Mayor Orders Nightclub Closure for Three Months

Nightclub shut down after series of violent incidents, including stabbing, to restore neighborhood peace.

Generic image of a closed nightclub with police tape, streetlights, wet pavement, and emergency light reflections.
AI

Generic image of a closed nightclub with police tape, streetlights, wet pavement, and emergency light reflections.

The mayor of Antwerp has ordered the closure of a nightclub on Van Stralenstraat for three months, from October 12, 2026, to January 11, 2027, due to a series of serious violent incidents.

The nightclub located in Van Stralenstraat will be closed and sealed from October 12, 2026, to January 11, 2027. This measure follows a series of serious violent incidents, including a recent stabbing that injured a patron. The closure aims to prevent further incidents and restore peace to the neighborhood.
On Sunday, September 6, shortly before 8 AM, city cameras captured individuals leaving the nightclub. An argument outside the establishment escalated into a fight, during which a knife was produced, and one person was stabbed in the abdomen. The victim was transported to the hospital. Police arrived at the scene and prevented further escalation.
Between February 2025 and September 2026, the police registered twelve incidents in or near the nightclub. These included fights, assaults and injuries, violence involving glasses and knives, thefts, and aggression by intoxicated individuals. In January 2024, a fatal stabbing incident also occurred in the immediate vicinity.
A significant portion of the incidents took place in the early morning hours or around closing time. Furthermore, the violence was not confined to the club's premises; conflicts also escalated on the street, posing risks to residents and passersby. The nightclub is situated near Rooseveltplaats, a busy area with many travelers and pedestrians.
In June 2025, the establishment was temporarily closed for two weeks due to violations of fire safety regulations.
Given the severity and regularity of the incidents, the mayor has now imposed a direct three-month closure. During this period, all activities and operations within the establishment are prohibited. Through this closure, the mayor intends to protect the livability and safety of the local residents and send a clear message that violent incidents in Antwerp will not be tolerated.
It is also stipulated that any intended transfer of the club's operation must be reported to the city in advance. This allows for an assessment of whether sufficient guarantees for public order and safety can be provided upon potential reopening.
Based on information from the official source: Stad Antwerpen — Persberichten (13/10/2026)