Entertainment in Ghent
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't Velootje
Push through the heavy, unmarked door and take care not to trip over old bikes, or whack your head on the kero lamps cluttering this tiny, darkened garage as you take a seat at a low wooden picnic table. Lieven De Vos has turned his bicycle workshop into an informal bar, of sorts - ask for a beer and Lieven will bring out whatever he selects; his opening hours are 'whenever I feel like opening until it closes down' (try after 21:00).
There are plans to expand the pub to accommodate Lieven's collection of antique bikes; the expansion is scheduled to be complete in 2010, Het Velootje's 25-year anniversary.
To find the pub, walk north along Oudburg until you see a pile of j…
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Vooruit
Everything from jazz to flamenco and book-readings to lectures takes place at this left-leaning performance, theatre, arts and cultural space. This impressive building, on the edge of the student quarter and close to the revamped Zuid district, was built in 1912 as a cultural centre for the Socialist Party and is worth a look in itself. Students congregate in the vast open-plan foyer bar for coffee or drinks; you can also get hot, wholesome meals for under around €8 between 12:30 and 15:00 and 18:00 to 20:30.
From the Korenmarkt it's about 1km, or take tram 41 to the stop 'Zuid' at Graaf van Vlaanderenplein.
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Casa Rosa
The 'Pink House' is an essential stop for gay and lesbian travellers to Ghent. The foyer bar attracts a mixed crowd, who can steer you to the latest hotspots. You'll also find a gay and lesbian information office (generally open business hours on Monday, Wednesday and Saturday), and stands with city maps listing nightlife options and various other gay- and lesbian-friendly establishments.
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Het Waterhuis aan de Bierkant
Staff with a true passion for beer serve over 140 brews in Waterhuis' cosy interior and on its sprawling riverside terrace. Exclusive house brews include a knock-out amber Klokke Roeland (11% alcohol and often drunk as a nightcap; with a limit of three per person) and a blonde Gandavum Dry Hopping (7.5% and quite possibly the best beer this author's ever tasted). Unmissable.
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Mokabon
The pungent aroma of coffee pervades your senses at this unpretentious coffee bar, which roasts its beans on the premises. Locals from all walks of life gather around the original Art Deco timber bar for hot coffee as well as iced coffee frappés. You can also buy the house-blend beans (ground or unground) for around €14.20 per kilo.
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Hotsy Totsy
Iridescent striped wallpaper, velveteen booths and Ella Fitzgerald et al in the background make Hotsy Totsy a favourite haunt on any given night, but it's positively hopping during live sessions (usually at least Tuesdays and Thursdays; gigs are posted on the website). The rear room doubles as a de facto gallery space for local artists.
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Trollekelder
Wide-eyed furry trolls peep out from unlikely places throughout this old stone-walled watering hole, such as from behind iron-barred cells in the cave-like cellar. Trollekelder manages to be atmospheric without being contrived, as evidenced by the devoted following drinking its blonde and dark Trollebier (troll beer).
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Herberg De Dulle Griet
One of Ghent's best-known beer pubs. Local brews include Guillotine (9.3%), Delirium Tremens (9.5% - watch out for pink elephants if you down too many of these) and the city's strongest beer, Piraat (10.5%). The tables are old kriek (cherry lambic beer) barrels and the beer list makes for solid reading.
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Charlatan
For dancing in town, head to Charlatan. This is Ghent's biggest music bar, doing live gigs most Thursdays and Sundays. This stalwart bar and venue is a local institution for live bands, DJ sets and parties - check the website or in-house leaflets to see what's on or just head on in like everyone else.
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Café Den Turk
This venerable place dates way back to 1228, making it easily Ghent's oldest pub. But despite its 680+ years, it remains true to its roots as a local gathering spot, and is the kind of place where you go in alone and come out knowing a dozen people.
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Pink Flamingo's
Barbie meets Princess Di at this knowingly kitsch café. The décor changes every three months, and you can rest assure it'll be bad taste. Even if its aesthetics aren't your thing, the funky background tunes will win you over.
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Video
Oude Beestenmarkt is where some of Ghent's best DJs got their start. The string of little venues here includes Video, a tiny boutique club that attracts a like-to-be-seen clientele. It's big on everything from techno to drum'n'bass.
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't Galgenhuisje
The city's smallest pub. It dates back to the 17th century, and its name means 'the gallows' (that's what went down on this square in times past). It's formidable how many people squeeze in here on Friday and Saturday nights.
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Culture Club
This is hipster heaven, with serious lighting and some seriously hot DJs scratching on the decks. Check the online calendar before trekking out of town, and glam up for the door police or the trip will be in vain.
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De Hel
In an ornate baroque house, De Hel's black velveteen curtains, snug banquettes and candles flickering in red glass create a romantic ambience, and a complete change from bigger, brasher student bars.
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Flanders Expo
Although Brussels is the premier destination for international rock bands, Ghent does get a fair share. Performances are usually staged at the Expo, a couple of kilometres southwest of the centre.
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NT Gent Schouwburg
The Nederlands Toneel Gent is the city's premier theatre company, and performances (exclusively Flemish-language) can be seen here at the company's home.
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't Dreupelkot
An austere bar that majors in jenever and packs in the punters. Shares the same enticing waterfront location as Het Waterhuis aan de Bierkant.
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Café Trefpunt
Run by the organisers of the Gentse Feesten, most of the week this is a laid-back pub, but on Mondays there are DJs, jam sessions or live concerts.
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De Bijloke
Classical music buffs will find a good selection of concerts held in this hall, which is within the Bijloke complex.
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Limonada
Go retro at this stylish '70s lounge bar. Luminous furniture - designed on-site - is one of the attractions.
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De Vlaamse Opera
Ghent's main opera venue was built in 1840 and boasts horseshoe-shaped tiered balconies and elegant salons.
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Chocolat
Chocolat is a little venue that is big on everything from techno to drum'n'bass.
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