Estaminet de Garre Bruges

'Garre ' in West Flemish means a narrow opening or slit .

Street and even little street are a somewhat exaggerated name for what is only a narrow corridor , an alley or actually a slum. De Garre was called the "Zuidzeepstraatje" in the 16th century , after a soap factory that was located there. Around 1800 the name De Garre came into use. In 1884 the city council gave it the official name "Zeepstraat". Popularly, however, it remained "De Garre", which was eventually also adopted as the official name in 1936.

Originally it was a fire lane along which a connection was sought with the Reie, in order to be able to supply the necessary extinguishing water in the event of a fire. There was a public water pump in the alley, which caused some nuisance, because local residents trotted up and down to get water.

The people of Bruges actually called it - and still do - De Garre van Koneei (written by some as Cornée or Kornee). This referred to the neighbour, baker Corné (or Edouard Corneille), who almost regarded the street as his property and took care of the gate with which he closed it at night, to prevent access for public peepers . After all, the street had quite a reputation in that area.

A folk rhyme about this is still known to many people from Bruges and reads: Hiss was taking a piss in the Garre van Koneei, two police officers came and took Hiss with them. Hiss said: I haven't done them yet and they let him do it

Willem Vandenameele