Basel Social Club Returns with Nightclub, Sauna, and Art in Former UBS Building

The Basel Social Club, a free-wheeling alternative to the traditional art fair, has opened its fifth edition in a former UBS office building designed by Diener & Diener near Basel SBB railway station. Running from 4 p.m. to 3 a.m. daily through Saturday, the event transforms the space into a multifarious venue featuring art from international dealers, a nightclub in the underground garage, a fitness center with sauna and cold plunge, private dining by Michelin-starred chef Pascal Steffen, spray tans, live tooth-gem applications, and a game show where a participant can win an Andy Warhol. Performances include Jade Kuriki-Olivo (Puppies Puppies), Ernestyna Orlowska (who dismantles a MacBook to Boléro), and a concert by Robin S., whose 1993 hit "Show Me Love" reached number five on the Billboard Hot 100. The I Never Read, Art Book Fair Basel is also housed in the building. Cofounders Yael Salamunovitz and Robbie Fitzpatrick emphasized the event's night-time focus and its ability to keep costs low for exhibitors through grants and free venue access. Senior citizens from the Seniors at Work program serve as docents, adding a commentary on aging. The building is larger than last year's bank venue, allowing for greater capacity.