About
Culture brings people closer together.
The Antwerp Pianist is in the heart of Antwerp, where music, art, gastronomy, and encounters converge into an experience that is perhaps unique in the world.
The concept
With the grand piano as the heart of the house, we create a warm and international cultural salon where everyone is welcome. A place where people meet through culture: artists, musicians, thinkers, diplomats, ambassadors, business leaders, neighbors, friends, and guests from near and far.
Through concerts, exhibitions, literary evenings, gastronomic dinners, and international collaborations, an open house is created here where languages, countries, and backgrounds do not separate but enrich each other.
Housed in a historic building in Antwerp, we welcome national and international artists, cultural partners, representatives from embassies, and entrepreneurs with a passion for culture. They discover a particular vision here: through music, art and hospitality, building bridges between people, Belgium and the world. Here, culture is not only presented but experienced, shared, and connected.
The Antwerp Pianist, where everyone is welcome and Antwerp meets the world through culture.
The Diephuis
A place with history
In the shadow of the Cathedral of Our Lady, on one of the oldest squares in Antwerp, The Antwerp Pianist is at home in Huis Pollet. Where Lijnwaadmarkt lies today, the weekly linen market sounded for centuries — and earlier still this place was simply called the Klein Kerkhof, behind the choir of the cathedral.
Huis Pollet itself was built in 1924 for Fernand Pollet, to a design by the Antwerp architect Ernest Pelgrims. In a neo-traditional style, with a nod to the Flemish renaissance, the house sits seamlessly among the centuries-old facades around it. A hundred years on it still stands, recognised as architectural heritage.
Within these walls, history takes on new life. Where people once lived, music, art and encounters sound today.
Under one roof
Music
Music is the origin of The Antwerp Pianist and remains the beating heart of our operation. Around the concert grand, national and international musicians invite the audience for special musical experiences in an intimate setting — classical, jazz, world music and contemporary creations. From September to June a concert season; annually Piano Presto (Piano Day); in summer the Nocte Festival. Musicians who have already played here include international pianist Ruben Plazier, international violinist Yoojun Curtis Lee (Juilliard Pré-College, New York), pianist Jess Will from London, pianist Asaph Sampa from Rotterdam, international string quartet Iguaran Quartet, Nazareno Feruggio (piano, Italy), Jef Neve (pianist), Leon Blekh (violinist), and laureates of the Prinses Christina Concours.
Gallery
Art takes shape through Arthur Gallery, an international platform for contemporary art that brings together artists, collectors and culture lovers. Carefully curated exhibitions where established names and emerging talent meet.
Gastronomy
Not as a restaurant, but as a cultural extension: tastings, dinners and wine evenings, always by reservation via the website. Every Friday and Saturday from 19:00 to 22:00: Le petit restaurant du pianiste. An intimate surprise menu in three courses, starter, main and dessert, for a maximum of 25 guests on the first floor. Sometimes with live piano at the table, otherwise with a carefully chosen musical setting. Reservation only, via the contact page. At our concerts and other events you can often dine beforehand. Where a dinner is possible, you see it when you buy your tickets and can add it to the same order. Now and then we welcome a star chef for Les Étoiles & Les Touches, an evening where kitchen and keyboard meet.
Bar
An intimate bar at the heart of The Antwerp Pianist, where you come home to a mood of calm and refinement. At the bar we pour carefully chosen drinks, with or without alcohol, and serve fresh bites that are always different and always chosen with care. Something particular is our own red wine: selected exclusively for The Antwerp Pianist and tasted nowhere else. A glass you will not soon forget. Live piano often sounds on our grand. And when the lid closes, a hand-picked selection takes over, composed by our artistic advisers, specialists in music. So you never hear just a playlist here, but always a story. Come in, take a seat and enjoy.
Literature
The art of the word in all its forms. Authors, poets, thinkers, performers and stand-up comedians — book presentations, lectures and humorous evenings, at close range rather than at a distance.
The house is yours
Historic salons that can be reserved exclusively, with attention to content, atmosphere and artistic added value — from board meetings to a walking dinner for 40 guests.
Curated pop-ups
Temporary concepts where culture, craft and creativity meet. Some ideas deserve a temporary stage.
Visit
Come and listen.
Where
Huis Pollet
Lijnwaadmarkt 3, 2000 Antwerp
Open Thursday 16:00–22:00, Friday 16:00–midnight, Saturday 14:30–midnight and Sunday 15:00–20:00.
Le petit restaurant du pianiste every Friday and Saturday evening from 19:00 to 22:00, reservation only.
Other visits by programme or by arrangement.