How the closure of an Olten venue reflects a wider demise of Swiss clubbing

The Terminus club in Olten is closing. It is a symptom of an industry in crisis, as young people in Switzerland increasingly avoid discos and nightclubs. Loud music, dancing crowds and drinks at the bar: people still party at Terminus in Olten, canton Solothurn. But the club will soon close. Despite a loyal fan base of over-40-year-olds, the last party will take place at Easter. After 31 years, it’s over. The problem: young people are missing. Instead of going to the disco, many prefer to spend weekends at home or in the gym. Those who party in clubs today are no longer 20, but closer to 50. For many, Terminus is part of life. “This is my living room. I’ve been coming here every two to three months for 25 years – more often in the past,” says Andrea Hochuli. Hanspeter Zeller adds: “I’ve spent a lot of time here and got to know many good people.” But today, Terminus has only a third of the visitors it once had. Event as a photo backdrop The decline in visitors is reflected in the ...