Fun and entertainment Belgium

The tradition of puppet shows dates back to the^17th-century ban on Dutch-language theaters, whose plays displeased the Spanish authorities. The show, reduced to its miniature, derisive and sarcastic actors, was performed in cellars. The Théâtre de Toone strives to keep alive the spirit of the puppet theaters of yesteryear, popular in the old Netherlands. The plays are now performed in French, with a sprinkling of Brussels expressions, while remaining understandable to French speakers.

Located at the end of an open courtyard, Pot au Lait, with its charming terrace, is a must. It's a real pleasure to be with a group, even if the place is noisy. Between alternative and reggae music, the decor is completely crazy and changing, and you mingle with the many students whose university is just a stone's throw away. A must-see at least once! For a touch of nostalgia, remember that the "Pot" was one of the very first cybercafés in the country... a genre that no one under twenty could possibly know!

To set itself apart, this "wine shop - wine bar - tasting room - tapas bar" offers a huge range of wines covering all the bases: grands crus, small producers, world wines... The assortment makes you dizzy even before you've had a sip. You can also buy like a wine merchant (700 wines, 150 beers, 150 spirits), taste at the bar from a choice of fifteen or so, or pay a corkage fee for whole bottles. And if you're there at lunchtime, the menu, which goes beyond tapas, is not to be sniffed at.

Located just around the corner from Place Flagey, Le Pantin is well worth a visit. You'll find a fine list of beers to warm you up in winter, as well as a selection of teas. The decor may show its age, but that's part of the charm of this bar, far removed from the trendy café codes found in the area. The place is also a gathering place for chess and board game enthusiasts. Le Pantin celebrated its 40th anniversary in 2023, and while JM, who opened the establishment, drops in from time to time, it's Tom, the son (after his sister Liza) who runs the bar.

Next to the eponymous brewery, which produces the famous Brugse Zot, a tasty lager, there's a tavern and restaurant where you can sample a wide range of beers. But also regional and seasonal dishes of beer specialties (such as pork cheeks with Brugse Zot Double), around a roaring fire in winter. Everything is homemade, and the menu changes every month. The terrace offers a relaxing break in fine weather, while the beautiful panoramic view of Bruges from the third floor and the store are its main assets.

This astonishing ^18th-century estaminet was a den of Belgian surrealism in the 1950s and 1960s. Today, it lives on its memories, with a decor that mixes poems, collages, portraits and evidence of Jacques Brel's occasional visits. A magnificent place defended body and soul by an essentially Flemish clientele from Brussels. "Het Goudbloemmeke in Papier" is the translation. The pandemic almost killed off La Fleur, but here it is, flourishing, thanks in part to the young operators of Brasserie Verschueren.

The people of Liège are aware of this and prove that arthouse cinema is far from being reserved for an elite. Defending the works of Kusturica, Almodovar, the Dardenn brothers and many others is essential for independent programmers! Today, the Park has become a must. It is a place of reflection, emotion, encounters, dreams, escape and entertainment for the greatest number. Some films can even be viewed free of charge (pre-registration) and sometimes followed by a debate with the producer.

Open every day, although not as early as it used to be, La Brocante has retained all its old bistro cachet, with its period tiling and wooden furniture. Historic locals mingle with antiques enthusiasts and tourists on the prowl. For sustenance (flea markets make you hungry), you can order a sandwich, a croque, a salad or a sausage stoemp. Or simply drink a beer (there are around a hundred to choose from, including excellent gueuzes and krieks) and enjoy the atmosphere of Les Marolles, the soul of Brussels.

You like auteur films but don't sulk at quality Hollywood films? Le Sauvenière cleverly combines the two, and selects "general public" films while favouring auteur films. Moreover, the place itself is not unpleasant and rather design. Indeed, his brewery has been designed in a welcoming and very arty spirit, in line with the spirit of cinema, and organizes concerts (see the online program). There is also an outdoor terrace where you can watch open-air (and free) movies on Saturdays in the summer.

Little Delirium is a bar located in Le Brasseur, Brussels. It offers an incredible selection of over 2,000 beers, making it a veritable paradise for beer lovers. In terms of decoration, the bar is adorned with objects linked to the world of brewing, creating a warm, authentic atmosphere.

Next to the cathedral, this tavern-restaurant is located in authentic 15th century cellars. Classical music plays in the background as you sit around large, friendly tables or in nooks and crannies. A leap of several centuries back in time! You can go there for a drink (the menu has 25 draught beers, more than 100 bottles and good wines), or for lunch or dinner. Either tapas to share, or traditional Flemish dishes modernized, such as rabbit with prunes in bacon with Westmalle Dubbel Trappist beer.

