Stormflodssøjlen (Storm Surge Column)
A gilded oak column marking centuries of catastrophic floods, testament to Ribe's battle with the North Sea.
A striking wooden flood column standing on Ribe's harborfront, marked with bronze rings that chronicle centuries of devastating storm surges. Erected in 1922 and crowned with a gilded cap reminiscent of Venetian mooring poles, this historical monument records water levels from catastrophic floods dating back to the 14th century, offering a tangible reminder of the North Sea's power and Ribe's resilience.
A brief summary to Stormflodssøjlen
- Skibbroen 25, Ribe, 6760, DK
- Duration: 0.25 to 1 hours
- Free
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Outdoor
- Mobile reception: 4 out of 5
Local tips
- Visit at high tide or during storm surge warnings to fully appreciate the column's significance—imagine the water reaching those bronze rings.
- Align your eye with the gilded cap and the roofline of the building at the end of Skibbroen to visualize the water level of medieval floods.
- Combine your visit with a guided Night Watchman tour (May–October) to hear stories of Ribe's floods and medieval history in atmospheric detail.
- Explore the nearby Wadden Sea Centre to understand the broader ecological and climate context of storm surges affecting the region.
For the on-the-go comforts that matter to you
- Seating Areas
- Information Boards
- Nearby Food Options
- Nearby Restrooms
Getting There
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Walking from Ribe Town Centre
From Ribe's medieval town center, walk toward the harbor along Skibbroen street. The column is located directly on the harborfront at Skibbroen 25, approximately 5–10 minutes on foot from the Market Square. The route passes through the historic pedestrian streets and is flat and accessible year-round.
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Parking and Vehicle Access
Several public parking lots are available within the town center, typically 2–5 minutes' walk from the column. Parking is generally free or low-cost (under 50 DKK per day). The column itself has no dedicated parking, but the town center's parking areas serve all harborfront attractions.
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Public Transport from Esbjerg
Esbjerg railway station is approximately 30 kilometers south of Ribe. Regional trains and buses connect Esbjerg to Ribe in 30–45 minutes (approximately 60–90 DKK). From Ribe station, the town center and harborfront are a 10–15 minute walk downhill.
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Bicycle Access
Ribe is well-connected by cycling routes through the Wadden Sea region. Bike rental is available in town (approximately 80–120 DKK per day). The harbor area is flat and bike-friendly, with secure parking near the column.
Stormflodssøjlen location weather suitability
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Any Weather
Discover more about Stormflodssøjlen
A Monument to Nature's Fury and Human Survival
Standing on Skibbroen (Ship's Bridge) in the heart of Ribe's historic harbor, the Stormflodssøjlen is an oak pole crowned with a gilded cap that tells the story of one of Denmark's oldest towns battling the sea. Erected on November 14, 1922, this distinctive monument is inscribed with bronze rings marking the water levels reached during the most catastrophic storm surges in recorded history. The topmost ring indicates the devastating flood of 1634, known as "the second Big Drowning," when waters rose approximately 6 meters above normal levels, drowning thousands across the Wadden Sea region and even flooding Ribe Cathedral itself to 1.7 meters above its floor.Centuries of Struggle Against the North Sea
The flat marshlands surrounding Ribe have been vulnerable to flooding since the town's founding in the 8th century. The column's rings document a litany of disasters: medieval floods that devastated entire parishes, 14th-century surges that reshaped the landscape, and more recent inundations as recently as the 1970s. Before the construction of the Ribe Dike in 1912—a 15-kilometer barrier stretching from Tjæreborg to Vester Vedsted—the town faced repeated catastrophe. Remarkably, just months before the dike's completion, another terrible storm caused water to swell so high that residents could sail down Ribe's main street. The column's design, inspired by Venetian gondola mooring poles, reflects the town's maritime heritage while serving as a sobering gauge of environmental peril.Modern Protection and Climate Awareness
Today, Ribe's safety depends on the Ribe Dike and modern storm sluices rather than luck or prayer. Yet the column remains a powerful symbol of the region's ongoing vulnerability. Records from the port authorities in nearby Esbjerg reveal that extremely high tides have become more frequent in recent decades—averaging 2.2 per year over the last 50 years, double the rate from the previous 125 years. Combined with rising sea levels linked to climate change, the Stormflodssøjlen serves as both historical record and warning, reminding visitors that nature's power continues to shape life in the Wadden Sea region.A Quiet Witness to Ribe's Identity
