Bar entertainment in Brussels
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‘t Velootje
Push through the heavy, unmarked door and take care not to trip over old bikes, or whack your head on the kero lamps cluttering this tiny, darkened garage as you take a seat at a low wooden picnic table. Lieven De Vos has turned his bicycle workshop into an informal bar, of sorts – ask for a beer and Lieven will bring out whatever he selects; his opening hours are ‘whenever I feel like opening until it closes down’ (try after 9pm).
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Zebra
The coolest bars in Brussels have been established by local legend Fred Nicolay. The three on Place St Géry (Zebra, Mappa Mundo and Roi des Belges) were his first, and Zebra is the original of the originals. All three share the same traits - uncomfortable wooden garden chairs, lax service and the hippest of clientele.
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Café Belga
DJs hit the decks on Friday nights at this Art Deco bar in the Flagey ‘liner’, with ad hoc music programming on other days, such as occasional Sunday jazz. The picture windows, deck-like interior and terrace all offer primo people-watching opportunities while you sip a Belga cocktail of vodka, Canada Dry and violet syrup.
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Roi des Belges
This is one of Brussels' best summer terraces, with friendly staff and cheap snacks. It's also extremely popular, so be prepared to queue. It's owned by local entrepreneur, Frédéric Nicolay, who's responsible for transforming Place St Géry into the jumping scene it is today.
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De Ultieme Hallucinatie
For a drink or brasserie fare (like shrimps in white wine) in spectacular Art Nouveau surrounds, stop by De Ultieme Hallucinatie. Built in 1850 in neoclassical style, this bar and restaurant was transformed in 1904 into the wrought-iron-filled showpiece it remains today.
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Le Cirio
Anything but off-the-tourist-track, but still a fixture for locals sipping the signature half-and-half (half wine, half champagne), this 1886 grand café could be a film set, with lots of dark timber, glass cabinets and lighting giving it a sepia-tinged glow.
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Beursschouwburg Café
Brussels' Flemish youth love the big bold bar at their newly renovated theatre/concert hall. While not strictly speaking a club, by the wee small hours when everyone's moving it serves the same purpose, and is handily located smack in the centre of town.
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Café de l'Autobus
Old-timers' bar opposite Maison Antoine, the city's most famous friture. The owners don't mind if you demolish a cone of frites while downing a beer or two. On Sunday it's a breather for vendors from the Place Jourdan food market.
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Goupil le Fol
You can’t help falling in love, or just wishing you were, as you sip the house fruit liqueur in this romantic bar near the Grand Place. The nooks and crannies here are crammed with old records and paintings, and Brel et al croon in the background.
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King Kong Bar
With art installation–like décor throughout its lounge-style rooms, the slick King Kong Bar epitomises Antwerp’s sense of style. Finding the bathrooms takes you on a magical mystery tour up two flights of creaking wooden stairs.
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De Nieuwe Linde
Cheap beers and local artworks hung on the walls and painted on the ceiling make this a popular hangout for artists and writers. There’s good background music, if you can hear it over the animated conversations.
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Fontainas
The ripped black vinyl seats, ‘60s tables and light fittings, and cracked tiles of this ultratrendy bar provide the backdrop for locals reading newspapers by day, until the party cranks up again come nightfall.
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Bar Tabac
If this tiny Provençal bar is closed, you can be sure everywhere in Antwerp’s shut down for the night. Corral a metal table inside or a salvaged cinema seat on the terrace. Has regular DJs and drinks specials.
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De Hel
In an ornate baroque house, De Hel’s black velveteen curtains, snug banquettes and candles flickering in red glass create a romantic ambience, and a complete change from bigger, brasher student bars.
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Chez Marcel
The more things change, the more they stay the same. This old-timer’s bar is a bastion of the old Marolles spirit, serving up Cantillon gueuze, rib-sticking fare and atmosphere to spare.
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La Fleur en Papier Doré
Artists adore this out-of-the-way Marolles bar where the walls actually do talk, in a sense, by way of the sketches and scribblings of the city’s famed surrealists covering them.
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Walvis
Sounds from soul to punk to progressive rock (live, DJs or just through the speakers) play at this ubercool bar, where entry’s free, the atmosphere buzzes and staff are great.
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Au Soleil
This old clothes shop has been converted into a shabby-chic bar with good beats and surprisingly inexpensive drinks given its status as a favourite for posers in shades.
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Le Roy d'Espagne
Sit and sip (pricey beers) the splendour of the Grand Place in this former guildhouse. And, yes, those are inflated dried pigs' bladders above your head.
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Falstaff
An Art Nouveau vision of mirrors and glass worth a visit for at least one drink.
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