Neighborhood
Belgisches Viertel
in Cologne, Germany
Bars, design, cafés and mixed queer/mainstream nightlife.
Where it is
The Belgian Quarter lies in the south of Neustadt-Nord, west of the Ring, around Brüsseler Platz with the church of St. Michael.
Address: Belgisches Viertel, 50674 Cologne
What it is
Today the Belgian Quarter is the city's most creative and trend-setting district, full of independent boutiques, concept stores, cafés, bars and galleries. On warm evenings Brüsseler Platz is a favourite meeting spot. Thanks to its proximity to Schaafenstraße, fashion, design, art and queer culture blend into a lively nightlife area.
History
The quarter grew from around 1900 with grand Gründerzeit and Art Nouveau houses; its streets are named after Belgian and Dutch cities and provinces. From 1977 the area was renovated and greened, and it then developed into one of Cologne's most popular residential and trend-setting districts.