The column occupies a modest but significant place in Ribe's landscape, positioned near the harbor where merchant ships once arrived and where the town's economic and cultural life has centered for over a thousand years. Its gilded cap catches the light, making it visible from various angles across the waterfront—locals note that the hat aligns perfectly with the roofline of a building at the end of the bridge, marking the water level of medieval floods. Unlike the grand Ribe Cathedral or the reconstructed Viking village, the Stormflodssøjlen makes no grand architectural statement. Instead, it stands as a quiet, eloquent testimony to the forces that have shaped Ribe's character: vulnerability, adaptation, and an enduring determination to survive.Iconic landmarks you can’t miss
Queen Dagmar of Bohemia
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A contemplative statue on Ribe’s former castle hill, honouring the gentle 13th‑century Queen Dagmar where her life and legend became entwined with Denmark’s history.
Kammerslusen Ribe
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Sønderho Church
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Æ Kåver
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Namaste Esbjerg
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Marselisborg Strand is Aarhus’ vibrant urban beach, blending sandy coastline, tranquil bay views, and easy access to city highlights and lush forest parks.
Esbjerg Water Tower
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Historic red-brick water tower on a Bronze Age mound overlooking Esbjerg’s harbour, blending medieval-inspired architecture with the story of a young, ambitious port city.
Dronning Louise
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Urban beachfront serenity meets Danish royal heritage at Marselisborg Strand, Aarhus’ favorite local escape for swimming, sunbathing, and seaside strolls year-round.
Bunker
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Vadehavskysten
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Gangbroen over Toldbodvej, Esbjerg Havn
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Denmark
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Esbjerg Museum
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FanøFærgen, Esbjerg
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Compact harbor terminal in Esbjerg serving the fast 12‑minute Fanø ferry, linking mainland bustle with island calm in the Wadden Sea UNESCO landscape.
Naturcenter Tønnisgård
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Discover the heart of Rømø’s nature, wildlife, and island heritage at Naturcenter Tønnisgård, nestled in a historic farmhouse beside the wild Wadden Sea.
Fanø Krogaard
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Unmissable attractions to see
Flood column in Ribe
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A slender wooden column on Ribe’s harbour that turns tranquil waterfront views into a powerful, six-metre-high lesson in storm surges, memory and resilience.
Jacob A. Riis Museum
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The childhood home of a Danish-American reformer who documented poverty and changed a nation.
Hex! Museum of Witch Hunt
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Explore the chilling history of witch hunts in 16th–17th century Denmark through immersive audio and artifacts in historic Ribe.
Ribe Cathedral
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Explore Denmark's rich glass and ceramic heritage at Holmegaard Værk, featuring live demonstrations and interactive workshops.
Ribe Domkirkeplads
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Tiny but central parking right on Ribe’s cathedral square, putting you only steps from Denmark’s oldest town’s historic heart, shops and cobbled lanes.
P Dovns Slippe
0.2 km
Explore the Wadden Sea's unique ecosystem and cultural heritage at Vadehavscentret near Ribe, Denmark.
Den Gamle Arrest, Ribe
0.3 km
Stay the night in Ribe’s old town prison, a 16th‑century listed house on the cathedral square where chaplains, schoolgirls and inmates once shared the same walls.
Kannikegaarden
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Award-winning parish hall and archaeological showcase where contemporary Nordic architecture hovers above Ribe’s oldest brick ruins beside the cathedral.
Det Gamle Rådhus Ribe
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Compact in size but rich in stories, Ribe’s Old Town Hall reveals centuries of justice, ceremony and civic life within an atmospheric medieval shell.
