Jazz In Brussels - Clubs

Brussels Jazz Club

Located on the Grand Place in the heart of Brussels this venue combined a beautiful location with a very stylish interior. Many famous names and bands performed there. A doorman graced the entrance, and it was open until well after midnight. Once again we have to pose the question "Why did it close?". A complex mix of business and local politics. Its demise was a sad event not just for Brussels but jazz worldwide.

Brussels Jazz Club

Grand Place

Brussels Jazz Club

Interior

Programme

March 1989

The Bierodrome

Pol Lenders - 'Pol Jazz' - had a long and successful career promoting jazz in Brussels. A polyglot, ebullient individual, he had most of the talents needed to be admired and favoured by musicians and the public alike. Not forgetting his on stage performances of "Ice Cream" rendered in a mixture of French, Flemish, and Brusseleir. The ambience of 'The Bierodrome' was one of anticipation. You never quite knew who would drop in. Over the years many famous musicians did just that. The regular programme included the best Belgian and international musicians and groups.

It was sad day indeed when 'The Bierodrome' finally closed its doors. Particularly, when the club had a new owner, and what followed,, a mixture of naivety and sheer incompetence, were the key elements in a totally unnecessary decline.

The Bierodrome

Place Fernand Coq

The Bierodrome

Interior

Pol Lenders

Patron of The Bierodrome

More Information FR | EN

Pol Jazz Club

23 Rue De Stassart

Pol Jazz Club

Album Sleeve

Pol in his prime

Pol Jazz Club

Unidentified Band

The Music Village

The Music Village. Founded by the much missed Paul Huygens more than twenty years ago and now managed and directed by Paul's widow Lucie Saeys, The Music Village occupies a historic building just a few paces away from the spectacular Grand Place. Great performance space. Comparable with many top-draw jazz clubs worldwide.

The Music Village

Rue des Pierres 50

The Music Village

Exterior

The Music Village

The Bandstand

I'Estaminet

Jef, the owner of the 'Roue d'or' and the 'Kelderke' on the Grand-Place had a problem. The 'Kelderke' was a hugely popular place to eat and people would wait in line for a table. Jef a jazz lover and jazz aficionado solved the problem by opening the 'I'Estaminet' situated adjacent to the 'Kelderke'. Overseen by Pol Lenaders, people could sit comfortably in this bar, have a drink, listen to live jazz, and when a table was available in the 'Kelderke' the maître d would appear to escort them. There was a video monitor on the wall of the 'Kelderke' so diners could see the live music taking place just a wall away.

The 'I'Estaminet' was an amazing venue. Legendary weekly jam sessions. Some great bands and musicians. A roll call of some of the jazz greats who found their way down the stairs to play with whoever was performing on that particular evening. Once again the question - why did it close? Well a mixture of the building owners - a Swedish Investment group? - projected conversion of the building into, what they assumed would become a more profitable asset. Was ever thus!