Brussels’ nightlife suffered another major blow on Monday after the popular Watermael-Boitsfort nightclub La Cabane announced it would shut down permanently. The decision follows the recent closure of another beloved venue, Reset, deepening concerns about an “impending collapse” of the city’s club culture.
Opened six years ago, La Cabane quickly established itself as one of the capital’s most respected electronic music venues. With a capacity of 300 people, the club hosted more than 900 events, focusing predominantly on house music and regularly featuring internationally recognised DJs.
Its final party on Saturday brought in acclaimed German DJ and producer Danilo Plessow, widely known as Motor City Drum Ensemble (MCDE), offering fans a last chance to experience the venue’s signature atmosphere.
‘No Longer Viable’ Amid Rising Costs
In a statement released Monday, La Cabane’s management said the traditional nightclub model had become “no longer sustainable.” They cited increasingly stringent noise regulations and sharply rising operational costs as key factors behind the decision.
“We went back and forth, trying to find a way to keep things going without compromising what made the club so special,” the statement said. “But as time went on, it became clear that continuing at this pace was no longer viable.”
The club’s owners said they spent months exploring options to maintain operations, but the financial and regulatory challenges proved insurmountable.
Venue to Be Repurposed for Private Events
With the closure now confirmed, the space will be repurposed to host private events, corporate meetings, concerts, and artistic exhibitions. The management said this model offers a more stable and sustainable business alternative, allowing the venue to continue contributing culturally even if not as a nightclub.
While the new direction may preserve the space’s creative identity, the transformation marks the end of an era for Brussels’ clubbing community.
Reset and Other Venues Also Forced to Shut Down
La Cabane’s closure comes just weeks after Reset, located in central Brussels, announced it would close its doors by the end of November due to financial difficulties. Reset’s team cited the City of Brussels’ decision to cut more than 80% of its subsidies, making continued operations impossible in its historic former banking hall.
Other nightlife staples, including Bonnefooi café and Spirito nightclub, have also revealed plans to shut down. The succession of closures is raising alarm among cultural advocates and venue operators across the region.
Fear of a ‘Collapse’ in Brussels Club Scene
Brussels By Night, an organisation representing nightlife professionals, warned earlier this month of a possible “collapse of the Brussels club scene” if urgent action is not taken. The group has called for greater support from the Brussels-Capital Region, particularly for independent cultural spaces facing mounting financial strain.
They argue that nightlife plays a vital role not only in culture and entertainment but also in the local economy, tourism, and community identity. Without intervention, they fear the city could lose a crucial part of its social fabric.
For many in Brussels’ creative community, La Cabane’s closure is more than the loss of a venue—it is a symbol of a cultural scene in distress. And with more venues under pressure, the future of nightlife in the Belgian capital remains increasingly uncertain.
