Thousands Dance at Café d’Anvers Reunion on Sint-Jansplein in Antwerp
More than 5,000 nostalgic revelers gathered at Sint-Jansplein in Antwerp on Monday for the “Café d’Anvers Open Air” reunion, a one-day festival celebrating the legendary nightclub that defined Belgian house music for three decades. The event, held on the eve of Belgium’s National Day, featured international headliners Groove Armada and Todd Terry alongside the club’s original resident DJs, drawing crowds from across generations, according to Het Laatste Nieuws.
A Legendary Venue Reborn
Café d’Anvers opened its doors in 1989 inside a former 16th-century monastery in Antwerp’s Schipperskwartier (red light district) and quickly became the birthplace of Belgian house music. For 30 years, the club operated as one of Belgium’s most iconic nightlife destinations, earning a spot in DJ Magazine’s top 40 clubs worldwide. It hosted international legends including Sven Väth, Laurent Garnier, Green Velvet, and the late Erick Morillo, while launching local talent such as Sven Van Hees, Steve Cop, and Sherø.
As HLN reported in its background feature, the club was also known for its colorful characters. Belgian TV personality Tom Waes worked there as a bouncer and toilet attendant in his youth, describing the atmosphere as “very convivial” with no fights or arguments. Dancer Charissa Parassiadis, known as “Slongs Dievanongs,” called her time at the club “one of the peak periods of my life.” Even Eddy Wally performed a surprise show there in 1995.
The Reunion Event
The open-air festival transformed Sint-Jansplein into what organizers Carlos Michielsen and Tatjana Pladys described as “the biggest café in Antwerp for one day.” The lineup featured UK duo Groove Armada as the closing act and American house pioneer Todd Terry, who replaced Felix Da Housecat at the last minute after the latter canceled due to travel document issues.
Original resident DJs Sherø, Steve Cop, and Sven Van Hees — described as “one of the best house producers Belgium has ever known” — kept the crowd dancing through the afternoon. The event took place during a break in the third heatwave of the summer, providing ideal conditions for the outdoor celebration.
A Nightlife Revival
Café d’Anvers closed its doors permanently in 2019 as the nightlife landscape shifted. But in late 2024, Club Traum opened at the same location on Verversrui, purchasing the Café d’Anvers brand. Due to overwhelming demand from patrons, Traum began organizing “Café d’Anvers Reunion Nights,” which proved so successful that they led to the open-air event.
According to the official press release from BUZZ agency, the reunion was designed to “let the generation that grew up there relive the golden years and run into old friends.” The afterparty continued at Traum Club from 23:00, featuring DJ Prinz, DJ 100% Isis, Flapjackers, Jeroen Delodder, and Séa.
Cultural Significance
The massive turnout demonstrates the enduring cultural impact of Café d’Anvers on Belgian nightlife. The event bridged generations — from those who partied at the club in the 1990s to a new generation discovering the brand. It also reflects a broader revival of Antwerp’s nightlife scene, with new clubs including Traum, Garage Klub, and WOOM opening in 2024-2025.
What’s Next
Organizers have already scheduled the next Café d’Anvers reunion nights at Traum for September 16 and December 12, 2026. Whether the open-air format will become an annual tradition remains to be seen, but if Monday’s turnout is any indication, the demand for a return to the golden era of Belgian house music shows no signs of fading.
For more information, visit the official event website.