If you have to be one, push the door of this very reputable bar. A Bruges café like before, a real, pure one with coasters in every corner, old advertising posters, glasses, sacred bottles and ... more than three hundred kinds of beer à la carte. You will be spoilt for choice when it comes to tasting the local malted specialities which can be accompanied by mixed boards. Young, old, other people and tourists come together in this authentic place with a lively Bruges soul.

Housed in a 17th century baroque chapel, this contemporary art centre presents an eclectic programme in which dance, theatre and visual arts play the leading roles. The place has an irregular program, but it allows to have an idea of the new trends. The bar is open from 6pm onwards on the evenings of the shows and it is possible to eat (dish of the day or assortment of cheeses, cold cuts or vegans), preferably with a reservation. Not to be confused with the eponymous restaurant Les Brigittines, which has been open for years, just a few steps away.

Press the Archi's doorbell and enter another world where nothing, apart from the customers' attire, has changed since the 1930s: architecture, decor and comfortable original Art Deco armchairs that invite visitors to lounge around sipping a pisco sour. In 1953, jazz pianist Stan Brenders took over the establishment. His piano is still there, as are the jazz concerts, every weekend in the late afternoon. In the evenings, a motley crew gathers here, and after a certain hour, it's time to dance. L'Archi is a Brussels legend!

Not far from Korenmarkt, the Missy Sippy (note the pun in reference to the blues) is a café-concert very recommendable for its live music programming, very regular. For its very local and relaxed atmosphere, you enjoy talking with people, leaning at the bar or on the beautiful outdoor terrace. The decoration is that of a jazz bar, with glamorous photos of the great masters and jazz divas. We enjoy frequent concerts of jazz, blues, jam, roots and swing.

The Concertgebouw is a center for music and the performing arts, dedicated to the development and presentation of art on an international level. It focuses on contemporary music and dance. With its sound factory (an interactive space for sound art) and its visual art collection, the Concertgebouw invites active discovery of contemporary art. Each season, the Concertgebouw presents established names such as Bach Academie Brugge, Jazz Brugge, Budapest Festival, December Dance and More Music. When not performing, you can also visit the Concertgebouw.

Blend is both a wine bar and a wine shop. The kind of place where one comes to pay tribute to Bacchus in a friendly and warm atmosphere. The knowledgeable advice of the staff will delight wine lovers and/or the most curious, as the assortment is wide. A selection of famous wines and promising new ones that you can discover around tapas and beautiful boards of Italian cold cuts. A quality address and a very friendly welcome. Moreover, there are two other Blends in Antwerp and Ghent!

Exhibitions, concerts, think tanks and shows are on the programme of this multicultural venue. Just a stone's throw from Place Flagey, the theatre is dedicated to the pleasures of the mind and mouth. At the Bar du Marni, the show is associated with a local restaurant to prolong a mixed experience on the plate (Luka, le Patio, Wok Minute... and we're forgetting!). A nice idea to attract epicureans of all kinds. The Marni also offers dance, jazz, concerts and shows for children. No time to get bored!

Decorated like a Texas saloon, this bar stands out in the Liège landscape with its horse-saddle stools and kitsch decor. It's always packed when it's time for concerts of country, rockabilly, rock'n'roll and other cowboy music. It's known for its wild atmosphere until the early hours of the morning. You don't have to wait long to see dancers clinging to the bar's pole dance bars! Try the Gold Rush, a cocktail to share with friends, and the Clint Eastwood, a spicy shot for real tough guys. Yyyhaaa !

A must for night owls! Marvin Gaye is not far away: this was his favorite bar when he was exiled to Ostend. In fact, the decor is dedicated to him, with large black-and-white photos of him hanging on the walls. An atmospheric bar where beers, wines and cocktails dress up the nights in their finest colors. You can chat and dance to the rhythms of soul, r'n'b, jazz and funk, masterfully distilled by the permanent DJ, who has a fine ear for music. It's the place to go to extend the evening.

The eponymous hotel's "Café Marcel" is a very central spot, distinguished by its trendy setting, with refreshing bamboo, large landscape photos on the wall and convivial tables. It's like being at home here, by the contemporary decorative fireplace, on retro but studied armchairs. Superb breakfast and lunch menus. Also ideal for a tea break or an afterwork tapas aperitif. A warm, modern atmosphere, a pleasant terrace just as carefully decorated, and smart cocktails to get the evening off to a good start.

