"MEET YOU THERE" AT
SWITZERLAND'S LEADING CLUB
Summer 2006
Kaufleuten (below) is similar to Heineken Music Hall in that top performers come
Heineken has teamed up with one of Switzerland's leading gastronomy
outlets, Kaufleuten, Zurich's in-address for party, arts and
entertainment events. The venue boasts a concert hall, lounge, bar and
top restaurant and now exclusively serves Heineken's premium beer.
In Zurich, when Madonna goes dining, when world-class musician Prince
holds his after-show party, and when top DJs spin the latest house
sounds, there's only one address: Kaufleuten. With its atmospheric
concert hall—the dance floors are packed every night—it's been
Switzerland's hottest venue for 14 years, located in the centre of town.
Yet, it's also one of the few clubs whose fame has spread far beyond
the country's borders.
Heineken is now Kaufleuten's high-profile partner for selected events,
such as the "Sounds Good" concert series, which draws top names from
the pop and jazz world, and the "Cool Down" concerts during the
summer months. "Our partnership with Kaufleuten is a great gain for
us," says Boudewijn D.J. van Rompu, General Manager of Heineken
Switzerland. "Our cosmopolitan brand image is ideally aligned with its
discerning guests and its quality events." With Heineken as their
partners, the Kaufleuten management are already looking forward to
developing more new event ideas.
office manager, Marjolein Dutman. She takes me through behind-the-scenes
areas and the black VIP decks set on the sides of the stage. "We just got
nominated again for best podium of the year from Pollstar, the industry's
highest award. We're pretty proud of that," says Dutman showing me the
backstage dressing room where Radiohead recently played.
Looking at these walls, one can only wonder what scenes they have
witnessed. Curiosity prompts me to ask Dutman about the wildest thing
she's heard that's happen here. "Well, believe it or not, nothing too crazy.
We do have a few centimetres of sway in the balconies, which is normal, but
still, people get a bit edgy when the floor moves," she tells me. "But for me,
the nicest moment came when we had a fan in a wheelchair who wanted to
see a show, and she missed getting tickets. She actually didn't know if she'd
be alive then. We arranged something, and she came and rocked out—had
the time of her life. And, you know, you just think, that's really what it's all
about, making people happy. I guess that's the Heineken Music Hall in a
nutshell," she says with a happy shrug.
Looking around as fans line up for tonight's concert, I couldn't agree
more.
