Antwerp (Brussels Morning Newspaper) – Antwerp benefits from an expanding initiative to maintain its vintage “Brown Cafés” (bruine kroegen), although these businesses fight rising economic challenges alongside shifting social tendencies.
Antwerp is witnessing a growing movement to preserve its traditional “brown cafés” (bruine kroegen) as these establishments face increasing economic pressures and changing social habits. Ben Mouling, an Antwerp resident, founded the ‘Kroegtijgers’ movement to champion the cause, emphasising the vital social role these pubs play in fostering community and combating loneliness. Mouling leads Facebook page events that help raise support for locals to visit their preferred pubs while reaching over 22,000 followers.
Things aren’t going well for the local pubs.
“The brown pubs are disappearing rapidly and that’s not good for our society,”
Says Ben Moulding. He recently founded the ‘Kroegtijgers’ movement, in which he wants to save the Belgian pub culture. Tonight, there will be a first meeting in café Oud Arsenaal in Antwerp.
“Pubs are important against loneliness.”
“On our Facebook page, we mainly want to inspire people,”
Says Ben.
“You can share tips so that others get to know your favourite café. But we also want to make sure that people meet each other effectively and so tonight we are also organizing our first café evening in café Oud Arsenaal. I have no idea how many people will come.”
According to Ben, the rescue of the brown pub is really necessary.
“Everything is becoming more expensive for operators. The rents are sky-high and the price of the products is also rising. As a result, everything is also becoming more expensive for the customer, which is causing even more people to drop out.”
And that’s not all, according to Ben.
“There are also many special actions such as ‘Dry January’ or ‘Tournée Minérale’. These are positive initiatives to reflect on our alcohol consumption, but they do ensure that people meet even less often in cafés. So there is also a need for an initiative to give the café sector a boost.”
“The cafés have an incredibly important social function,”
Says Ben.
“For me, it’s one of the last places where you can meet each other. On the street or on the train, people are sitting with their headphones in their own world. In a café, you chat about life. In times of loneliness, that’s important. For me, it works better than a psychologist.”
“We know from research that people feel better when they feel connected to the people around them,”
Says psychologist Hanne Raets.
“Having a casual chat in a café connects with the deep human desire to connect with others. Especially in a world where that contact on the street is not obvious.”
Raets emphasises that a café conversation is not for everyone.
“The brown café is perfect for people who like to have spontaneous chats. There are also people who don’t like such a casual conversation.”
And she has another reservation.
“You can just as well have that necessary chat with an apple juice. That doesn’t always have to be with a Trappist or a pint.”
What makes Brown cafés a unique part of Antwerp’s culture?
Brown cafés represent cultural centres that trace their historical roots back to Antwerp. The combined elements of warm, inviting spaces with dark wood decorations, along with a broad beer selection, create welcoming venues for Antwerp residents alongside visitors.
The customer base at these cafés consists of different groups, including elderly readers, students, and artists, who exchange friendly stories and bonds. According to a brown café employee, “It’s like a family—people will tell you their story,” is how he describes the atmosphere. People often describe the brown café as “one of the last remaining gathering spots.
