Fun and entertainment Belgium

A wine bar that favors organic and biodynamic vintages from hand-picked small producers. We come here for quality and health! The background music is rather jazzy, and the pretty wooden decor is uncluttered and inviting, with beautiful lighting fixtures that enhance the space. The banquettes are vintage and glamorous, and the atmosphere inside is subdued in the evenings, while the micro terrace is very popular both day and night. Mind your head! In the vaulted stone cellar, headroom is limited!

A bar where many of the city's musicians meet. Artists of all stripes meet there all the time; it's not uncommon for there to be a concert. It's an opportunity to mingle with the locals. Beers and cocktails add salt to the often colourful conversations in this authentic troquet with a woody soul that smells of vibrant Flanders. The place, with its wooden tables and stone walls, smells of authenticity and joie de vivre. Otherwise, the cocktails, music and relaxed atmosphere are worth a stop.

Famous for having played host to some of the world's greatest names (Edith Piaf, Maurice Chevalier, Yves Montand...), it boasts superb games rooms, two clubs, a restaurant, a concert hall and organizes major exhibitions. It houses several remarkable works, including a fresco by Keith Haring, Paul Delvaux's Le Voyage légendaire, and a 72-m mural, Magritte's Domaine enchanté. Inside, take a peek at the ceiling to admire the world's largest chandelier, with its seven tons of Venetian crystal and 2,000 bulbs.

Do you love cats? Then you'll be delighted to get your dose of purrs at Carolo Cat, a pretty cat bar in the lower town. The interior is as cozy as you could wish and, of course, fully equipped for their boarders, with plenty of overhead access and a real catwalk from which the furry creatures can observe customers before deciding whether or not they'll come to them (it's up to the cats to approach, we don't solicit them). Snacks and hot and cold drinks are prepared by Carole and her team. Cats for adoption, except her own.

This microbrewery has planted its tanks right in the middle of Hasselt. Inaugurated in early 2022, it is the first to reopen in the city since 1965. Behind the initiative are a group of enthusiasts and Brouwland, a brewing equipment supplier. In its large tap room, which looks more like a lounge bar than a café, you'll be able to choose from 20 different types of beer: classic Belgian amber, IPA's, porters and German-style beers. The friendly bar staff will be happy to answer any questions you may have.

This cultural centre offers an excellent programme of plays, classical concerts, ballets and contemporary dance. Bold national and international works. Its building is in itself a contemporary architectural marvel built in 1980 but which hasn't aged a day. In fact, deSingel offers highly original thematic exhibitions on architecture and houses an architectural institute. The institution also has a conservatory and hosts artists' residencies.

In the heart of Liège, Blues-Sphère organizes concerts, jam sessions, evening shows and blues events. A true music enthusiast, Mr. Brillmaker programs "black roots" concerts, blues and African music, three or four times a week. The place, a little confined at the end of a long corridor, lends itself well to the exercise. The stage is ideally placed for the whole room to enjoy. A bar offers special beers at modest prices, and it's hard to say when you'll be coming out.

This bar offers a rich menu of 90 types of beer, in a setting decorated, of course, with objects evoking... beer. Dozens of different mugs hang from the ceiling, the mere sight of which triggers the thirst. The place is very popular with students from the nearby university and their professors... The outdoor courtyard is also a great place to sip a cool suds around a convivial table. Special mention for the Black Tripel Malheur, but also the Tripel Karmeliet and Chimay Triple on draught.

This bar-brewery is decorated with numerous brewery objects. A kitsch atmosphere that will delight fans of authentic troquets, with a marbled checkerboard floor and a bar with antique wood panelling. The small outdoor terrace is also a good option when the weather's nice and on market days especially, when the street atmosphere is very lively. There's a choice of some forty beers on the menu, including Arsenaaltje, specially crafted by De Koninck Brewery. Suggested beers are featured every month. The choice is yours!

Cuvee is both a wine boutique and a popular wine bar... for local restaurateurs, which is a good sign! Ivo and Hilde became passionate about wine over ten years ago through wine-tasting courses. Large 130 m² wine cellar. Natural wines and small productions, often exclusive to Flanders, for a choice of 250 labels. The large counter at the back is ideal for tastings by the glass, accompanied by cheese and charcuterie, with the cutting machine visible.

