Bar Players in the Poelestraat actually belongs in the list of places you must visit in the city. A café where you feel welcome and where there is always a party. We can say that it is a household name in Groningen. Enjoy singing along to the classics in your native language. Probably recognizable for the slightly older reader.
Anita Makken has been involved for a number of years. She has owned this, as she calls it, brown pub for over 35 years. In the middle of the entertainment center, in the Poelestraat. She started in the business when it still belonged to her parents.
Successful
What makes a business like this so successful? 'Everyone is welcome at Bar Players,' says Anita. 'From young to old, from all walks of life. Everyone comes here. And it is Dutch-language music in particular that connects people.' She has no other explanation for it. She does, however, emphatically mention the high tolerance that the visitors have for each other. Something that, according to her, is no longer available in that way everywhere. By the way, you don't have to try to get in if you're under the age of 20. "There are plenty of other places for them to go at that age," Anita adds.
Local bar
According to Anita, Bar Players is a real brown café. In the early evening there is a typical pub. There is hanging at the bar, chatting, and if there is a nice match, football is put on. 'Later in the evening the bar changes, the music gets louder and the party starts. Of course, this does not happen from one moment to the next, but is built up gradually.'
Occasionally there is live music. Then a Dutch-speaking artist will perform. "Then it's always a big party," says Anita.
No request factory
At Bar Players you don't have to come with all kinds of trendy request plates, provided it is in Dutch, in which case they are sometimes willing to make an exception. In general, they play whatever Anita wants. After all, it is also her café. 'I really like Django Wagner, so I play that often. Furthermore, of course, many Dutch hits, we have played the Guardian Angel here. Hazes always does well.' And when it comes to Groningen artists, Burdy is sometimes discussed, but it is not more extensive than this at the moment. Perhaps there is still work to be done for Groningen artists.
Until the late hours
Bar Players is open three days a week. Thursday, Friday and Saturday. Anita still works behind the bar every day. She will continue to do so for the time being. She can't imagine sitting on the other side of the bar watching staff do her work. “That seems terrible to me,” she says. 'As long as I can do it and enjoy it, I will continue to do this.'
Bar Players is open from Thursday to Saturday.
For more information on www.barplayers.nl
