The VUB Main campus will soon welcome a new meeting place. Poincafé, a student café and multifunctional venue by and for students, will officially open on February 18. The project is the result of a collaboration between the Student Council, BSGgtgv and BSG AS vzw.
Behind Poincafé are Lucas Stroobant, bar manager, and Daniel Hiel, chair. Both share a strong passion for student life and event organisation. The idea for Poincafé had been brewing for quite some time and was first put on the table by the Student Council back in 2018. Lucas: “It was time for students to once again have a place to come together on campus. A cosy spot where you can enjoy an affordable drink and meet each other.”
Co-creation
The Poincafé project is led by Lucas and Daniel and is financially supported by the Student Council and BSG AS vzw (operator of the BSG hall).Leon Bauweraerts, chair of the Student Council, is also pleased with the arrival of Poincafé: "With Poincafé, we want to bring students back to campus and revive the village-like atmosphere, in the spirit of the former Kultuurkaffee. As more and more student cafés disappear, this is a tangible project through which the Student Council directly invests in students."
Daniel Hiel
Daniel, a master’s student in Applied Computer Sciences and chair Poincafé, has been active in various student organisations. “The idea actually goes back to before corona,” he says. “After an event, Lucas and I started talking. It’s my final year at the VUB and I really missed student life. That’s when Lucas suggested joining forces on this project.”
Café and event space
Poincafé will be open as a café on Tuesdays and Thursdays, from 7:00 PM to 11:00 PM.
On other days, the space can be rented by recognised VUB student associations and VUB services. Two formats are possible: events fully organised independently, or with support from the Poincafé team. In the future, Lucas and Daniel hope to open the café on additional days as well. “There is an enormous demand for spaces from student organisations,” says Daniel. “That’s why we are really hoping for strong collaboration with many student initiatives.”
The café will be run by a small, motivated team of volunteers, including bartenders and bar managers. The board also includes a financial officer and representatives from the Student Council, BSGgtgv and BSG AS vzw.
👉 Poincafé is still looking for additional volunteers. Anyone who wants to help build this new student hotspot is welcome to sign up. More information can be found here.
An inclusive café
Poincafé aims to be an accessible, low-threshold space. Everyone is welcome to stop by for a drink, at student-friendly prices. Lucas: “We notice that many existing options are too expensive for some students. That’s why we focus on affordable drinks and a wide range of non-alcoholic alternatives.”
What’s already on the agenda?
- 10 February: Karaoke at 8:00 PM @Poincafé (free entry)
- 11 February: Comedy night at 8:00 PM @Poincafé (free entry)
- 16 February: Student organisation KLAD hosts a mural painting workshop – all students are welcome to join and paint along
- 18 February at 6:00 PM: Official opening of Poincafé with a free keg!
📍 Location: Poincafé is located opposite the new lecture hall Qe.
Interested in stopping by, helping out, or organising something together? Poincafé keeps its doors open to everyone. Check out the Poincafé website and keep an eye on their Instagram for the latest updates and events.