Ribe Water Wheel
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A quietly turning water wheel on Ribe’s old dam, where rushing river water and medieval streets meet in a small but evocative glimpse of the town’s working past.
Riberhus Slotsbanke
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Grassy castle ramparts, a serene Queen Dagmar statue and wide Ribe panoramas reveal the quiet remains of Denmark’s former royal stronghold by the Wadden Sea.
Taarnborg
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A contemplative Renaissance townhouse in Ribe’s cobbled centre, where historic clergy once lived and today’s cultural life unfolds in quietly atmospheric rooms.
Wooden bridges
0.4 km
Simple timber footbridges over Ribe’s quiet river, offering gentle views, soft light and a tranquil pause just beyond the medieval streets.
Faldne fra Sønderjyske Krige, Ribe
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Step into Viking-era life at Vikingborg near Ribe, where interactive exhibits, reconstructed buildings, and live reenactments reveal Denmark’s ancient Norse heritage.
Buste af Jacob A. Riis
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A modest bronze bust in Ribe’s old town honouring Jacob A. Riis, the local boy whose New York photographs and journalism helped change urban social history.
Essential places to dine
Brorsonsminde -by Skovmose
0.0 km
Historic 1899 mission house turned warm Danish restaurant and celebration hall in Ribe’s old town, serving hearty, seasonal cuisine with a sense of occasion.
Restaurant Sælhunden
0.1 km
Historic riverside dining in Denmark's oldest town, where 400 years of character meet fresh Danish cuisine.
Pinocchio
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Casual Italian pizzas and pastas served all day in a cosy, family-friendly restaurant right in the historic heart of Ribe’s medieval old town.
BØFFEN Restaurant
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Homemade burgers and ice cream on Ribe's historic square—casual comfort food at unbeatable prices.
Kolvig - by Skovmose
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Historic riverside dining in Denmark's oldest city, where Nordic cuisine meets industrial heritage.
Weis Stue
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Centuries-old timber inn and restaurant on Ribe’s main square, serving classic Danish dishes and simple rooms in a wonderfully crooked historic house.
Quedensgård Cafe Og Krambod
0.2 km
Historic café and krambod in a crooked old merchant’s house in Ribe, blending Danish comfort food, a leafy courtyard and shelves of characterful curios.
Restaurant Vægterkælderen
0.2 km
Hearty steaks and classic Danish flavours served in a candlelit 16th‑century cellar beneath historic Hotel Dagmar on Ribe’s storybook main square.
Hotel Dagmar
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Denmark's oldest hotel since 1581, blending Renaissance charm with modern hospitality on Ribe's historic square.
Peking House Restaurant
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Authentic Chinese buffet in historic Ribe's pedestrian heart—diverse flavors, fresh ingredients, family-friendly.
Terpager & Co
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Historic 16th‑century café, wine bar and deli in Ribe’s old town, blending Nordic hygge, plant‑forward cooking and small‑producer wines in a cozy courtyard setting.
Monza Pizza
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Authentic Italian pizza handcrafted on Ribe's historic main square
Restaurant Backhaus ApS
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Hearty Danish classics, crooked floors and cathedral views come together in this cosy Ribe townhouse restaurant with a charming courtyard and rooms upstairs.
Restaurant Jacob A. Riis
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Square-side steakhouse and brasserie in Ribe’s historic heart, named after reformer Jacob A. Riis and serving generous, familiar dishes from morning through evening.
Pizza Express
0.3 km
Casual pizzeria on Ribe's main square serving traditional Italian pizzas in a relaxed, family-friendly setting.
Markets, malls and hidden boutiques
Det Gamle Apothek
0.2 km
A historic former pharmacy in the heart of Ribe, now a cosy Nordic shop filled with atmospheric décor, seasonal treasures and a touch of old-town magic.
Overdammens Idebutik
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A cosy Ribe gift shop where Scandinavian homewares, seasonal decorations and thoughtful souvenirs are tucked into a warm, cobbled-street setting.
