Charlatan

Charlatan is a music café and concert venue located on the Vlasmarkt in Ghent, Belgium. Founded in 1989 by Jo Van Groeningen and Bart Vrancken, it has grown into a beloved institution in the city's nightlife, hosting around 200 performances annually, primarily on weekdays, while weekends are dedicated to dancing. The venue offers a diverse program ranging from rock, post-rock, and stoner rock to electronic music including house, techno, drum'n'bass, and hip-hop. It also hosts cultural events and private parties. Over the years, Charlatan has become a symbol of Ghent's vibrant music scene, inspiring the film 'Belgica' by Felix Van Groeningen. Despite challenges such as violence and drug abuse in its early years, it has remained a popular spot for musicians and music lovers alike.

Charlatan was founded in 1989 when Jo Van Groeningen (father of filmmaker Felix Van Groeningen) and Bart Vrancken took over the Tramway, a supporters' café of the Racing Heirnis Gent football club, on the Vlasmarkt in Ghent. They renamed it 'Charlatan' and it quickly became a popular haunt, especially among musicians. However, its rising popularity also brought increasing violence and drug abuse, problems that Van Groeningen struggled to address. In 2000, Joris and Gerald Claes took over the Charlatan from Jo Van Groeningen. They carried out extensive renovations and expanded the venue with a concert hall. The two brothers also inspired the main characters in Felix Van Groeningen's 2016 film 'Belgica', though it is emphasized that the story of Belgica is not the same as that of Charlatan, despite many similarities. The fact that the brothers in the film cannot continue running the café together corresponds to reality, as in 2003 Joris Claes stepped down as manager and brother Gerald continued with co-managers Nik Vandenberghe and Mario Vuylsteke. In 2019, Charlatan celebrated its 30th anniversary. By then, it had become a household name in Ghent's nightlife, hosting an average of 200 performances per year – mainly on weekdays – while weekends are primarily for dancing.

• 2019

  Charlatan celebrates its 30th anniversary.

• 2016

  Felix Van Groeningen's film 'Belgica', inspired by the brothers Claes, is released.

• 2003

  Joris Claes leaves; Gerald Claes continues with Nik Vandenberghe and Mario Vuylsteke.

• 2000

  Joris and Gerald Claes take over Charlatan and expand it with a concert hall.

• 1989

  Jo Van Groeningen and Bart Vrancken take over the Tramway café and rename it Charlatan.

A cornerstone of Ghent's alternative music scene, offering a mix of live concerts and club nights in a historic setting.

• Live music performances

  Regular concerts featuring rock, post-rock, stoner rock, and more.

• DJ nights

  Weekend dance events with house, techno, drum'n'bass, and hip-hop.

• Club events

  Late-night parties and themed events.

1. 1Charlatan official websitecharlatan.be
2. 2Wikidata: Charlatanwikidata.org
3. 3Wikipedia: Charlatan (zaal)nl.wikipedia.org