This bar is run by the founders of the Ghent Festivities - that's saying something! It's an institution for all Ghenters. This rather relaxed café bruin (traditional bar) is a good place for a frothy nightcap on weekdays or weekends. What's more, the bar hosts concerts almost every evening (free every Monday) from 9pm, and DJ sets on Sunday evenings, in a wide variety of styles (indie pop, rock, reggae, slam, acoustic folk, etc.). The atmosphere is very intimate, and the relationship with the artists direct.

If you want to soak up the Brussels culture that is so dear to our hearts, this would be the one. It's hard to remain unmoved by the glibness of the puppeteers, who revisit the great classics of the French, English and Dutch scenes. The Brussels accent is proudly proclaimed here and one is delighted to be able to spend a colourful evening in a place that has almost disappeared several times. A true institution, Toone has been handed down from generation to generation, so much so that today it is Toone VIII that is in charge.

This is THE cocktail bar in Hasselt. It's got it all: the Roaring Twenties look, the velvet on the seats, the subdued lighting, the 5-storey shelves filled with the rarest spirits, while the front of the bar displays tinctures and other bitters, the jazzy playlist... and a bartender who knows what he's doing! In addition to the good old mixes you're all familiar with, the bar has its own creations, but we recommend the "Beauty & the Beast", based on juniper of course, but with a mise-en-scène that's worth ordering on its own. That's all we have to say!

This alternative café in the center of Bruges, which could be described as "eco bobo", is very warm and welcoming, offering quality, fair-trade coffees and teas, as well as simple, affordable lunchtime dishes (soups, bagels, quiches, tarts...). The first room on the street is pleasant, while at the back there's another room with an outdoor patio. The whole place is furnished with odds and ends and mismatched retro sofas and chairs. The background music is eclectic and well-chosen, but not too loud. Also a few tables on the street in summer. Wifi.

If beer makes Belgium's reputation throughout the world, coffee is also a much appreciated nectar. Café De Carillon is the oldest "brown coffee" in the city of Oudenaarde. It is recognizable thanks to its façade with gables and yellow bricks. Café De Carillon is a must for anyone who wants to taste authentic Flanders in its Belgian pub interior with wood panelling. The menu still makes a very nice place for Belgian beers with a fine selection as well as cocktails. To be sipped on the terrace of course!

This legendary café, which dates back over a century, has everything to seduce, with its wood panelling and bay windows in a distinguished, old-fashioned style. It's one of Liège's most beautiful historic cafés. The atmosphere is very special, calm and festive at the same time. Two large billiard tables are located at the back of the café, just waiting to be explored. Chess players are also present at all hours. And for those who don't play billiards, but rather pétanque, the café makes these balls available for use on the courts in the old theater square.

This cosy resto-bar is housed in a splendid 15th century building in the historic centre. We love the magnificent setting, the wide selection of beers, wines, cocktails and a beautiful range of whiskies and rums, in a Latin-Jazz atmosphere. Several times a month, concerts are organized to enjoy a moment of live music (see on their Facebook page). They also serve snacks, tapas and Belgian brasserie dishes where beef is the main dish, which is quite expensive. It's better to come and have a drink there on concert evenings.

This very large club with high ceilings is lavishly decorated in the indus and art nouveau style so dear to the city. Recently renovated, it is the meeting place of the Antwerp youth who like groovy music and good cocktails. We like the small concerts that are organized there, and the thematic evenings. Dé Nachten evenings (funk and house Ibiza) on Saturdays, alternating with other concepts and the Pre-Night afterwork every last Wednesday of the month. Check the program on their Facebook page. A must-see.

It's the only (large) concert hall (apart from the classical and jazz-oriented Concertgebouw) to program all international and national pop, electro, hip hop and jazz fusion artists. Every year, it organizes the Cactus Festival (one weekend in July), which welcomes major headliners (including Massive Attack, Erykah Badu, Air, Lauryn Hill, Beach House, Bonnie Prince Billy Macy Gray, Gregory Porter in 2021), and also takes part in the Moods! (July-August) and More Music! (one week in April).

