Cafe De Kleine Witte

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History

Welcome to the history of Café De Kleine Witte. In the year 1883 the Café De Kleine Witte opened a tasting room and off licence. Very soon after, the shop was appointed to the royal family as Prince Hendrik, the husband of Queen Wilhelmina, quickly discovered where he could get his gin from wooden barrels.

Soldiers of the former ‘Frederikskazerne’ used to hold many animated discussions in the café about how the country should really be governed; the rose-coloured spectacles getting thicker after every drink! A beautiful bronze plaque in the café is a nice memory of this period.

The name De Kleine Witte originated during this period and was derived from the ‘Societeit The Witte. The name De Grote Witte [the Great White] was designated for the officers and the ordinary men were not allowed to go there. A solution was found quickly: After closing the gates, hop quickly over the wall and go to De Kleine Witte.

In 1949 Mr and Mrs Rijvers moved from Brabant to the Mallemolen and took over De Kleine Witte …… and the first generation of ownership began.

In 1958, De Kleine Witte was transferred to the daughter of the family, Gonda, and her husband, Sjaak Balemans.

In 1978, Christine Balemans took over from her mother Gonda and managed De Kleine Witte until 1 July 2013, when her son Patrick Ravenswaay, the fourth generation, and his girlfriend Claudia took over the café.

In the sixties and seventies, the cafe was referred to the ‘truant’s café by pupils of the surrounding schools. Back then, ‘Balen bij Balemans’ [Being fed up at Balemans] was a frequent complaint. Angry teachers, concerned parents, and a street full of ‘mopeds and bicycles’ was a familiar image, before, during and after class. To this day, the cafe is visited by former students, many of whom have built up excellent social positions.

The current cafe, where beer is still tapped with a 125 year old West Frisian beer pump, is still a daily watering hole for a wide section of the public. Old guests, young guests, lawyers, notaries and don’t forget the brokers, and politicians who come to socialise with a drink and a snack in this authentic café. Patrick and Claudia are always there for a friendly chat and, with their staff, will do all they can to give you good service with a welcome and a smile.

One of the best statements a café can truly be proud of came from Freddie Heineken:

If there’s ever a time I can no longer go to my local café, the HOPPE, then De Kleine Witte will be my new café.

Unfortunately it never got that far, because the Hoppe was sold and Freddie passed away. A certificate issued and signed by him, awarded because of the hundred years of tapping an excellent glass of Heineken beer, proudly hangs next to the bar in our beautiful café.