Mischievous-looking trolls (not garden gnomes!) give this little café a special atmosphere. Candles, brick walls, huge mirrors tarnished by time, exposed beams and classical music create a pleasant and unusual intimate atmosphere. On draught, you'll find Trollebier (the trolls' beer), either blond or dark. A must-try, of course, but there are almost 300 regional beers on tap too! The Hibiscus Goose, for example, was delicious! Pleasant outdoor terrace on the cobblestones.

During the Second World War, the building was used as an underground location by the Resistance. It has kept this rebellious side embodied today by an artistic, bohemian, young and sometimes penniless population. The establishment was founded by Louis Verschueren in 1880! Its old café décor, with its post-war counter and its small canteen tables, makes it an important place in the life of Saint-Gilles, often full to bursting. One comes there to taste a beer, to read while drinking a coffee, to meet with friends and to remake the world.

Theater, cinema, festivals, concerts, contemporary dance, circus... Tickets Last Minute offers even more democratic access to Brussels culture. This last-minutesystem offers tickets at up to 50% off for all these types of events, as long as you visit the box office or their website. Once on the Visit Brussels Agenda page, click on the Last Minute Tickets filter, and the discount is granted directly, since the venues offer a specific number of tickets to TLM customers.

An exceptional caberdouche in the heart of Brussels, opposite the church of the same name and next to the Grand Place. And yet it's the opposite of a tourist trap, both in terms of the welcome and the menu. It's the ideal place to immerse yourself in Brussels culture, relax after a day's sightseeing or simply enjoy a good beer with friends. The choice is vast and the prices very reasonable. A must-visit for anyone looking to capture the soul of Brussels. Add it to your list of must-sees for an authentic stay.

One of the capital's friendliest theaters, with no holds barred in the register of "Belgian-style" derision, comedy - from the lightest to the grittiest - reigns supreme. The PASS TTO offers a choice of 4, 6 or 10 performances, for one or more people. The redesigned ResTTo space revisits the dürum and offers it stuffed to almost any taste. Please note that reservations are required and the restaurant opens at 6.30pm. Various formulas allow you to combine laughter with a birthday party, team building or, more simply, bubbles with a meal.

When a specialist, a snoop in search of the best wines for over 30 years, decides to open his own wine bar, you can only expect the best. Christophe offers a fine selection of his favorites, and the quality is top-notch. He'll know how to advise you so that your visit to this cosy nest in the center of Liège leaves you with unforgettable memories. In addition to the quality of the welcome and the wines on offer, we fell in love with the upstairs lounge, the perfect place to catch up on old times with a few mates and a few bottles from behind the scenes.

Ready to take a cocktail world tour from Bruges? This is the trendy place to sip these sweet treats. Behind a historic façade lies an elegant interior with a hushed ambience, inviting us to make ourselves comfortable in the satin armchairs. The stars here are the Ghost colors based on gin and IPA beer with lemon and ginger syrup, and the Zombi with its 3 rums and deliciously tangy notes of pineapple, lime and passion fruit. The ingredients are all fresh and the balance of flavors respected.

Born of crowdfunding, the Company set up its tanks in 2017 in the Het Eilandje district, the oldest port area. ABC prides itself on being Antwerp's only independent brewery. Respectful of the environment, it focuses on all re-use possibilities and uses 100% green electricity. The brewery produces Seef, a blond, cloudy beer whose origins date back to the ^16th century. Come and taste it on site among the vats. You can also eat here!

DeDingen is a place with vintage decor and good, healthy, inexpensive food. Here, it's "à la bonne franquette". The meats and vegetables are beautifully combined with seeds and herbs, and you can feel the mastery of discipline in the kitchen. Afternoons are reserved for snacks, and on weekend evenings, it transforms into a café where you can sample beers from microbreweries. Bonus: a trendy retro ambience, with school chairs, architect's lamps, antique radios and second-hand furniture. A real favorite.

The Forum is an Art Deco-style jewel in the heart of the Cité Ardente. The venue has played host to some of the world's finest voices, from Jacques Brel and Léo Ferré to Louis Armstrong, Ray Charles and Miles Davis, as well as Barbara, Édith Piaf, Charles Aznavour, Julien Clerc and many others. Comedians also have their place on the Forum stage: Fernandel, Fernand Reynaud, Guy Bedos, Coluche, Les Inconnus and Jamel have all performed on this legendary Liege stage, which celebrates its 100th anniversary in 2022.

While brewing at Deca's Woeste facility until 2005, Nino Bacelle and Guido Devos then crossed the language border to establish their facilities in Dottignies, near Mouscron. At De Ranke, the importance of hops is not negligible. Hop extracts are out of the question. Here, we use real hop cones from Poperinge and Warneton. Their reputation is well established, and in their tap room you can try out their XX Bitter, Noir de Dottignies or Guldenberg, a typical abbey beer.