Here, we give artists a "short shrift", whatever their form of expression. The space organizes or hosts both amateur and professional theater, and enjoys partnerships, favoring co-productions. Theater workshops are also held here, and the "Young Audiences" - professional - shows are very popular. In addition, Liège's cultural centers provide entertainment before and after school performances, and the cafeteria exhibits the work of young artists on a monthly basis.

This cocktail bar for the happy few in the former Ghent post office has become the headquarters of the trendy thirty-somethings in Ghent. Under gothic ceilings, with a fireplace where the fire crackles in winter and a retro zinc, you can admire the illuminated historic city. Sofas call for intimate conversations, with a jazzy musical background that is only disturbed by the soft sound of the shakers in the bar-tenders. High-flying cocktails that change with the seasons. One can enjoy for example C-Bomb (Tanqueray 10, lemon, rosé grape, Kalamansi and orange).

A friendly café (near the market on Sundays) where you can enjoy a soup, a sandwich on the go (prepared with quality ingredients) or a sweet tart to accompany your afternoon coffee. Good coffees, smoothies and cocktails are also on the menu. The hipster population is young and relaxed, and the décor is vintage. Banquettes with cosy cushions in some corners, lots of light throughout. Nice terrace on sunny days, calm and relaxed atmosphere. Popular weekend brunch.

This loungebar is the only real nightclub in Bruges. This is where you can dance the night away into the wee hours of the morning. The setting is classy, that of a historic former bank in the city center. DJs follow one another at the turntables and don't look alike: electro, techno, R'n'B, hip hop, the program is eclectic. The space is small but cosy, and the lighting is designed to create a lively atmosphere at the end of the week. Cocktails and beers are on the menu.

Prince Baudouin takes his name from a time when the king was not yet king. As much as to say that less and less Belgians remember it. In fact, some of our clients' families have been coming here for three generations. From there to write that the "Prince" is an old man's café, there is only a tabulation that we will not cross. On the contrary, young and old like to sit on the terrace and watch the whole of Namur go by between the pedestrian precinct and the Place d'Armes. At the back (rue des Brasseurs), the Petit Baudouin offers a very different atmosphere.

The history of Dinant's casino dates back to the interwar period. The gambling establishment was housed on rue Grande in a superb building (1931) designed by local architect Frankinet, now occupied by the Dinant cultural center. The casino is now housed in a building complex (2001) that includes a hotel and restaurant. Early bird action (€25 play credit) Monday to Friday, 6am to 1pm. Points doubled on Thursdays. Cash Explosion: mystery jackpot on Fridays.

A veritable bruin café in the heart of Leuven, it boasts just over a hundred rare craft beers, mainly Flemish. On Mondays, blues and jazz concerts enliven the premises, which have recently been given a "green makeover" with the addition of numerous photovoltaic panels covering the refrigeration and lighting systems. A "beer of the month" refreshes the menu every thirty days or so. One of the city's best music venues, open until late every day.

Between current releases and cinema classics, the Lumière makes the big difference. It is a small cinema which has the particularity of being housed in the Museum of Photography. Here, you can feel the passion for cinema, far from the big impersonal complexes. Its two red-dressed rooms are very comfortable and the sound installations are particularly efficient. No popcorn or nachos here (but drinks served in glasses, please), we are here for the pleasure of cinema. The films are in V.O. with Dutch subtitles.

In the evenings, you can enjoy jazz and rhythm 'n' blues, and concerts are also organized. With its blazing fireplace and cosy atmosphere, it's the perfect place for a relaxed evening. Beers on tap and small snacks complete the charm of this jazz club in T'Zand. It serves good tapas, simple dishes, burgers and desserts, and of course a wide range of Belgian beers of all kinds (blond, dark, amber, IPA...). To find out what's on, visit their Facebook page.

Two concert halls, a snack bar, an exhibition hall, offices, a creative room... Kultura is a trendy new venue in Liège dedicated to artistic creation, now open for three years. We appreciate its eclectic program of concerts (pop, rock, electro, hip hop, chanson d'auteur) by small, interesting and often fringe groups, and its themed evenings, often centred around international gastronomy, but also big, festive DJ nights. A place to discover for an evening.

