If you’ve ever been to a pub and received a drink in exchange for a dance or a cheerful toast, you may want to check out one unique establishment in Belgium that requires you to give up a shoe in exchange for a beer. Yes, you read that right—one of your shoes.
Located in the vibrant Ghent area of Belgium, Dulle Griet is a pub that has attracted attention from all over the world for its quirky custom. As soon as patrons order their special beer, a giant 1.2-liter beer served in a well-carved glass, the staff asks them to hand over one of their shoes as “insurance.”
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This unusual tradition serves a practical purpose: ensuring that customers don’t walk away with the pub’s specially designed glass. The deposit of the shoe is symbolic, with the promise of its return once the customer finishes the entire beer. The footwear is placed on display, often hanging on a thick rope above the bar area, and it’s not just for show—without your shoe, you’re not leaving with the glass!
For those who might be concerned about the fragility of the glass, there’s an even bigger deterrent. If you happen to break the beer glass, the cost of replacing it is a steep €90 (roughly ₹8,000). This hefty price tag further ensures that customers are cautious with their drinks.
Though Dulle Griet’s shoe tradition first went viral a few years ago, it has recently made waves again on social media, with Instagram users sharing videos of their experiences. The quirky practice has intrigued people, prompting questions like, “Would you give up a shoe for a beer?”
One patron who recently visited the pub described the experience as “funny” and unique. “Would you be willing to give up a shoe as insurance?” she asked in her post, adding that the ritual is part of the pub’s charm and unforgettable atmosphere.
The video of the pub’s quirky tradition continues to gain traction on the internet, offering a glimpse into one of the more unconventional ways pubs around the world ensure a fun, memorable time for their patrons.
