Must see entertainment in Brussels

  • L

    Top Choice

    L’Archiduc

    This intimate, split-level art deco bar has been playing jazz since 1937. It’s an unusual, two-tiered circular space that can get incredibly packed but…

  • Top Choice

    Music Village

    A polished 100-seat jazz venue housed in two 17th-century buildings with dinner (not compulsory) available from 7pm and concerts starting at 8.30pm or 9pm…

  • Top Choice

    Théâtre Royal de Toone

    Eight generations of the Toone family have staged classic puppet productions in the Bruxellois dialect at this endearing marionette theatre, a highlight…

  • B

    Top Choice

    BOZAR

    This celebrated classical-music space is home to the National Orchestra and Philharmonic Society. From the outside, the Horta-designed 1928 art deco…

  • C

    Top Choice

    Cinematek

    In a wing of the BOZAR cultural centre, the modern and stylish Cinematek includes a little museum where you can browse archives and memorabilia. The real…

  • S

    Top Choice

    Sounds Jazz Club

    A small and unassuming but immensely popular Ixelles venue, Sounds has concerts most nights, with styles varying from modern to big band to salsa. The…

  • C

    Top Choice

    Cinéma Galeries

    Inside the graceful, glassed-over Galeries St-Hubert, this art deco beauty concentrates on foreign and art-house films. An authentic Brussels movie…

  • AB

    The AB’s two auditoriums are favourite venues for mid-level international rock bands and acts such as Jools Holland and Madeleine Peyroux, plus plenty of…

  • A

    Art Base

    One of the best little venues in town for music fans with eclectic tastes. It resembles someone’s living room, but the programming is first rate, and it’s…

  • B

    Bizon

    A happening little grunge bar in St-Géry featuring home-grown live blues, a range of beers and a selection of jenevers (gin). Located on a street of…

  • J

    Jazz Station

    An appealing venue in an 1885 former station. There are also exhibitions, a multimedia jazz archive and practice rooms, where you can listen in on…

  • C

    Cabaret Mademoiselle

    Burlesque and brassy, Cabaret Mademoiselle is a new venue that combines drag, circus and comedy, served up with some first-rate Belgian beers.

  • F

    Flagey

    Ixelles’ stylish flagship venue in an art deco liner-esque building has several concert halls and an eclectic music policy.

  • L

    Le Botanique

    Cultural centre, exhibition hall and concert venue incorporating an 1826 glass verandah. Overlooks the botanical gardens.

  • Cinema Nova

    The ultimate in alternative cinema, Nova shows off-beat international movies that are more thought-provoking than entertaining (subtitles will be French…

  • Beursschouwburg

    Offers a diverse mix of contemporary music including rock, jazz, rap and disco. The café feels like a free club on weekend nights.

  • Maison de la Bellone

    The glass-vaulted courtyard of this 18th-century stunner is used for occasional concerts.

  • Kaaitheater

    Bastion of Flemish avant-garde theatre located in a distinctive 1932 building.

  • B

    Brass’Art

    Sitting on the long Place Communale in the predominately Arab and African Molenbeek district, this simple and hugely inviting bar-café is run by…