More than its cultural life or its architectural heritage, it is the conviviality of its inhabitants and the animation of its nightlife that make the reputation of Brussels.
Our activity: Visit and tasting of Brussels Beers
Here are some of the bars that we recommend to take full advantage of your Brussels evenings.
One thing is certain, your outings will be punctuated by encounters, impromptu concerts and the joie de vivre that characterizes the city so well. A real joy !
Downtown
In the center, we advise you to try the two estaminets in the rue du marché aux herbes, just behind the main square.
"Au bon vieux temps" and "à l'image de Notre Dame" are located at the end of a narrow cul-de-sac which is accessed through a small door. Traditional decor and friendly atmosphere for these traditional and popular cafes.
As everywhere in Belgium, you are offered to accompany your beer with cubes of abbey cheese that you will sprinkle with celery salt.
Still in the center, the fashionable place to go out is around the Place Saint Géry. Between "the king of the Belgians", the "Zebra", and the many restaurants and cafes in the surrounding streets, you will be spoiled for choice to drink a good beer, listen to a concert or dance.
These bars usually have a heated terrace overlooking the street. Anyway, the Belgians are all out at night, even in winter…
Neighborhood bars
In my opinion, the best way to really appreciate the atmosphere of the bars in Brussels is to get out of the center and look for a real neighborhood bar.
My favorite in this category is the "Stoumelinks" bar on rue de Londres, where the popular intergenerational atmosphere, the little improvised concert, and perhaps also the "Malheur" beer at 10° made me spend an evening exceptional.
In the Marolles district, on the place du jeu de balle, I recommend the Brocante café and its friendly atmosphere. Population mixed with tourists and local regulars.
It is particularly pleasant to go there on Sunday afternoon to enjoy concerts of gypsy music or jazz after a stroll in the flea market in the square. If you're feeling peckish, you can order daily specials and Belgian dishes.
Another bar appreciated by the people of Brussels, the Café Belga, place Flagey. Located in the town of Ixelles opposite the ponds, this large, completely non-smoking café attracts all the inhabitants of the district in a very lively atmosphere.
In the same district, the bars (like the ultimate atom) and restaurants of Place Boniface are also popular with locals.
And the Eurocrats?
Yes, yes, they too have their neighborhood bars! Their favorite spot is Place du Luxembourg, just opposite the European Parliament.
Entirely surrounded by bars that overflow all over the square in the evening, a short getaway around 18:30 p.m. when leaving work is worth the detour. You can also go to the bars, restaurants and snack bars in the streets surrounding the Shuman roundabout.
This will allow you to get an idea of the atmosphere that reigns in this district and to reincarnate a little your idea of Europe. You will hear all the languages spoken around you and spend a pleasant evening with the expats of Brussels.
