King Kong

King Kong is Brussels' primary leather and bear bar, occupying a characteristic spot on the Rue du Marché au Charbon and serving a specific but loyal community. The bar is oriented toward gay men who identify with leather, bears, and masculine dress codes — the aesthetic is clearly signalled from outside, which means that those who enter know what they are walking into and those who prefer a different environment can choose accordingly. The atmosphere is warm rather than intimidating: Brussels' leather community is not large enough to be stratified, and the bar functions as the gathering point for a community that includes visitors from across Belgium and from the Netherlands and France. During Belgian Pride week and around La Démence events, King Kong is particularly busy with international visitors who are specifically seeking this kind of venue. Regular themed nights reinforce the bar's identity without making it inaccessible to the merely curious.