A must for all lovers of Duvel queen beer: the Duvelorium is located just above the Historium. This bar specializes in Belgian beers. Enjoy a moment of relaxation in a medieval tavern, and try the astonishing tastings combining beers and pralines. You can also choose another beer from the extensive menu. To be tasted on site or sold in the boutique. Gift sets with bottle and collector's glass are also available. Plus: the panoramic terrace overlooking the market square.

The Cambrinus is one of those breweries in the historic center that is a must for any beer lover. The menu details a long list of more than 400 references, with, in particular, a nice list of Christmas beers in season. Also on the menu, a very Belgian brewery menu with some dishes prepared with beer such as rabbit with prunes or fish cassolette, real delights. Warm atmosphere of the room where a light smell of hops floats. Ideal for a good-natured stopover. Warm welcome.

Bonnefooi ("by chance" in the local dialect...) is defined as a dance bar with DJ sets every opening night and free concerts on Wednesdays and Sundays, to the delight of a young audience. Local artists of all stripes perform here, and many international stars have also made a name for themselves. Enchanting setting and intoxicating music of all kinds (electronic, jazz...)... open until 8 a.m. on weekends! Upstairs, you can privatize the entire restaurant (50 pers. minimum) or reserve a few tables.

A cultural hub and musical Mecca, the Jazz Station is a unique venue devoted to jazz, established in a fully restored former railway station. Experienced music lovers and the curious alike will be delighted. Courses on the history and understanding of jazz, public rehearsals and exhibitions, jazz concerts several days a week, a jazz club, a snack bar and a bar are just some of the attractions of this convivial, unifying space, which is also the voluntary refuge of Soirs d'Hortense, one Wednesday a month.

For some years now, the former Théâtre de la Place has been housed in the magnificent building of the prestigious Société libre de l'Émulation. Over the years, the Théâtre de Liège has acquired an international reputation. Its director, Serge Rangoni, has made a major contribution to the reputation of the institution, which constantly highlights Belgian and French-language creation. In fact, it co-produces shows orchestrated by the greatest stage directors and collaborates with contemporary choreographers, who also make the reputation of this creative venue.

This cramped café is housed in one of the oldest houses in the city. Indeed, the facade bears the date 1228. But then why the name? Well because in the time of its commercial and industrial hegemony, Ghent traded with the Turks! The simple and sober decor has the atmosphere of popular places. Attended by many regulars, it is an ideal bar for chatting while enjoying a good mousse. You can choose from a fine selection of beers, including some famous Trappist beers, whiskies and why not a brandy.

Located in the Imagix cinema complex, Brasse-Temps is more than just a tavern-restaurant, it's also a microbrewery. The beers are brewed on site by Brasserie Dubuisson, the owner of the premises and "inventor" of the concept, which is also available in Froyennes (Tournai) and Charleroi. The catering, a "Parisian brasserie" style with local accents, is prepared by Moresto catering and adapted to the various house beers.....

The bistro offers a careful selection of Belgian craft beers and monthly promotions from other European countries. You can even find American beers! About forty beers are available on draught, including the Brussels faro, lambic and kriek, which are drawn with a hand pump. As an accompaniment, we let ourselves be tempted by one of the organic snacks and light meals, in a chic and relatively contemporary setting. Its reputation is almost unquestionable, if only to distinguish it from its big sister in Saint-Gilles.

A great place in a contemporary setting, ideal for a drink with friends or a tête-à-tête... before or after a film at the Sauvenière cinema. Or simply when you feel like it. The drinks menu is very comprehensive, including many organic wines and a range of pékèts. If you're hungry, don't hesitate to order one of the dishes from the à la carte menu or the suggestion board - they're delicious! As the chef is a vegetarian, there's no shortage of vegetarian options. Les Grignoux also has its own beer... eponymous and beautifully amber.

Georges Goffart was at the counter of Georges Café since its creation in 1993. The sanitary crisis and the floods have had their way with the establishment but not with its emblematic owner who had already bounced back with his superb Gorgées... On the menu, a lot of Belgian beers, including about twenty on tap, as well as rare beers.

A true benchmark for the whole of Brabant-Wallon! This vast 150^m2 space houses a large counter featuring twelve beers on tap (ten of which are fixed) and a long list of two hundred Belgian beers (as well as seasonal beers, which are by their very nature ephemeral). The highly professional team offers advice to the undecided. The premises regularly host small, spontaneous concerts: all in keeping with the pop-rock ambience of this bistro, which attracts both passing beer lovers and local students.