Entertainment in Bruges
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Du Phare
Tucked into the remains of one of Bruges' original town gates, this off-the-beaten-track tavern serves up huge portions of couscous (and offers free bread, a rarity in Belgium). But Du Phare is best known for its live blues/jazz sessions - check the website for dates. Bus 4 stops out the front.
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L'estaminet
With its weighty dark-timber beams, low lighting, fabulous scratchy background jazz and convivial clatter, this neighbourhood café scarcely seems to have changed since it opened in 1900. It's primarily a drinking spot but also serves time-honoured dishes like spaghetti bolognaise with a baked cheese crust. Summer sees its loyal following flow onto the front terrace.
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De Republiek
Set around a courtyard, this big, buzzing space is a favourite with Bruggelingen (Bruges locals), located in the same smart premises as the art-house movie theatre, Cinema Lumière. DJs hit the decks on Friday and Saturday nights and there's also a great range of well-priced meals, including vegetarian options, available until midnight.
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'T Poatersgat
Look carefully for the concealed hole in the wall and follow the staircase down into this cross-vaulted cellar glowing with ethereal pure-white lights and flickering candles. 'T Poatersgat (which translates from the local dialect as 'the Monk's Hole') has 120 Belgian beers on the menu, including a smashing selection of Trappists.
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Concertgebouw
Bruges' stunning 21st-century concert hall is the work of architects Paul Robbrecht and Hilde Daem and takes its design cues from the city's three famous towers and red bricks. Theatre, classical music and dance are regularly staged. The tourist office is situated at street level.
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Cactus Muziekcentrum
Though small, this is the city's top venue for contemporary and world music, both live bands and international DJs. It also organises festivals including July's Cactus Music Festival (www.cactusfestival.be), held in the Minnewater park at the southern edge of the old city.
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Joey's Café
These days Joey's is run by Stevie, who performs with local band Cajun Moon and consequently, this dark, intimate bar is a gathering spot for Bruges' musos. You can sometimes catch live music here (call to check dates), or chill out with a creamy Stevie cocktail any time.
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De Garre
This tiny beer-specialist pub packs 'em in for its exclusive Tripel de Garre beer. It's hidden in a narrow cul-de-sac between the Markt and the Burg and is notoriously hard to find; look for the gate on the side of the building.
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Café Vlissinghe
Luminaries have frequented Bruges' oldest pub since it first opened its doors in 1515. The interior is gorgeously preserved but in summer the best seats are in the shady garden where you can play boules in between sips.
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Cambrinus
Traditional Belgian and Italian-inspired snacks, as well as good-value lunch and dinner menus help soak up the hundreds of varieties of beer at this 17th-century sculpture-adorned brasserie/pub.
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Brugs Beertje
Legendary throughout Bruges, Belgium and beyond for its hundreds of Belgian brews, this cosy brown café is filled with old advertising posters and locals who are part of the furniture.
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Cinema Lumière
Just a couple of blocks back from the Markt, this art-house cinema screens a well-chosen programme of foreign films in their original languages and is home to the Cinema Novo Film Festival.
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Retsin's Lucifernum
Behind the door of this private home (ring the bell) lies an otherworldly candlelit bar serving potent rum cocktails and a live band playing Latin American music. Arrive early to get in.
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De Windmolen
Quaint corner café overlooking St Janshuismolen in St Anna. A fitting port o' call for a drink after visiting the windmills or nearby Guido Gezellemuseum.
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Celtic Ireland
Offers pints of draught Guinness and live music (rock, jazz or blues) on Friday and/or Saturday evenings from 22:00 (every night in summer).
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Est Wijnbar
Tidy wine bar with a pleasant summer terrace and live music - jazz, blues, boogie or folk - every Sunday from 19:30.
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Top
A cool little bar that opens late and moves until morning. The décor's cool, stark and bland.
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