Bars

In the oldest area of Ghent, ‘t Patershol’, lies a well-hidden bar in a medieval cellar. But don’t get me wrong, this place doesn’t look antique or old fashioned at all. At White Cat you can chill out in their fancy sofas and dance your ass away. Although for me, the first one isn’t an option since the music just sweeps me up!

They play a wide variety of music, from hip hop over boogie to soul and funk, or a mix of all of them. On Wednesdays Fonkee Monk jams his ass away while playing funky music. Mixing numbers of legends like Michael Jackson, Steve Wonder and Prince, this guy knows how to make women dance!

In addition, I believe they serve the best mojitos in town. In general they just serve splendid cocktails! For people who smoke, they created a special area where you can smoke without being locked out of the room. And if you become a true fan of this place, or you just love cats, you can buy the ‘white cat – lamp’ to pimp up your own house.

Finally some good advice. Don’t head on to this place too early in the evening as people seem to arrive a bit later, around midnight. Also be a bit quiet when you enter the street. There is a strict policy of silence in the street itself, since there were some problems with neighbors in the past. But inside you can rock this place as much as you want!

Hanging around in the Mosquito Coast always feels like traveling at the same time. Not just the decorating, but the whole atmosphere breathes: I am not at home! In Hoogpoort you will find this bare necessity of mine. 

Mosquito has two floors and two terraces for that matter. A lot of room to let people eat, yes, but do not be fooled. It can get quite busy and reservations are a must sometimes. But for a cheap glass of white wine in the afternoon sun I am sure you will be able to pick a spot. The Connection store has disappeared, instead there is a big safari saloon, lounge room instead with a big fake zebra on the wall.

Next to a lot of drinks, from cocktails, beers and coffees to absinth, there is a very good kitchen that I urge you to try. They have small plates like a modest croque monsieur, but also real delicacies like kangaroo or ostrich steak!

Talking about that kangaroo or ostrich, some people are offended when I say mmm that is delicious, but put a piece of meat in their mouth and see what happens . My last dinner guest was like WOW, oh my god! That’s soooo good!

In times of crisis grabbing a little concert isn’t always too kind to our wallet. Well, in Café Video they organize free gigs each week! The music-genre is mostly rather alternative. The owners of the place have a good eye for both national and international upcoming talent. Last Autumn even Jake Bugg performed. For free, yes!

An important detail, the music installation is also of very good quality, something rather rare in a bar. To be disappointed after spending an evening over here seems quite unlikely to me. On Fridays and Saturdays bands make room for DJs. 

The interior is cozy and pretty fancy with a colorful enlightened wall. The music isn’t too loud, so a normal chat during concerts is still possible. Concerts start at 21:30. Arriving on time is recommendable. Definitely a good place to discover new artists!

You will recognize the place by its blue panted facade!

I discovered Paard van Troje (Trojan Horse) a while ago. It used to be situated two streets away from their current location, the Kouter. With several prices on its record for being one of the better bookstores in Belgium and even in the Low Lands, this bookstore is worth an article.

Don’t expect to find the regular kind of books that you can find in every other bookstore over here. Books on how to become a masterchef, a pro in gardening or a queen in sewing, yes they do have them over here. But they rather have the kind of books with a twist. Also a lot of them have remarkable covers. I need to force myself not to flip through the pages of every single novel! Good to know: they have a selection of books in English.

Bought an example and can’t wait to start reading? This store has a bar as well, with a terrace. Order a sandwich or some pastry (from Les tartes de Françoise!) and enjoy a lazy afternoon. 

For a bit of a jazz fanatic the name of this bar immediately rings a bell. Yes ‘Minor Swing’ a famous piece of Django Reinhardt, an important Belgian jazz artist who made fame during the second world war. Well I’ll admit, I didn’t know. Luckily Mr. YouTube was there to the rescue! And what a piece!

Honestly, I’ve only been here a few times. But every time I went the atmosphere was really nice. The café is quite small sized, cozy with candles and there’s a piano. Mostly, concerts take place on Sunday. But the best way to find out, is checking their Facebook page.

There’s quite an extensive offer of wine. The one I tried last time was really nice, so there’s no need to be afraid of drinking a Château Migraine over here! Whilst bicycling in the evening near the Ottogracht, you can hardly miss this bar. Mostly there will be some people smoking outside.

And from the moment spring makes its entrance, you can take place on the terrace, just near the street. Writing this article I convinced my self to go here a bit more often! I hope I have persuaded you too!