Fun and entertainment Belgium

Quite simply the biggest escape game in town! Push open the door of this English tailor shop (a nod to Kingsman?) and receive your mission orders. You are agents of Lord Ravenswood, head of a secret network protecting the world: prevent a missile launch in an old Soviet submarine, find a precious object stolen from the Oval Office or infiltrate a bioterrorism lab in Tokyo, you have the choice. The immersion is total and bluffing. Your team will have 70 minutes to foil these Machiavellian plans!

It's not surprising that you'll find plates of excellent charcuterie (and cheeses) at the "Bar Boucher". And that's what you need to accompany the dozens of craft beers, including 15 " van het tap " (on draught). What this pocket bar doesn't have in size, it makes up for with its menu. And the menu does not discriminate between Belgian, Scottish, German or French beers, as long as they are good. If you don't know which one to choose, ask David (aka Dave) for advice and he will help you with a smile.

On the banks of the Meuse, this friendly little bar seems to have been forgotten by the passage of time. With its well-kept old caberdouche decor and the electric train circuit that makes its rounds high up, it's like being in another dimension! The name of the establishment means "a little home" in Lëtzebuergesch, the native language of the owner. We come here to drink good Belgian beers and catch up with other customers, often regulars. Terrace with incredible view of the Citadelle and the Grognon.

L'Antiquaire had a fine nose when it opened its bar in 2019! Right across from the entrance to the brand-new cable car and on a newly refurbished and pedestrianized Place Maurice Servais, it doesn't get much uglier for such an establishment. L'Antiquaire focuses on three areas: cocktails, spirits and high-end beers. As beautiful as they are good, the former are classic, sunny or creative (Mojito, Sex on the beach, Mexico '86, Elixir du Gisou...) but always beautifully presented. The interior is classy, but the terrace is a must.

Right in the Marolles district, on Place du Jeu de Balle, Mazette is one of Brussels' newest microbreweries. This cooperative brews its own beers on site, and makes its own softs (lemonade, kombucha...) and bread for use in its bar-café. Warm, lively and open to the neighborhood, Mazette is also a meeting place for local players in Les Marolles. As for the beers, they're all about lightness (with a preference for Drèche, an IPA or Suur de Bruxelles), but you can also eat here, and very well, with homemade, seasonal cuisine.

Set in a motley brocante of bric-a-brac, but where everything is for sale, Chez ta mère is a troquet of a kind never before seen in Charleroi, brimming with family souvenirs and kitsch knick-knacks. On Friday evenings, the whole town gathers here for an aperitif that often goes on for a long time. Themed evenings follow one another with as much originality as good humor. Discoveries too, like Brune du Pays Noir on the barrel. In short, Chez Ta Mère is your guarantee of a different, unformatted experience.

The Saint-Hu'Bar is the place to be for beer lovers: the bar offers a choice of draughts and bottles of almost a hundred references! For the undecided, the staff will be happy to help you discover local specialties. The vintage advertising panels for the beers serve as a directory or menu. The atmosphere is warm, friendly and lively. We recommend that you accompany your tasting on the terrace with a plate of cold cuts and cheese.

Right in the middle of the square, where a superb kiosk takes pride of place, this local bar stands out from the crowd. In an old-fashioned bistro atmosphere, locals and workers from nearby offices come here for a bite to eat, a coffee or one of the fifty beers on the blackboard. Among the speciality hops are many from Brussels (Grosse Bertha, Delta, Zinnebir...), gueuzes and krieks, Trappist beers and Ginette. The brick walls support a warm, vintage decor. Beautiful garden at the rear.

Located in the prestigious Steigenberger Icon Wiltcher's on Avenue Louise in Brussels, Loui Cocktail Bar & Restaurant is a must for lovers of cocktails and fine cuisine. With its intimate atmosphere and elegant decor, it offers visitors a unique experience. The bar offers a wide selection of creative cocktails prepared by talented mixologists, while the restaurant features a reinterpretation of Belgian classics by Michelin-starred chef Kevin Lejeune.

The Dulle Griet is a large red wrought-iron cannon from the ^15th century, which was used during the Hundred Years' War and is on display right next to the bar (on Vrijdagmarkt). Every month, a different beer is featured, and to celebrate, you can drink two for the price of one! To enjoy your froth, you can choose between the terrace on the pedestrian square, or one of the three rooms, decorated with old advertisements for beer brands, mugs, glasses... This temple of beer offers some 260 references.

One nothing except city, for fans of commercial cinema. Always in VO.

Gay disco present for 30 years in Ghent, always with the same bosses. An institution!

Classical music concerts. Located in the abbey.

Very well-known theatre company offering quality performances (only in Flemish).