La Grand Poste is THE big project in Liège in recent years. The former Hôtel des Postes, a building dating back to 1901, is home to a co-working space, a two-storey food court, a space for start-ups and a micro-brewery, Brasserie de Liège. As you enter, your nose will be seized by the scent of hops and yeast! There's a whole host of home-brewed beers of all kinds to choose from. Settle in and rub shoulders with the ULiège journalism students who have classes here. Rooftop open at weekends.

Like a New York-style coffee shop, this trendy espresso bar offers a range of carefully selected coffees from all over the world (Ethiopia, Costa Rica, Brazil, Colombia...). The young, passionate owners decided to work with a nearby artisan roaster to roast the selected beans. Located just behind the Grand Place, it's a pleasure to settle in for a break. Also sandwiches with artisan breads, homemade cakes and breakfasts.

A micro-bar like a little piece of Argentina, with the same Latin good humor, and a pretty, colorful facade. The interior is tiny: a few stools, a shelf with imported products, especially mate. We lean in close to our neighbors to share a few empanadas and Quilmes beers, which flow freely in the evening, just like the cocktails. It's a great way to bond. But it's in summer that the bar gets lively, the terrace spreads out on the sidewalk and the outdoor sound transforms the street into an impromptu open-air party.

Le Moderne is a venue, a company, an art gallery and a center for living culture. There's always something going on in this former cinema in the Sainte-Walburge district. Here, the emphasis is on young artists, which is why workshops are organized for young people (but not only). The theater company, regional, Belgian and even international artists perform here, and the evenings of shows and vernissages are always enriching in more ways than one.

Imagine a former cloister turned book cathedral. Under ancient vaults or in an adjoining garden, you enjoy a cup of coffee while devouring a book in an almost religious silence. It's a real place, because it's the café of the Central Library of Mechelen, which has taken up residence in this former cloister of the Preaching Friars in 2019. Renovated with panache, the baroque of the building blends well with the simplicity of the Scandi style. Hungry for more than words? Check out the menu of sweet and savory suggestions. Next door is Tinèlle, a gourmet restaurant.

It's been a few years already for this "place to beer" which, as its name suggests, is dedicated to beer. With 333 bottled beers and 33 draught beers, Bier Central even ranks among the best national references. It's hard to choose, or maybe you'll have to make several rounds! But in addition to the 366 beers (one for every day of the year), they offer typical Belgian cuisine such as moules-frites with a local beer, Flemish-style carbonnade with beer, homemade shrimp croquettes..

Urban jungle and tiki lounge ambience for this bar dedicated to aperitifs and cocktails. Neon lights, roses, plants everywhere, rattan seats and cushions with tropical prints give the establishment a vacation feel, all the more so as it has a lovely view over the Lys. Here, you can enjoy a spritz or a negroni, as well as more elaborate cocktails (amaretto sour, margarita...), but all in the "light and fresh" category, so as not to upset your stomach. And if you're feeling peckish, André offers a range of aperitif platters.

It is said to be the world's oldest casino, built in 1763. Built in a neoclassical style, it still plays host to numerous slot, roulette, blackjack and poker players (weekly tournaments are organized). The casino also boasts a brasserie with a focus on meats and grilled meats. The bar offers all kinds of drinks and cocktails. In addition, many interesting events are organized here, so check out their website for more information.

In former warehouses, just a few minutes' walk from MAS, you'll find a waterside oasis, the Sommar, one of Antwerp's many zomerbars and one of the most successful with its chic touch. The space is immense, with views of the Scheldt and the cranes of the old port facilities. On one side we have the restaurant (different restaurateurs come and go during the summer) and on the other a lively mega-bar. Here, you can relax on a sofa or deckchair and toast the setting sun, before dancing until closing time... and continuing elsewhere.

