April 16, 2024 · Culinary Journalist
Among the student associations is De Brouwerij An institution. It lies a little hidden away among the other bars and restaurants in Groningen's nightlife district: the Poelestraat. Jan Hoeve has been the owner of the small but oh-so-popular café for over 25 years. For the older generation among us, the café used to be called Ome Ko.
De Brouwerij is primarily a pub for students. But where the café does things just a little bit differently than its neighbor. The Ninth Circle (also from Hoeve) is that it focuses primarily on student associations, boards, and other groups discussed. As Hoeve himself beautifully puts it, with this venture he wants to be a ‘home base for united and studying Groningen’.
From the terrace, you walk into the café. It is a narrow, long pub that, judging by the photos, mostly serves as a party venue. At the very back, you find access to a separate section that is often rented out for private parties, such as those student associations. It is a cozy space with its own bar, seating 50 to 60 people. And that space is popular, as the room is rented out almost every evening. Incidentally, years ago this part was a snack bar on Peperstraat. But times change, and so the cafeteria had to make way for the pub.
Contrary to what the name suggests, no brewery is involved with the café, nor is the beer brewed in-house. ‘We don’t do anything very special or distinctive with the café,’ says Hoeve. ‘We simply meet student expectations, and to put it bluntly, that really is beer and bitterballen. That’s what we sell. No complicated procedures here. So no Burgundian bitterballen. Just beer in pitchers. People often drink a lot and quickly, and you have to facilitate that. What I do find important is that it has to be affordable for everyone. The prices are therefore very reasonable. I really try to keep it fun for the student.’
Hoeve describes the music being played as truly student-like. ‘Sing-alongs, Dutch-language music, danceable and cheerful. And above all, woman-friendly.’ By this, he means music that is not aggressive and in which women are not insulted. ‘That is important,’ Hoeve emphasizes.
Café De Brouwerij is open every day from 8:00 PM. Private groups by reservation. For more information, please visit www.cafedebrouwerij.com
