Flon's old 19th-century warehouses have been transformed into beacons of hipster cool – luxurious hotel spas, cool bars juxtaposed with hot diners and chic boutiques
Two hours from Zurich, the Flon area was once a quarter of industrial dereliction on Lausanne’s Lake Geneva shoreline. These days, the warehouses are intriguing dining spots. These conversions have been augmented by attention-grabbing contemporary architecture.
1. Arsenic
With a name based on word play – pronounced as arts scéniques – Arsenic showcases experimental performing arts of all kinds. The daring venue serves up a bold programme of theatre, dance and music in a former red light area.
2. Mad Club
Spread over five levels (four dance floors, one restaurant) in a vast converted warehouse adorned with large-scale graffiti works, Mad Club is one of Switzerland’s most high-profile nightclubs, attracting star global DJs like David Guetta and Armand van Helden.
3. Maniak
Maniak Lausanne is a mix between an edgy fashion boutique and quirky costume shop, where hip Swiss Freitag bags and street-cool brands like Carhartt and Superdry jostle for space alongside ready-to-wear angel wings and customised leather jackets.
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4. Restaurant Nomade
This French restaurant provides Flon’s most romantic rendezvous. There is a formal dining area but many prefer enjoying intriguing tapas creations like Asian shrimp and pork meatballs in a seductive candlelit lounge space scattered with cushions.
5. Le Romandie
Music fans seeking the next cool act head for Le Romandie, which champions up-and-coming bands across a wide range of genres, from alternative and electro to metal. The club actively seeks new talent by requesting demos through its website.
6. King Size Pub
Tucked away inside the Pathé Flon cinema, King Size Pub is split into themed zones, complemented by a huge outdoor terrace. Customers can also enjoy the nightly Duelling Pianos – two pianists battling it out playing requests on baby grands!
7. Galerie Port Franc
Fans of the hit TV series Mad Men will love Galerie Port Franc for its eclectic – and reasonably priced – selection of 1950s and 60s antiques in excellent condition. Perhaps all that’s lacking is a retro bar selling classic cocktails.
– TEXT BY NORMAN MILLER
Please check the establishments’ respective websites for opening hours as well as booking and seating requirements before visiting, and remember to adhere to safe-distancing measures while out and about.
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PHOTOS: 123RF.COM, BAD HUNTER, GALERIE PORT FRANC, LE ROMANDIE, MANIAK, MAD CLUB, ARSENIC
This article was originally published by Singapore Press Holdings.
