Café Den Draak

Café Den Draak ("The Dragon Café") has been a social anchor for Antwerp's gay community for many years, occupying a prime position on the Groenplaats — the square directly in front of the Cathedral of Our Lady, one of Antwerp's most iconic locations. The bar functions as a café-bar rather than a nightclub: coffee and Belgian beer through the afternoon, a warm and sociable crowd in the evening, and the kind of atmosphere that makes it equally comfortable for a solo visitor and a group. The clientele is mixed gay/lesbian, with a significant proportion of long-term regulars who treat Den Draak as their local. The location is exceptional for orientation: the Cathedral, the Grote Markt, and the main gay district are all within a five-minute walk. For visitors arriving in Antwerp for the first time and wanting a welcoming space to get their bearings, Den Draak is the natural starting point.