The characteristic staircase under the Drie Gezusters, illuminated by blue neon letters, which many pedestrians have walked (or stumbled) over, will soon lead to a new but well-known destination: the keg† The café, which was located on the Poelestraat for many years, will make a new start on the Grote Markt 23 as of November 2016, 39.
After having been a characteristic gathering place for students in the Poelestraat for twenty years, the lease was terminated because the Municipality of Groningen had other plans for this place. But the drive was not lost with owner Jeroen de Vries, also owner of Diner Café Diep – which he runs together with partner Irene van de Velde.
The Keg is alive
“The name of the Vaatje is still alive, also with me personally.” says DeVries. The cafe was missed. In the past year and a half, many buildings have been viewed for a restart of the café. Often the plans did not go through due to a sound-technical point of view or lack of space. Until the owners of Diep were approached by the operator of Feestcafé De Blauwe Engel on the Grote Markt.
Famous drinks
In about two weeks, on November 23, the Vaatje will go wild again as usual. The public is welcome both at the start of the night out (22:00) and in the late/early hours. Drinkers and partygoers can again enjoy the famous pitcher of Rocket, the homemade liquorice vodka and the old-fashioned Paardkut (read: Apfelkorn with Spa Rood).
Twenty years of The Keg
Much will not be renovated, the building on the Grote Markt is still in good condition. However, the many paintings, plates and photos of Het Vaatje will be featured on the wall. “The passage – also called the lock – through which you enter the pub will be filled with photo opportunities from twenty years of Het Vaatje.” Input from Vaatje-goers over all these twenty years is more than welcome. The owner is considering retaining an element of De Blauwe Engel, in order to honor the history of the building.
No night will be the same
Het Vaatje will always remain a café. The candles, felts and nuts are put back on the bar and table. “Everyone – from eighteen years old – who feels at home in Het Vaatje is welcome to have a drink at the start of the night out. But in the long run, one can also expect a transformation into a real party night where you can go wild.” According to DeVries. The staff plays an important role in this. The bartender or bartender will sense the atmosphere of the evening and respond to the audience by spinning many (request) records. Whether it's Top40, Dutch or Happy Hardcore, De Vries: “Everything should be possible during the evening – no evening will be the same.”
In this way, every partygoer should have a good feeling and be able to enjoy a casual atmosphere. Old, well-known partygoers who have spent evenings in Het Vaatje as well as new faces are welcome to recognize their traces or leave them behind in the old toilet doors of the former building.
Het Vaatje will be open Monday through Saturday from 22 p.m., closing times are largely left to the nightlife crowd.
