Music

One day you will tell your children you used to buy music in a shop. And when you describe this shop, ‘Fat Kat’ is your perfect prototype! This is one of the only remaining independent record shops in Antwerp, and I think the reason it still exists is love! Love for music.

The owner still carefully selects all the music (cd and vinyl, new and 2nd handed) that you can’t find in your average department store. That new underground sound you just discovered yesterday, you can probably find here today.

I also love the simplicity of the interior, the colourful postered walls and the easiness to find what you’re looking for. You might walk inside in a nostalgic mood and step back outside holding a little treasure you’ve been looking for ages!

This is one of the oldest -over a century old- bars in Antwerp. The old harbour used to be here, and every bar had its own organ for the sailor’s entertainment. And guess what? All the other bars have disappeared, but ‘Café Beveren’ still exists, including a magnificent 75-year old organ, called ‘De Cap’.

For those who have no idea what an organ exactly is; it’s a magical auto-instrument playing saxophone, drums, piano… all at the same time! True, that’s a really crappy description, so you should definitely go check it out yourself! And while you’re at it, order a simple beer (‘een pintje’ or even better: just raise your pinkie finger and the bartender will know what you mean) and enjoy the atmosphere.

The sailors are long gone, you should go about 2 kilometres up north for that, but this bar is still a magnet for people from every layer of society. So don’t be surprised if your camera shows pictures of you dancing with an 80-year old granny the night before. ‘De Cap’ does that to you, and maybe also the pinkie-ordered beers .

This old building has a rich history. It was built in 1934 as a gigantic cinema (seating over 2000 people) and variety theatre. It has seen all of Belgium’s artists and a whole range of international artists too. However, in 1982 it closed its doors and fell into decay.

In 2003 a group of enthusiastic neighbors started to renovate this amazing building in their spare time. In the beginning, there were only shows in the summer. It was a fun and strange experience enjoying a circus act in the middle of all the rubble. Nowadays, the revue is restored in its original, breathtaking stage.

Whenever I come here to see a show, it feels like I dive into the past, like any minute cancan girls will jump from behind the curtains, being cheered by a baron with a bowler hat and a monocle. In the hall there are fantastic vintage wall paintings and fun house mirrors, such a great laugh! Everybody who works there during the soirees is a volunteer, so be sure to give them a big smile for their efforts.

Check the calendar for shows: this can go from a theatre show over cinema and circus festivals, ballroom dancing nights (don’t be confused, you’ll have to do the dancing yourself!) and even a children’s flea market.

You could call ‘Vertigo’ a real ‘all-round’ bar: Here you can grab breakfast, read the newspaper, meet with friends, drink cocktails at the bar, eat a great burger and best of all: enjoy a free jazzy concert at night.

The bar has a dark, chic yet cozy interior. You almost feel like you’re in New York in the fifties. Take a seat in one of the comfortable chairs and enjoy the live music. I believe I once saw the reincarnation of Jacques Brel here.

Check their website for music events, but I don’t know if you’ll ever see Jacques again… That’s the magic of Vertigo!