Welcome to a beer-lover's paradise! Over seven hundred beers await you in this establishment, which has been going strong since 1979. Some are simply impossible to find anywhere else, and some bottles are over thirty years old... The most daring, or true fans, will venture to taste the famous EKU 28, also known as Kulminator 28, one of the strongest beers in the world (28°), to which this place owes its name. For a long time, this was the only Belgian brewery to import this strong beverage... A true institution.

The Antwerp locations of Opera Ballet Vlaanderen remain the best places to go to see a classical or contemporary opera or ballet in Belgium. Moreover, Antwerp boasts the most prestigious ballet school in the country. After the departure of the famous choreographer Sidi Larbi Cherkaoui for Geneva, Ballet Vlaanderen is entering a new era with artistic director Jan Vandenhouwe and three associate artists, including Anne Teresa De Keersmaeker. This is a guarantee of quality for a company that is open to the world.

Large film complex in the city centre with 17 rooms and 3 800 seats.

The largest film complex in the city with a capacity of 8 500 places. Located outside, in the northern part of the city.

Just a stone's throw from the Museum of Fine Arts, this pleasant place to visit day and night is very popular with the people of Antwerp. It's named after the American painter Edward Hopper, who used to sketch atmospheres like this one. The clientele is young, a little arty, very hype, and there are regular jazz concerts every Sunday and Monday evening. The café opens its terrace as soon as the weather permits, on the pedestrian cobblestones and under a large, shady tree; the setting is perfect for leafing through a newspaper.

A small brown café by the docks, popular with locals and employees alike, perfect for mingling with the Antwerp locals. In the morning, you can enjoy a breakfast of croissants, while in the late afternoon, you'll appreciate the intimate atmosphere for a cup of coffee or tea. In the evening, the focus is on beer, with the region's finest malts. There's also a terrace in summer, and a glass roof if the weather turns nasty, as well as a pétanque court to stretch out afternoons with friends when the sun comes out.

Since 2018, the Croisette in Dinant is this bank on the Meuse devoted to strolling. More than 1 km long, it attracts walkers and concentrates terraces and places to relax. Among these, the Capsule is the meeting place for beer lovers. The best, Belgian, artisanal, local, Trappist, sour, bitter, IPA, fruity, on draught or in bottle: there is something for every taste and to dance the night away. Cocktail menu and platters of local cheeses and charcuterie and other tasty creations of the chef. We love it!

The former covered market Sainte-Marie, dating from the 19th century, has become an invitation to the interdisciplinarity of the arts, a commitment to a dialogue on the contemporary world, proposing an intergenerational exchange. Les Halles de Schaerbeek thus embodies the reallocation of an industrial site into a cultural structure. Located in a mixed neighbourhood, Les Halles wants to be an actor and co-author of a better social cohesion, that of their neighbourhood. Dance, circus, theatre, literature... the arts respond to each other, all with a view to the world.

Het Waterhuis aan de Bierkant is a bar-café in Ghent. It offers a wide selection of beers, both bottled and draught. Open daily from 11am to 2am. It features a terrace and table service. Customers appreciate the typical atmosphere of the place, as well as the view over the canal. The staff are welcoming and professional, and are able to advise customers on their choice of beers. Some visitors also commented on the quality of the moules frites served here. However, a few reviews mentioned an unpleasant smell in the bar. Overall, Het Waterhuis aan de Bierkant is considered a must for beer lovers in Ghent.

Very nice bar opened in the middle of the pandemic, just between the Bourse and the Saint-Nicolas church. About thirty Belgian and other beers on the menu, some spirits and a small quality restaurant to keep it all together. The decoration can be qualified as post-industrial (like a tastefully recomposed destroy), and on the ceiling, the barrels full of beers that only ask to be emptied until late in the night. It's a stone's throw from the Grand Place, the terrace is sunny and the first floor can be used for private events and parties of all kinds.

A zany little place where there's never a dull moment. The list of events includes some thirty events. In addition, collaborations with other structures continue, including Kunstenfestivaldesarts and KVS. If you've never danced with death, listened to an entire album in the dark, discussed science over cocktails or attended a podcast festival - all on the 2023-2024 program - now might be a good time to discover Atelier 210, which continues to amaze even the most discerning of audiences.

Perched above the Botanical Gardens, the Bota is one of the city's great concert halls. In fact, there are 3 of them: the Orangery, which is the main hall, the Rotunda, which by its modest size brings the audience closer to the artists who perform there, and the Witloof Bar, in the cellar, which is suitable for intimate concerts. The Bota is known for the quality of its line-ups and for its Nuits Botaniques festival, every year in May, one of the big musical events of the year. Also quality exhibition spaces and a nice bar with view on the park.

There's no other lounge bar in Spa. At least, not like Annick's, where the musical ambience is well chosen. The decor of small armchairs, pretty lighting and lots of original objects is a success. Theme evenings (Disco, Retro House...). A sort of local "place to be ", you'll feel right at home here, and you'll usually extend your evening into the middle of the night with a few beers or cocktails. For quieter moments, table soccer, billiards and even board games are at your disposal. A must at Spa.

