the Sanbitter past the ice into the glass.
- Top up with ginger beer and stir gently 1–2 times (this keeps the carbonation alive).
- Garnish with ginger and pear slices.
Cocktail variation:
If you want to enjoy the mocktail as a cocktail, add 0.5 cl of each of the remaining ingredients and 4 cl of white rum.
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The Captain's Bar
A place high above Spiez Bay that combines architecture and views in such a way that you automatically slow down: the Captain's Bar at the Belvédère Strandhotel. The interior is modeled on a ship, with teak flooring, lovely details, and a bow-shaped terrace that offers views of the lake. Once you sit outside and take in the view, you immediately understand why this place feels like a vacation—even if it's "just" a quick getaway after work.
The panorama remains close by indoors too: the large windows bring Lake Thun, Spiez Bay, and the mountain backdrop right to your table, even on cooler days. In the afternoon, the Captain's Bar is just as suitable for coffee and cake as it is for a relaxed aperitif, and when evening comes, the atmosphere becomes a little ritual: arrive, take a seat, lean back. Accompanied by a drink that tingles, surprises, or is just right—alcohol-free options are also available.
Whether it's after-work drinks in style, a date at sunset, a spontaneous "let's have a quick drink" moment, or an evening that goes on longer than planned: Captain's Bar is made for these moments. A view across the lake and the feeling of "let's stay a while longer."
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