The first gay bars in Ghent appeared in the 1950s, but the gay nightlife scene really came into its own in the 1970s.

Vlaanderenstraat 22, Ghent

The hot spots at the time were B52, Binky’s Club, Cherry Lane, Kingstreet and Paradox. The last one was first established on Korte Meer and then moved to Vlaanderenstraat, where the club would remain open for several decades.

So the next time you’re dining at Vrijmoed, the Michelin-starred restaurant currently located on this hallowed ground, think of Paradox.

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