Originally a Flemish theatre, the Beurs has gradually diversified its activities in a spirit of multicultural openness. It has become a key venue for contemporary creation in Brussels. Concerts, often by emerging artists, exhibitions and other artistic activities are often organised here. Music is omnipresent in the bar, with regular DJ sets and cutting-edge concerts. In the summer, the rooftop offers a nice alternative to the bar on the ground floor. The public is rather artistic and intellectual.

Fika is Swedish for snack break, that moment in the afternoon when everything stops for a coffee and a pastry. This is the spirit in which Joana opened her café. As you push open the door, you're transported to Stockholm or Malmö: the scent of cinnamon from the buns, the smell of good original coffee, minimalist design warmed by wood, soft colors and plants: you're in the middle of hygge ! A relaxing place to take a break from the hustle and bustle of the world. We recommend the semlor, cream buns normally eaten at Easter.

In a nice corner house in Uccle, this turtle has put his shell. And what is hidden underneath? A beautiful selection of natural wines. Here, no fuss, you have the impression of entering the home of friends (Yann and Étienne) who are waiting for you to taste their new finds. The eye is directly attracted by a wall covered with shelves and of course, bottles. All you have to do is to let yourself be advised for the choice. If wine isn't your thing, there are also beers and cocktails and nice cold cuts to nibble on.

IN-CRE-VA-BLE and as rebellious as ever, Magasin 4 continues to raise the banner of alternative music: punk, ska, funk, hardcore, experimental... Since 1994, when they were housed at 4 rue du Magasin, they've been making noise. Both a club and a concert hall, the concept is currently housed in warehouses not far from the canal in Anderlecht, although they will have to move to a permanent location some time from now. Aka Moon, Babylon Circus and Lofofora have all survived its overheated atmosphere.

Hidden in the bowels of the Galeries Louise, Bloody has made a name for itself in the few years it has been in existence. Its niche is not electronic music (although it is) but urban music (hip-hop, RnB, etc.), the dominant musical trend in this third decade of the 21st century. This is the place to go to discover emerging artists but also confirmed artists, even huge stars like Drake, Damso, Migos, Major Lazer, etc. who have already played there or organized an after party. In short, a reference in the genre.

In a corner house with its very vintage burgundy and green tiled windows, Marcelle invites you into another world. You would think you were in a Shanghai gambling joint in the 1930s. Art deco accents, decorative objects and wallpaper evoking the Orient, subdued lighting... It's a speakeasy that doesn't hide, even if Marcelle is rather discreet... when her terrace is not open. In fact, it's the perfect place for a date. Cocktails, gin and tonics and a few well-chosen beers are on the menu to accompany your trip back in time.

In the shadow of the Schaerbeek town hall, Café Colignon is still very new. It opens early for breakfast and closes at the end of the afternoon. Drop in for a coffee (from the top Ghent roaster OR), a drink and to satisfy your cravings with tasty dishes that put a smile on your face (pasta, generous toasts...) and beautiful (and good) sandwiches. Menus change weekly. The interior is simple, in the canteen spirit (white walls, wooden furniture and benches). Nice garden as a bonus.

Since the 1980's, and always under the same owner, the Belgica has been the atmosphere of Brussels' gay district. Under its old café look, it is in fact a disco bar where the public, mostly gay but not only, comes to get into the mood to the sounds of the DJ of the evening, often before going elsewhere later. Convivial, warm and overheated when it's busy, you can't miss the house speciality, the... Belgica, a lemon drink served semi-glazed. It puts the spirits back in place to continue the party!

Beer bar, but above all game bar, we come there with several people to pick among all the board games that their library has, from the good old classics to the newest ones. A host will be there to advise you and explain the rules, if you don't know them. Even better, some games are for sale, so it's an opportunity to test them before buying. The beer list is very well supplied (30 kinds) and particularity: the beer on the barrel comes from the Dubuisson brewery, which is rather rare. Pizzas and crunches for your cravings.

Nicely positioned opposite Les Étangs, what was Le Canard has become Cayuga, combining café-resto, grocery-bakery, bookshop and sales of decorative objects. Scattered around the corners of the café and in the second space are plenty of books that you'll love to leaf through before deciding to buy, and start reading straight away with a good cup of coffee or glass of wine. It also serves good brasserie cuisine. A place that fits in well with Boitsfort's bourgeois-bohemian character, and we love its terrace overlooking the water!

