Bar entertainment in Belgium
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A
'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 21:00).
There are plans to expand the pub to accommodate Lieven's collection of antique bikes; the expansion is scheduled to be complete in 2010, Het Velootje's 25-year anniversary.
To find the pub, walk north along Oudburg until you see a pile of j…
reviewed
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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).
reviewed
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B
Het Waterhuis aan de Bierkant
Staff with a true passion for beer serve over 140 brews in Waterhuis' cosy interior and on its sprawling riverside terrace. Exclusive house brews include a knock-out amber Klokke Roeland (11% alcohol and often drunk as a nightcap; with a limit of three per person) and a blonde Gandavum Dry Hopping (7.5% and quite possibly the best beer this author's ever tasted). Unmissable.
reviewed
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C
La Maison du Pékèt
Directly behind the Hôtel de Ville, the bar La Maison du Pékèt keeps the beer and gin humming. They serve over 250 different pékèts in tall glasses: natural, with fruit or flambé. Or if you like there are shots of older, delicious-but-deadly varieties poured from pottery bottles. Happy punters indeed.
reviewed
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D
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.
reviewed
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E
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.
reviewed
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Trollekelder
Wide-eyed furry trolls peep out from unlikely places throughout this old stone-walled watering hole, such as from behind iron-barred cells in the cave-like cellar. Trollekelder manages to be atmospheric without being contrived, as evidenced by the devoted following drinking its blonde and dark Trollebier (troll beer).
reviewed
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F
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.
reviewed
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G
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.
reviewed
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H
Fish & Chips
Antwerp's club scene begins with smooth lounges featuring in-house DJs and ends with high-octane house parties. The scene melds permanent with one-off in a mix that holds both mainstream and alternative. Trance and experimental electronica are big - pick up fliers at Fish & Chips .
reviewed
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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.
reviewed
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J
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.
reviewed
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K
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.
reviewed
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L
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.
reviewed
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M
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.
reviewed
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N
Taverne à Pilori
This packed-out pub attracts all ages and seems to never close. Underneath its wooden beams, punters can choose from a bewildering range of beers. There's outdoor seating if it gets too busy inside; and it probably will.
reviewed
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O
King Kong Bar
With art installation-like decor throughout its lounge-style rooms, this slick bar epitomises Antwerp's sense of style. Finding the bathrooms takes you on a magical mystery tour up two flights of creaking wooden stairs.
reviewed
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P
Domus
Old-fashioned ale house attached to a rambling brewery where several tasty beers are brewed - try the Nostra Domus (amber beer with 5.8% alcohol and a light, smoky taste) or ConDomus (5% alcohol and bitter flavour).
reviewed
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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.
reviewed
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Q
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.
reviewed
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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.
reviewed
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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.
reviewed
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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.
reviewed
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R
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.
reviewed
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S
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.
reviewed
