Kinky Star

Kinky Star is a long-running bar and club at Vlasmarkt 9 in Ghent, in the Flemish Region of Belgium, close to the Vlasmarkt and the city's old centre. It has a reputation as an informal, alternative-leaning venue, mixing a bar space with live concerts and DJ nights, and the crowd is correspondingly varied: students, local music fans, regulars and visitors, generally young adults but with a mixed age range. Dress is casual and nobody is expected to dress up. The music tends toward alternative, funk and electronic, with local bands and DJ nights forming the core of the programme, so the sound can change from a live set early on to a danceable mix later. The drinks programme is straightforward, with Belgian beers, spirits and simple mixed drinks at budget-friendly prices (€), which suits the student-friendly profile. Hours typically run from the evening until late, with Friday and Saturday the busiest nights and weeknights depending on whether a concert or DJ event is scheduled. Cover charges vary by night, with some evenings free and ticketed or door-charge entry for specific acts, so checking the programme is advisable. Table reservations and bottle service are not part of the usual model, and the door is generally relaxed. The central location means it is easy to combine with other bars in Ghent's old town, and it works well as a later stop after dinner or an earlier drink in the city. Visitors looking for a less polished, more music-led night than a large commercial club often choose it, and the unpretentious atmosphere makes it approachable for first-time visitors to Ghent's nightlife.