Den Lille Ravbutik
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A cosy amber specialty shop in Ribe’s medieval heart, where warm golden stones, Scandinavian design and coastal heritage come together in wearable souvenirs.
Garnslusen
0.2 km
Specialty yarn and embroidery shop in the heart of Denmark's oldest city
Biti v/Tina Haugsted Larsen
0.2 km
Long-established Ribe corner boutique mixing Scandinavian-inspired women’s fashion, gifts and souvenirs in the atmospheric setting of the town’s central square.
NEW FORM Ribe
0.2 km
Sporty, pet-friendly clothing store in Ribe’s historic center, stocking practical outdoor and casual wear for the whole family near the Wadden Sea coast.
Janne K Ribe
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Bright, comfortable women’s fashion in inclusive sizes, tucked into a historic townhouse on Ribe’s cobbled main street.
CHANGE Lingerie
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Scandinavian fit-focused lingerie and loungewear in a cosy boutique on Ribe’s historic Mellemdammen, blending everyday comfort with a touch of indulgent elegance.
Imerco
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Denmark's premier homeware destination offering Scandinavian design, kitchen essentials, and exclusive collections in historic Ribe.
Butik B
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Inviting women’s fashion boutique in Ribe’s historic center, blending Scandinavian style, everyday practicality and a relaxed, personal shopping atmosphere.
Tøjeksperten
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Contemporary menswear in Ribe's historic pedestrian district, backed by Denmark's most generous return policy.
Tip Top I/S
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A small, local clothing shop on Ribe’s historic Nederdammen, offering practical Scandinavian-style fashion in the heart of Denmark’s oldest town.
Mega Outlet
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Made in Ribe
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Independent clothing and fabric boutique in Ribe’s medieval center, pairing Scandinavian style with personal tailoring and find-it-here-only souvenirs.
Maude Retro & Vintage
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Colorful, craft-filled treasure trove in Ribe’s old town, where retro charm, handmade ceramics, knitwear and quirky art meet on a cozy cobbled-street corner.
Essential bars & hidden hideouts
Stenbohus
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Cosy, timeworn bar in the heart of Ribe, blending historic surroundings with easygoing drinks, local character and relaxed late‑night atmosphere.
Strygejernet
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Intimate corner pub in Ribe’s old town, pairing rustic coziness, smoke-free comfort and friendly bar life with simple drinks, games and unhurried evenings.
Klubben 1811
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Termansens
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Intimate jazz and live music in a centuries-old townhouse, where Ribe’s historic charm meets cozy, small-scale culture house vibes after dark.
Café Valdemar
0.4 km
A compact late‑night bar and disco in the heart of historic Ribe, blending casual drinks, chart‑driven beats and a friendly weekend crowd on Sct Nicolaj Gade.
Vin For Dig Ribe
0.4 km
Cosy neighbourhood wine shop and intimate vinbar in Ribe, pairing curated bottles with generous takeaway tapas and relaxed Danish hygge.
Grosmann's
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Small-town Danish hygge in a tiny cocktail bar on Kirkegade, where classic drinks, warm lighting and everyday village life meet in laid-back South Jutland style.
Mødestedet
19.1 km
Cozy wine bar on Skærbæk’s main street, where locals and visitors share unhurried glasses of wine, simple snacks and relaxed conversation from day to evening.
Bodega Pubs v/ Kim
19.2 km
Cozy local bodega in Skærbæk serving cold beer, simple drinks, and laid-back Danish bar culture in a friendly, down-to-earth neighborhood setting.
Dowdi Pub Bar
24.6 km
Old-school brown pub in central Esbjerg with inexpensive beers, wood‑panelled charm and a relaxed, local crowd from daytime regulars to late‑night lingerers.
Pappi's pub
24.6 km
Unpretentious, drinks-first bar on Kongensgade offering a simple Danish pub vibe, easy prices and a central stop-off point in the heart of Esbjerg.
Bjælkehytten - En Vestjysk BierBar
24.6 km
Timber-clad, late-opening beer hut on Esbjerg’s Skolegade, serving easygoing brews and shots in a cosy, West Jutland party atmosphere at the heart of nightlife.
