In a city that is sometimes reluctant to reinvent itself, there’s a space trying to break the mould. You can’t just call it a bar. Nor can it neatly be defined as an exhibition, a spot for pétanque, a dancefloor or a pop-up shop. It blends together all of these elements onto one cultural palette. A hub that shows you the only limits to creativity are where you place them.
Continuum have had a loyal following for their events since 2023, but have newly been granted a licence by the city to operate as a bar and terrace. Second-hand furniture proudly hints at their venue’s past as a former décheterie, otherwise entirely transformed. It’s a sun-trap that brings vibrancy and warmth to the area of Sévelin, whilst retaining its industrial edge.
Regeneration is cemented into the walls and the ethos at the same time as building a stage for the new. There’s a focus on showcasing emerging artists and creators, whether that’s a DJ invited to play their first set, or supporting an artist who has never exhibited their work in public before. In the pop-up store, local designers and artisans are given their break. Continuum is a committed host for Lausanne and broader Swiss culture, of which there is an abundance, but perhaps not always the right platform to show it.
It might sound like to match these divergent artistic offerings, you need to show up with a bit of pretension. All-in-black Berlin style. On the contrary. Families are there with small children, delighted by the game area. There are cold beers on tap and a regular turnover of food and snacks. The crowd varies table by table, and then by the hour as the music starts to ramp up. Yes, there is a deliberate intention to unite people with interests, but mainly with each other.
“I am so inspired by the space. Each time I walk into it, I have a new idea,” one of the co-founders Benjamin Gmür told me.
I don’t think we’re seeing the final version of Continuum just yet.
Continuum
Open Thurs-Sat until October
Vanessa Tracey is also on Substack. You can read more of her writing here.