Initially a sort of Brussels-style Starbucks, Café Capitale has evolved with François, its owner. His love of coffee led him to start a roasting business. Original coffees, different ways of preparing them (espresso, chemex, etc.)... For lovers of coffee with milk, there is a large list of alternatives to cow's milk ? To snack, the establishment offers a nice variety of pastries, cookies, cakes, sweet pies, etc. and as coffee and music go well together, have a look at the vinyls on sale.

After returning from an expatriation in Australia, Chloé Sengier had the idea to import the concept of the "all day breakfast", serving toasts, pancakes, buddha bowls and other healthy dishes. Crème was born in the popular Rue de Rollebeek next to the Sablon. The place is superb: plant suspensions, exposed brick walls, neon lights, wooden table and rattan seats. Everything is designed to be photographed. As for the dishes, we navigate between the greediness of pancakes dripping with toppings and the "clean" side of bowls. Excellent coffees and pastries.

At the Bizon, you can order a beer but also twenty kinds of juniper and of course vodka, including the one with bison grass... bison grass, of course! With its dark and smoky old pub look, its blues and rock concerts, its sports broadcasts and its experienced bartenders, one starts to feel a certain nostalgia for this type of establishment that is resisting the lounge wave. In short, the Bizon is a bit different in this neighbourhood where the cafés tend to be a bit formatted... and that's all to the good for diversity!

The legendary club of the 1980s, this beautiful venue shining brightly is back on the city's nightlife scene. The Mirano reopened in 2019 after a delicate renovation, the building being listed. Like a phoenix, it also survived closure in 2020 and 2021. According to the intentions of owner Jérôme Blanchard, urban and electro nights are on Fridays and hip-hop on Saturdays, but this is not exclusive. It's best to check the agenda, and above all, don't miss out on the pleasure of returning to this legendary Brussels night spot!

The audiophile bar concept is coming to Brussels, just a stone's throw from Altitude 100 in Forest. It is a bar but designed to listen to music. The acoustics have been thought out, as well as the sound system, to measure. During the day, it's the vinyls of Thomas Mamakis, the boss, that turn on the turntable and we enjoy while drinking a coffee. On weekend evenings, a DJ adds to the atmosphere while you eat delicious, well-prepared dishes with natural wines. The interior is simple but the bar with its Art Deco lines steals the show.

A real institution in Ghent for its café, its concert hall and its club open on weekends. The program is varied and very dense (see the website). Comedy club, improv games, DJ funk or disco nights, one or two concerts per night of all kinds (hip-hop, RnB, house, pop, techno, punk, afrobeat, but also alternative currents: pop-acid, tropical tribal, soukous, synthwave...) names that will evoke something for sharp ears in search of eclectic alternative sounds.

Le Grand Café is in the tradition of these fine boulevard brasseries. For centuries, it has boasted a magnificent terrace with a breathtaking view over the Bourse and the pedestrian precinct. This venerable establishment is a restaurant, but above all it's a café with a pleasant decor, all the more so as during the 2020 confinement, the whole place was given a facelift and its magnificent awning was restored. A classic menu, with moules-frites of course, steaks and other meats, savory waffles, a wonderful sauerkraut in winter and many other dishes.

The conviviality of the Daringman is well established! The house dates back to 1942 and is said to have been home to a boxing club, Daring Brussels, in the 1950s and 1960s. Since 2000, Martine has been at the helm. A typical Brussels corner café, where Dutch-speaking and French-speaking people drink together. Sort of thebruincafé of our Dutch neighbors, the place is tiny but its reputation has made it a veritable institution. You go there as if you were visiting old friends, and commune over the divine beverage with other beer brothers.

A place, an atmosphere, almost a legend! Always on the lookout for new international discoveries in the field of contemporary shows (theatre, dance, music), Le 140 is a performance venue renowned for its bold programming. The biggest names on the international artistic scene have performed there. The theatre has been a precursor for surprising, innovative or irreverent shows. Conviviality is not an empty word, the public as well as the artists are always used to meet at the theatre bar.

A very pretty, slightly bohemian bar located in a former boutique on a street known for its fine stores, you'll immediately feel at home at Paula's. Sit in an armchair, near one of the large windows for a reading break. Sitting in an armchair, near one of the large windows for a reading break around a pedestal table, or upstairs for a breathtaking view of the room. Come for a coffee, an aperitif, a beer or a cocktail in the evening. If you're feeling hungry, the house specialty is hot dogs, but deluxe ones, filled to the brim with vegetables, sauce... Vegetarian versions are also available.

Who would have thought it? A club has been set up in Boitsfort! Called La Cabane, this club is indeed a large wooden structure divided into 3 spaces: an intimate bar, a bohemian style terrace to take the fresh air and of course, a clubbing space with a capacity of 300 people. A human-sized club for Belgian standards. The light effects were designed by the Parisians of AC3 Studio. The ceiling is covered with suspended pieces of wood that reflect the light. Original as hell. On the music side, it is techno which has the preferences of the house.