100 years of the Archiduc

To mark the Archiduc's centenary, music journalist Johan Ral has compiled archives and anecdotes related to this iconic Art Deco venue in a book entitled “Archiduc Forever”. The book traces the history of the venue from its transformation into a private club in 1943, through its formative years as a jazz club, to its opening to the general public by its current owners.

Already steeped in history, the bar was taken over in 1985 by Nathalie and Jean-Louis Hennart, who turned it into a true meeting place, a symbol of freedom and openness. It was a successful gamble: over the decades, the Archiduc has established itself as an essential part of Brussels nightlife, renowned for its jazz concerts, piano sessions and DJ-led evenings.

Find all this and more in Johan Ral's book “Archiduc Forever”.