The Kursaal in the past

This building dominates the view of the Albert I-promenade.
The casino is based on the plan of Leon Stynen (1953), an architect from Antwerp, and is built in white Portland stone; it stands on the site of the first casino which was built in 1875 and was demolished during the Second World War as it had to make way for the German Atlantic Wall.

After the war it took eight years before the present Casino was built. This remarkable building, which is the largest casino in the country as it covers an area of one hectare, is a typical example of modernism.

Nevertheless, almost all the halls have been thoroughly renovated over the years. The concert hall for example was originally built overlooking the sea. Later on it was rebuilt and transformed into a theatre with a blind wall behind the stage so that the view of the sea fell away.
The entrance hall was built facing the city after the Zeedijk had been declared a pedestrian area. Moreover, a second entrance was constructed on the western side of the building.
The eye-catcher is of course the playing hall with murals by Paul Delvaux. Art plays an important role here. Famous artists have collaborated with regard to the decoration of the building, both inside and outside: Georges Gerard, Van Vlasselaar and Marc Mendelssohn. Outside on the gallery, which leads to the hall, you find the ‘Four Elements’, a bronze sculpture by Oscar Jespers.
In addition to the playing hall, the casino also comprises exhibition and congress rooms, private salons, a reading room, an impressive main hall, a restaurant and an impressive amphitheatre seating 1650 people, where various different spectacles, concerts and performances are held all year round.

The Kursaal today

After the official opening on the 17th of December 2004, the Kursaal Oostende has become one of the largest and best equipped convention and concert halls in Belgium. This is not only due to its location on the sea promenade, but also because of the new concept. Everything is housed under one roof: 3 multifunctional halls, 1 auditorium, 1 meeting centre, 3 restaurants, 1 lounge bar and 1 Casino gaming room.

The auditorium can be used for concerts and conventions and overlooks the sea. Depending on the size of the stage, the auditorium has a capacity to seat 2100 to 2185 people all of whom have access to very comfortable seats.
In addition to the auditorium, the convention centre has eight smaller auditoria, including six Board rooms, the Great Hall and the Delvaux Hall.

The Coffee House is situated on the first floor. Here you can enjoy a light meal, pasta, sandwiches, salads or simply a coffee and cake. During the summer months it is linked to a large outdoor terrace on the sea promenade.

On the top floor we have a garden terrace and Pierre Wynants’ Ostend Queen – Fish Brasserie; he has the reputation of being the best Belgian chef and will surely spoil you with mouth-watering dishes such as fruits de mer, an oyster buffet and a wide range of different Oostende fish menus. The Ostend Queen can seat 200 people.

The Lounge is situated on the first floor providing a pleasant and friendly atmosphere which becomes a proper club in the evening. This is definitely the place to be for a cocktail and a chat after a convention, meeting or an event.

More than ever before Kursaal Oostende serves as a distinguishing mark, a meeting place and as a social and cultural epicentre since the reopening in December 2004.
The Casino-Kursaal re-established itself as the throbbing heart of Oostende.

Programme Kursaal Oostende

 
on www.kursaaloostende.be

 

Casino Kursaal

The renewed Gaming Room is installed in the former Ambassadeur room. Besides the decoration and the equipment, both the bar and the restaurant is renewed. Free entrance. Minimum age is 21.