Old and new come together at Fort Napoleon De Belevingsbrasserie

You'll find Fort Napoleon in Oosteroever, a district of Ostend that has undergone a remarkable transformation in recent years. "Over the past few years, Tourism Ostend has organised numerous exhibitions and activities at the fort, alongside a permanent visitor experience called Where the Walls Whisper," says Jessica Declerck, Operations and Event Manager at Fort Napoleon De Belevingsbrasserie. "We originally ran a pop-up bar here during the interactive exhibition The Crazy Treehouse. It was such a success that we decided to apply for the concession to operate the venue full-time for the coming years." They secured the concession and embarked on a major renovation, upgrading everything from the heating system to the kitchen, bar and interior. Since spring 2021, the fully renovated venue has been welcoming guests.

Creating memorable experiences is what sets the team apart, especially for families. "Families can enjoy a drink or a meal here in a warm, inviting setting. We also serve fresh, tasty and healthy dishes for children. And because we know it can take little ones a while to decide what they want, guests can order at their own pace at the counter and collect their food and drinks from the bar." Children can also go on a treasure hunt using a special map to find hidden Napoleon stickers, and activity booklets are available to keep them entertained.

Fort Napoleon De Belevingsbrasserie is also a popular event venue, hosting both corporate and private events. The venue accommodates everything from seminars for 20 guests and wedding receptions for 200 to dinners for up to 300 people by extending into another part of the fort. The operators' extensive experience through event agency Look i Like and catering concept Taste i Like is a major asset. "It allows us to think creatively and tailor solutions to our clients' needs. When a couple was looking for a wedding venue at the last minute and our venue was already fully booked, we built a tent with a mobile kitchen on the roof of the fort. There isn't much that scares us," she laughs.

Choosing AQUALEX: great-tasting water, excellent service and industry expertise

Earlier this year, the team decided to install an AQUALEX Tube tap system. "I'd already seen the system in several hospitality venues," Jessica explains. "The main reason was practicality. This isn't the easiest location from a logistics point of view; everything has to be delivered through the basement, which involves a lot of physical work. The tap system makes a real difference. The AQUALEX water tastes great and has a pleasant sparkle. It's also an environmentally friendly choice. And last but not least, the personalised bottles look beautiful on the table."

"We're very pleased with the installation itself; it's been finished to a very high standard. We only decided to install a water dispenser after the renovations had already been completed, so the bar hadn't originally been designed for it." Jessica also values AQUALEX's experience in the hospitality sector. "Our account manager carefully assessed the size of our venue and advised us on the system that would suit us best. And when we recently put up a large marquee next to the fort for a series of events, he recommended using an AQUALEX mobile tap system. Overall, we've had a very positive experience with the company," she concludes.