Rustik - Bar & Natklub
24.6 km
High‑energy bar and nightclub on Esbjerg’s Skolegade, mixing industrial style, cocktails and a tightly packed dance floor late into the night.
SoHo - Bar & Cocktails
24.6 km
Adults-focused cocktail bar tucked inside Esbjerg Street Food’s old theatre hall, pairing crafted drinks, modern design and a lively, central city atmosphere.
King George
24.6 km
Esbjerg's beloved beer hall where Danish tradition, lively atmosphere, and authentic hospitality converge on Skolegade.
Nightclubs & after hour spots
No.31 - Bar & Natklub
24.7 km
Compact, high-energy nightclub on Esbjerg’s Skolegade, blending late-night bar vibes, loud DJ sets and a youthful dance floor in the heart of the city.
Club Fanø Rindby
26.0 km
Vital hub for kite sports, fatbiking, and Nordic coastal adventure on Fanø, pairing local expertise with welcoming spirit in the island’s scenic Rindby beach area.
Bilka-søen
28.0 km
Esbjerg's energetic nightclub delivering vibrant music, dancing, and social entertainment in a lively atmosphere.
Crazy Daisy Vejen
28.6 km
High-energy disco club in central Vejen, bringing late-night music, dancing and big-city nightclub vibes to a compact South Jutland town.
Romo Golf Links
30.3 km
Romo Golf Links offers an authentic coastal golf experience amid the windswept dunes and wild beauty of Rømø, blending challenging play with stunning North Sea views.
Fishi
35.5 km
Compact, no-frills nightclub in Vejen with loud beats, simple drinks and a friendly small-town crowd that keeps the dance floor moving late into the night.
Al Capone
44.4 km
Tønder’s sole nightclub, Al Capone blends a rustic 1920s‑inspired mood, late‑night beats and strong drinks into an intimate speakeasy‑style party den.
P2 Champagne & Cocktail Tønder
44.4 km
Intimate champagne and cocktail lounge bringing late-night sparkle and city-style glamour to the historic heart of Tønder.
Koldingtivet Engen
47.9 km
Compact Kolding disco where locals pack the dance floor, mainstream hits fill the speakers and late-night energy turns a modest venue into a full-bodied club night.
Discoteque Tordenskiold
48.3 km
Kolding's legendary two-floor discotheque and cultural institution since 1973.
Mørks Kælder
48.5 km
Modern basement nightclub in central Kolding, pouring drinks and classic dance tunes for a grown-up crowd late into the weekend night.
Liglad Day & Nightlife
48.6 km
Compact late-night club on Grindsted’s main street, mixing local vibes, DJs and simple drinks for weekend nights that run into the early hours.
Pitstop
48.7 km
Small, central and loud, Pitstop is Kolding’s alternative live music stronghold, blending intimate gigs, late-night dancing and laid-back bar vibes in a historic building.
Jazz 6000
49.0 km
An essential stop in Kolding for jazz lovers, Jazz 6000 brings world-class live music, community spirit, and a cozy club atmosphere to southern Denmark.
Rotes Kliff
49.6 km
Experience the vibrant nightlife of Rotes Kliff in Sylt, a premier disco club and cocktail bar perfect for unforgettable evenings.
For the vibe & atmosphere seeker
- Historic
- Contemplative
- Scenic
- Unique
For the design and aesthetic lover
- Vintage Styles
- Rustic Designs
For the architecture buff
- Historic
- Landmarks
- Viewpoints
For the view chaser and sunset hunter
- Iconic Views
- Waterfront
For the social media creator & influencer
- Photo Spots
- Architectural Shots
- Instagrammable
For the eco-conscious traveler
- Protected Area
- Locally Managed
For the kind of experience you’re after
- Cultural Heritage
- Myth & Legends
- Day Trip
- Photowalk
For how adventurous you want the journey to be
- Easy Access
Location Audience
- Family Friendly
- Solo Friendly
- Couple Friendly
- Senior Friendly
- Wheelchair Access