On the edge of the Red Light District, on the corner of the Zeedijk, stands Proeflokaal de Ooievaar. A small brown pub, big on atmosphere and history. Vincent has been working here as manager for five years with visible pleasure.

Tribal pub became workplace

"It was my regular pub," Vincent explains. "Then they asked if I had time to be behind the bar. Well, I did - and I still enjoy doing it."

Four nights a week he is there, along with a small team of cashiers. "Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday," he lists. "And on Saturdays, I just sit here as a guest."

The audience

The atmosphere at Café De Ooievaar changes by the clock. "At three o'clock the regulars come in, a coffee or tea. Then soon a beer," says Vincent. "By four, five people come in from work. And in the evening another completely different crowd. It never ceases to amaze me."

Notable: the café is not a tourist magnet, despite its location. "Maybe twenty, twenty-five per cent at most," Vincent estimates. "And that's fine. We don't want screaming bachelor parties in here. It has to stay cosy."

The tradition of the egg

There are always boiled eggs on the bar, an age-old tradition. "That's because of Napoleon," Vincent explains. "He once stipulated that there should always be food where drinks were served. So yes, an egg is easy."

A dozen or so are cooked every morning. "One per person, and one for myself at the end of the morning," he says, laughing.

A neighbourhood like a village

Although the café is in the middle of the city, the neighbourhood feels like a village. "Everyone knows each other," says Vincent. "You help each other, catch up, it's a big family. And yes, also a bit of a gossip village: if you kiss someone here, everyone knows about it 15 minutes later."

Gin, liqueurs and history

Behind the bar are rows of bottles of gin and liqueurs, from a 200-year-old family business. "Many young people start with young gin," says Vincent, "but I always try to convince them: old gin is much tastier. More flavour."

On the walls are pictures and drawings from the past. One of the regulars even brought a drawing showing his grandfather as a boy. "That one hangs here now too," Vincent tells proudly.

Proeflokaal De Ooievaar

Café De Ooievaar is more than a café. It is a place where history, music and regulars come together. Where a free egg, an accordion and a glass of gin are the basis for evenings full of stories.

Curious about more fun cafes in the area? take a look at the Red Boot!