{{Short description|Type of bar from Belgium and Northern France}} {{More citations needed|date=November 2025}} {{Use dmy dates|date=November 2025}} {{for|Estaminet classification in Medicine|Distal radioulnar articulation}} [[File:Godewaersvelde estaminet.JPG|thumb|right|Flemish estaminet ''Le Blauwershof'' ("the den of fraudsters") in Godewaersvelde, Nord, France.]] An '''estaminet''' is—in Picardy, French Flanders, Luxembourg, and Brussels<ref>[https://sosoir.lesoir.be/601427/article/2020-02-28/trois-estaminets-qui-ont-su-garder-leur-ame-depoque-bruxelles sosoir.lesoir.be "Trois estaminets qui ont su garder leur âme d'époque à Bruxelles"]</ref>—an establishment that serves various types of drinks, sells tobacco, and offers traditional games. The estaminets are part of the cultural heritage of these regions. In Brussels, a three-hundred-year-old estaminet is still open.<ref>[https://www.lebonbon.be/bruxelles/actu/vieux-spijtigen-duivel-plus-vieux-cafe-bruxelles-depuis-300-ans/ The oldest estaminet in Brussels, still active since more 300 years, Antoine Lebrun 19 December 2024] www.lebonbon.be (in French)</ref>
The word ''estaminets'' has also been in use in Paris in the 19th century, as Jules Lovy wrote about them on 18 April 1858 in ''Le Tintamarre''.<ref>''[https://gallica.bnf.fr/ark:/12148/bpt6k5668952d/f5.image.langFR Les cafés de Paris]'', ''Le Tintamarre'', 18 April 1858, {{p.|5}}, 2nd column. See the original of the article on Commons.</ref>
In modern usage, ''estaminet'' refers to taverns, bistrots, inns, and brasseries typical of Nord Département in France that make use of ancient tools and typical rural, or traditional, decorations, and serve dishes and drinks from the region. [[File:Estaminet picard.jpg|thumb|Estaminet ''La Cuisine de Papet'' in Éplessier, Picardy, France.]]
== Etymology == In 1802, the Académie française defined the estaminet in a very short description: "Assemblée de buveurs et de fumeurs" (An assembly of drinkers and smokers).
The word has a Picard origin and comes from "estamet", which refers to the pillar supporting the roof of a room, and, by extension, the room itself.<ref>Jean Dauby, {{lang|fr|Lexique du bâtiment et de la maison en rouchi , dialecte picard du valenciennois, Études et recherches sur Saint-Amand-les-Eaux et sa région}}, no 9, 1987, pp. 1-9.</ref>
== The estaminets in the 19th century == [[File:Lesser Ury Estaminet.jpg|thumb|upright=0.75|''Flämische Schenke'', (Estaminet, Flemish Tavern) by Lesser Ury 1884, Alte Nationalgalerie.]] At the beginning of the 19th century, in the more elegant cafés, tobacco was forbidden, but smoking was permitted in the estaminets. The word "estaminet" was in common use before World War I and referred to an establishment where one could have a drink and smoke. There could be, at the same place, a grocery or a farriery facility,<ref name=Leers>[http://www.leershistorique.com/page2_6estaminets.html Les estaminets] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160303172546/http://www.leershistorique.com/page2_6estaminets.html |date=3 March 2016 }} Leers website]</ref> like nowadays multi-service cafés.
