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“I was about 14 when I went to get entertainment money from my mother who was behind the bar at ‘t Gat,” manager Nils Firman recalled. She grabbed my ear and said, “First go get empty cups from the tables, and then we’ll talk about money again.” I worked the remaining three days of the exhibition at ‘t Gat van Nederland. And I never left.’ On December 22nd, the most famous coffee shop in the Netherlands celebrates its fiftieth anniversary. Nels looks back on half a century of partying, humour, fun and the turning point in the local nightlife lifestyle: “You can no longer run on a beer and a ball of jack”.

Written by: Kevin Muir

Traditionally, nightlife in Volendam started at ‘t Gat van Nederland. Upstairs to be exact. After a few years of gaining experience in the dark bar – now turned into the lovely Secret Bar – young attendees finally got enough courage to stick their heads around the corner one floor below. Once they did, there was a good chance they would still be there, and Gat would become their favorite pub. But times are changing. “The going-out style has taken a different turn over the years,” says Niles.

Where you used to have a place standing at ‘t Gat on Saturdays if you were late than six, today’s nightlife generation places more value on quality offerings. You can no longer get away from a menu consisting of sausages, meatballs and a grilled cheese sandwich all at once. The current offering should target specialty beers, fine wines, cocktails and restaurant-worthy snacks. They want to have more fun. Sit quietly, catch up with others, have delicious snacks and drinks, and music with a voice that you can still understand each other.”

“Aspirations? Revive Sunday…”

Although more young people are out than before, the need has slowly but surely shifted. Niels laughs: “It used to be hard to get magazines with shots. Nowadays, groups of friends and girlfriends would rather sit down for a beer or wine than stupidly watch each other and get drunk. This doesn’t change the fact that we all go back in time on holidays. When we have something to celebrate, the music returns to hundreds of tall stories at the table and we laugh, dance and drink till we drop. We are still Volendammers.”

Paragon

Two years ago, ‘t Gat and ‘t Havengat underwent an extensive renovation. The result? A breathtaking pub in an old English pub atmosphere. Stained glass windows, century-old Glasgow bars, herringbone-patterned timber ceilings, brick walls and above: nostalgic black-and-white portraits of the former street scene and world-famous guests.

“Brown cafes are a dying breed”

‘T Gat van Nederland is the epitome of what a cozy café should be. “We always try to be progressive,” says Niels. “Brown cafés simply belong to a dying breed. That’s the truth, whether we like it or not. With that basic idea and the idea of ​​responding to the new nightlife lifestyle, we’ve revamped both ‘t Gat and ‘t Havengat. I recently went to Dublin for some Inspiration. That’s how I’ve always worked. Thanks to this method and the experience I’ve gained along the way, I’ve been able to design my catering establishments in the current style. With a fresh design and look, we’re ready to sail the new course.”

petrol tanks

In 1972, Bep Veerman established ‘Dekker’ and Jan Veerman ‘t Gat van Nederland in an old grain silo. Later, the adjoining bike shop and filling station for scooters (photos on the right) were added. “During the renovation process, we came across petrol tanks covered with tiles. All this was possible then,” Nils laughs. In 1998 Niels and Peter Nanninga took over the catering business. Two years later ‘t Havengat was added and again three years later Peter said goodbye. In 2014 Kees Jonk became co-owner of ‘t Gat van Nederland and in 2019 Kees said goodbye to the Baltus takeover.

Built-in petrol tanks. it was possible

“Since then I have had expert help from company leaders and management teams. Alex Bootsman, Karen Puig, Jan Schilder ‘Kakes’ and my daughter – to name a few – but also Aaf Bergen, who has provided home service for nearly fifty years, has been indispensable to The current team is now doing so well that I can take a step back. This, in turn, gives me space to focus on other projects.”

Sunday

Due to the already full party schedule in December, the anniversary celebrations were postponed by a month. , the third weekend in January is a big three-day party at ‘t Gat van Nederland. We start on Friday with a program for guests and relations, after which we welcome regular guests to take their permanent place. On Saturday, everyone is invited to come and celebrate, led by a national artist. And on Sunday it’s the turn of friends, acquaintances and family. ” Despite fifty years of success, Nils is still bursting with new ideas.

“I like to give new life to Sunday. That was the day off. Sunday was always the best day of the week. That’s why ‘t Gat will give an apt interpretation of Sunday afternoons from 2023. Live music, good snacks and drinks and get home on time Fitting. Just how the nightlife crowd wants it to be in 2023.”

Reverence, allegiance, or respect

In ‘t Gat van Nederland, your fears roll at the front door of the Draaipad.
At ‘t Gat van Nederland, beer is dancing on the pub, and life is no punishment.
Yes, at Gat van Nederland you can often build a party there.
The whole world is on his side, in ‘t Gat van Nederland’.

According to the Stampvast guys of thirty years ago. Greetings to the beloved Gat. But the new Gat also deserves its own song. Perhaps this time not a humpapa party cracker, but a wonderfully atmospheric song over Volendam’s signature sounds of accordion, mandolin and acoustic guitars. Greetings to the reformed Gat van Niederland.

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