Barocci: From Mega House Temple to Club Privilege

After sharing the story of our first trip, we were delighted to receive so many comments from readers who fondly remembered some of Belgium’s and the Netherlands’ legendary clubs. Among the responses, one name appeared frequently: Barocci in Zundert, Netherlands. Located just across the Belgian border, Barocci was famous throughout the region. Responding to our readers’ interest, we decided to visit Barocci and see what had become of this once-iconic nightclub.

Barocci first opened its doors on August 24, 1991, under the name Mega House Temple Barocci. With resident DJs like Yves de Ruyter and Bart Bellens, the club quickly gained popularity among both Belgian and Dutch youth. In 1993 and 1994, the club faced temporary closures but returned each time under the name Mega Dance Theatre Barocci. Unfortunately, by the end of 1994, Barocci permanently closed its doors. To get a sense of its atmosphere, you can still listen to the original radio spot announcing Barocci’s grand opening here.

In its heyday, Barocci stood out with its unique design and lively energy. The club was run by Richard and his wife, who created a space beloved by young people across the region. Today, over 20 years later, we discovered that the club had been transformed into Club Privilege, a private club. It was amazing to see how a club that was open for just a few years had left such a lasting impression on its former visitors. We were eager to hear more about its evolution, so we reached out to the current owner, Richard’s grandson, who informed us that the building still belongs to his grandparents.

When we asked if we could visit the club with our camera, we were thrilled to receive a positive response. On a sunny Sunday afternoon, we arrived at the Dutch-Belgian border in Zundert, where the club is located. The building is now surrounded by tall hedges, designed to block outside views, but the distinctive structure of Barocci is still recognizable.

Upon entering the property, we were greeted by Richard himself, the former owner of Barocci and now the owner of the private club. Richard welcomed us warmly and shared stories about the club’s glory days. Barocci’s opening was a huge success, with the venue packed every weekend. With the large crowds, however, came challenges. Richard and his wife eventually found it difficult to manage the discothèque and decided to shift to a private club concept. Remarkably, this concept has proven successful, and nearly 20 years later, Club Privilege is still thriving.

Naturally, we were curious about how Richard came up with the idea of transforming a nightclub into a private club. He explained that he had been involved in similar ventures since he was 17, even renting out his own room. According to Richard, the infrastructure for a discothèque wasn’t that different from that of a private club, as they had already invested in ventilation systems, bars, and restrooms for the space. Although running a nightclub was enjoyable, he found the regulations too restrictive, so he decided to pursue his second “hobby” instead.

The building underwent renovations, creating private rooms, a jacuzzi, and a sauna in the main hall. Richard proudly showed us the main hall, which still features many of the original design elements from the Barocci era. Visitors from the club’s past would likely remember the vibrant lights on the floor, which still work perfectly to this day.

The original lighting installation, which hangs from the ceiling and resembles a butterfly with moving wings, is still there as well. Although it is no longer functional due to the private club’s need for a dimmer setting, it remains an impressive sight. Additionally, the iconic name Mega Dance Theatre Barocci is still visible on the wings.

Exploring further, we found that many of the bars are still in operation, providing refreshments to current guests. A large bed now occupies the balcony, and a new blacklight paint decor, reminiscent of the original blacklight accents, glows in various parts of the club. The classic illuminated logo of Barocci, once visible at the top of the brightly lit stairs, has been replaced, but its spirit lives on in Club Privilege.

We were thrilled to see that so much of the former Mega House Temple Barocci has been preserved. This legendary club continues to offer a unique experience, just as it did in the early 90s. If you’re interested in visiting, Club Privilege is open to the public and accessible through their website. For former visitors, there’s even a Barocci Facebook group where memories of this iconic venue are shared.