A place to socialize for workers, the estaminet was also the meeting point for local societies, like pigeon-keeping club members or feather-bowling players.<ref>{{cite book|author=Collectif, dir JP Wytteman|title={{lang|fr|Le Nord de la préhistoire à nos jours}}|publisher=Bordessoules|year=1988|page=260}}</ref>
Some singing societies also included in their name the one of the estaminet where they are gathering. For instance, in Flers, there is a society called ''Les Amis-Réunis de l'estaminet du Pont du Breucq'' (the friends of Pont du Breucq estaminet). In Lambersart, there is a ''Société des Rigolos Réunie à l'Estaminet de la Carnoy à Lambersart''<ref>[https://gallica.bnf.fr/ark:/12148/bpt6k6470003b.r.langFR A song by Société des Rigolos Réunie à l'Estaminet de la Carnoy à Lambersart] (in French)</ref> (Society of amusing people gathered at la Carnoy estaminet in Lambersat). In Lille, there are several societies called ''Les Amis-Réunis à l'Estaminet du Grand Quinquin'', ''Les Amis-Réunis à l'Estaminet du Réveil-Matin'', ''Les Bons Buveurs de l'Estaminet de l'Alliance''. In Roubaix, there are ''Les Amis-Réunis à l'Estaminet du Bas Rouge à Pile'',<ref name=PI>La Pile is a neighborough in Roubaix.</ref> ''Les Amis-Réunis Estaminet Bauwens'', ''Les Amis Réunis à l'Estaminet du Poète de Roubaix'',<ref>[https://gallica.bnf.fr/ark:/12148/bpt6k5450849b.r.langFR {{lang|fr|Manière d'engager ses amis à souper}}], a song by the ''Les Amis Réunis à l'Estaminet du Poète de Roubaix'' goguette.</ref> ''Les Amis-Réunis à l'Estaminet tenu par Augustin Roger''.<ref name=CATAL>[http://www.mediathequederoubaix.fr/fileadmin/user_upload/article/Fonds_de_poche/FDP_2010-05.pdf {{lang|fr|Exhibition Chantons... mais en patois !}}] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141011123827/http://www.mediathequederoubaix.fr/fileadmin/user_upload/article/Fonds_de_poche/FDP_2010-05.pdf |date=11 October 2014 }} held from the 8 June to 1 July 2010 in Roubaix Media library.</ref> In Tourcoing, there is the ''Société des Amis Réunis, Estaminet du Lion-Blanc, à Tourcoing''.<ref>[https://gallica.bnf.fr/ark:/12148/bpt6k54507883.r.langFR A song by ''la Société des Amis Réunis, Estaminet du Lion-Blanc, à Tourcoing''] and [https://gallica.bnf.fr/ark:/12148/bpt6k6429914n.r.langFR Another song, by ''la Société des Amis Réunis, Estaminet du Lion-Blanc, à Tourcoing'']</ref>
In Lille, on the eve of the First World War, the people were more likely to enjoy their hard lives in the estaminets, where they could relax, meet up with friends, sing patois refrains, and play a variety of games. These games included ''jeu du beigneau'' (throwing shuffles into a hole), ''jeu du bouchon'' (knocking down corks 9 meters apart), skittles, darts, and strength competitions.
== Estaminets during World War I == [[File:The Estaminet Art.IWMART3787.jpg|thumb|left|The Estaminet, by Haydn Reynolds Mackey: Depiction of British soldiers in an estaminet on the Western Front during World War I.]] Egg and chips became popular in Britain during World War I due to a shortage of meat. It was a favourite food of Tommies behind the lines on the Western Front in northern France and Belgium, eaten at estaminets, which also sold cheap wine and beer.<ref>{{cite book|chapter-url=https://books.google.com/books?id=LyAfAwAAQBAJ&pg=PA130|title=Food in Zones of Conflict: Cross-Disciplinary Perspectives|chapter=Alternatives to the ration for British soldiers|editor=Paul Collinson, Helen Macbeth|publisher=Berghahn Books|date=2014|isbn=978-1782384045|quote=In fact, the staple, often the only dish on the estaminets' menus was egg and chips, for which the men had an enormous passion}}</ref>
== The estaminets revival == [[File:Drincham L’estaminet du Gallodrome (5).jpg|right|thumb|In the estaminet du gallodrome (the cockpit estaminet) in Drincham, Nord, France.]] Nowadays, the name "estaminet" is given to different taverns, bistrots, or inns that make use of ancient tools as ornaments and typical, rustic, and traditional decorations. Hop is hanging from the ceiling, and old pictures are on the walls. Old bottles and "Vierpots" (ember pots) to light one's pipe are gathered on the fireplace. The menu shows dishes with Flemish names like "Waterzoï" or "Potjevleesch".<ref>Aude Pidoux, [https://hebdoblogtrotters.typepad.com/blogtrotters/2007/08/les-estaminets.html Les estaminets], 17 August 2007.</ref> Above the entry door, a placard is placed, with a depiction of the scrutiny of God, and is a warning to the customers against cursing (in Flemish: ''Hier vloekt men niet'').<ref>Pascal Goffaux, [https://www.rtbf.be/article/hier-vloekt-men-niet-damien-deroubaix-a-la-louviere-9784387 Les estaminets], 9 December 2017.</ref> [[File:Drincham. estaminet du Gallodrome Hier vloekt men niet.jpg|thumb|''Hier vloekt men niet'' placard in Estaminet du gallodrome, Drincham.]]
== Estaminets in culture == [[File:Dourges - Cité Bruno Ancienne des mines de Dourges, estaminet (01).JPG|thumb|left|Estaminet ''Oude herberg'' (Old inn) in Dourges, Pas-de-Calais, France.]] Victor Hugo used the word "estaminet," among other Walloon words, in his naturalistic novels set in the north of his country.<ref>Hugo, Victor (1865). Les Misérables. J. Hetzel et A. Lacroix, Paris, The year 1817, p. 69 : {{lang|fr|Un estaminet plein de fumée se présenta, ils y entrèrent et le reste de leur conférence se perdit dans l'ombre.}}</ref>
"Estaminet" is also the title of a short story by Gerard Walschap.
"The Estaminet" is a poem by Ivor Gurney published in Selected Poems about comradeship between soldiers during World War I.
Estaminet 'In 't Spinnekopke' is one of the recipients of the Bronze Zinneke, an award handed out by the cabinet of the Brussels Region to individuals, personalities, organisations, or companies that perform a role as informal ambassadors of the Brussels Region.
== Gallery == {{Gallery |align=center |title=Estaminets in culture |Lille - Estaminet 'T Rijsel - 20190423 (1).jpg|Estaminet 'T Rijsel in Lille, Nord, France. |Close up of a bottle of Kassels Bier showing brewery.JPG|Close up of a bottle of Kassels Bier, the "House Beer" of the Estaminet 'T Kasteel Hof, in Cassel, Nord, France, showing brewery (Brasserie de Saint-Sylvestre). |Gastronomie lilloise servie dans un estaminet.jpg|Dishes served in an estaminet in Lille (potatoes, carbonade flamande, welsch, potjevleesch). }} {{Gallery |align=center |title=Estaminets in art |David Milne - Vimy Ridge from Souchez, Estaminet among the Ruins.jpg|''Vimy Ridge from Souchez, Estaminet among the Ruins'', 1919, by David Milne, National Gallery of Canada. |James Ensor (1875 ca) Estaminet 001.jpg|Estaminet, painting by James Ensor (1875 ca). |Joueurs de boules dans la cour d'un estaminet Teniers le Jeune musée des Beaux-Arts de Chartres Eure-et-Loir France.jpg|Boules players in the yard of an estaminet, by David Teniers the Younger. |Bovinet - un estaminet.jpg|Un estaminet - engraving by Edme Bovinet after Adriaen van Ostade. }}
== See also == * French cuisine * Cuisine and specialties of Nord-Pas-de-Calais
== Notes and references == {{Reflist}}
=== Bibliography=== * In 1886, the publisher Ravet-Anceau established the first inventory of estaminets in his {{lang|fr|Annuaire du Nord}}. Since 2005, estaminets from northern France and Belgium are listed in the {{lang|fr|Guide Ravet-Anceau des estaminets}}, described as the Bible of estaminets in 2013 (Gilles Guillon, Pôle Nord Editions). * Giuseppe Salvaggio, {{lang|fr|De A à Zinc. 700 mots pour y boire. Précis de sociolexicologie}}, Strépy-Bracquegnies, Le Livre en papier, 2021, 476 p. {{ISBN|978-2-9602-5311-5}} - Pages 217 to 228 are dedicated to the etymology of the word "estaminet" {{ISBN|978-2-9602-5310-8}}). * Dominique Lobjois, {{lang|fr|Jeux d'estaminets de Flandre}}, préface de Jacques Messiant, Éditions Engelaere, 2016, 176 p. {{ISBN|978-2-9176-2138-7}}. * [https://www.google.fr/books/edition/Estaminets_et_caf%C3%A9s/XnEu0AEACAAJ?hl=fr {{lang|fr|Estaminets et cafés. Histoires bruxelloises}} 2018] BruxellesFabriques = Brusselfabriek.
== External links == {{wiktionary|estaminet}} {{Commons}} * [http://www.estaminets.fr/Pages/SitePresentation.php Estaminet.fr] A site dedicated to estaminets (in French).
Category:Drinking establishments in Belgium Category:Drinking establishments in France Category:Beer in Belgium Category:Beer in France Category:Nord-Pas-de-Calais Category:Belgian cuisine Category:French cuisine