A long counter, subdued lighting, shelves filled with spirits and other concoctions, a back space with deep chesterfields - this is the setting at Dogma, a cocktail bar in the heart of downtown. There's a hint of speakeasy about the place, but it's not hidden. The bar's creations, led by award-winning mixologist Didier Van den Broeck, change with the seasons, but they're always surprising (like the Aix-en-Provence with... goat's cheese). Let yourself be guided by the staff or the description (fruity, tiki, long...) and enjoy!

This is the jazz club par excellence. What's more, it's housed in the home of Jacques Pelzer himself. Concerts are held here at 9 p.m. sharp, every Wednesday, and from time to time in a small, intimate room that fills up quickly (come a little before the concert). What's more, you can dine here on affordable home cooking (reservations essential). Varied jazzy programming, cocoon atmosphere, great vibe where neophytes and authentic jam enthusiasts mingle. We love this unique, high-perched venue.

The construction date of 1741 appears on the lintel of the entrance door. A listed monument, Château de Commanster is a former hunting lodge built by Henri-François Baptiste, alderman at the Court of Salm and mayor of Gouvy. Particularly noteworthy are the carved oak panelling on the staircase, the coat of arms and some of the doors. A place in its element, or rather in its hops! Visitors can enjoy Cervoise de Commanster, an exceptional dark beer, in front of a crackling fireplace.

The Kings of Comedy Club is a cafe-theater with a New York club atmosphere and a style that is unusual in Belgium. Shows feature well-known and amateur artists with a common theme: humor. The very democratic entrance fee allows everyone to make their own (re)discoveries. Everything is set up so that you can grab a bite to eat or a drink close to the artists, making for a cosy atmosphereand a lively show! No distant stage or dressing rooms, just the same living space. Reservations essential and second address in Saint-Gilles.

An electro-techno-house club par excellence, referenced by Resident Advisor, the club is in the basement with a rather Berlin feel, since here we're in the industrial setting of the harbor docks. The heavy bass can resonate without disturbing the neighbors until morning. Great label programming, lots of guests from Berlin, London, Paris... It's a truly underground venue. Remember to reserve your tickets when the live producers are scheduled, as the 400-person venue can sell out. For connoisseurs of electro nights.

The atmosphere is always lively in this multicultural bar, where you can move to the sound of soul, groove and Afro music. Concerts are held regularly, the place is very busy and rather hip, fun & cool. Some evenings feature neo-soul, r'n'b, hip-hop, funk and house DJ sets, while others are dedicated to the African rhythms of the moment (Congolese rumba, kizomba, bongo flava, coupé-décalé...), so you can dance the night away! And it's not unusual for the party to go on until dawn. Excellent cocktails are also available.

This café-théâtre offers live shows, mainly comedies, all year round, welcoming big names in Belgian and French one-man shows , as well as plays, mainly boulevard theater. Renaud Rutten, Didier Boclinville, Albert Cougnet, Pierre Theunis, Bérénice and Guy Lemaire have all performed here. Shows run from Wednesday to Sunday. The restaurant offers a simple but attractive menu. The program and tickets are available online.

Welcome to the beach, Antwerp version! Ideal for sipping a cocktail at sunset or hanging out while a DJ plays his records day and night. Outside: sofas, deckchairs, poufs and umbrellas are spread out on a quay, on the sand, under palm trees, in front of the industrial cranes of the port. In this vast former warehouse, wooden furniture and plants soften the concrete in an "exotic-indus" atmosphere. There is a salsa dance floor, two restaurants (Pampelonne and Lambik) and Gusto (Mediterranean tapas)..

This is the city's best concert venue, and although it's not very big, it shines for its quality programming. Belgian, European and even international headliners perform here, including pop-rock, hip hop, world music, blues, folk, indie, jazz, swing, reggae/dub.... Don't hesitate to take a look at the program during your stay, you're sure to find a concert to your taste. The venue also organizes performances (music-cinema) and cultural events..

Blandine Grandchamps is following in the footsteps of her illustrious father, while revisiting the genre and bringing a new dynamism to it. Fafouille's daughter, the young lady has taken over the second family space dedicated to used books, in the recently refurbished Passage de la Bourse. Here, you can sit down for a drink and browse through a book from one of the many themes on offer. You then choose whether to buy the book or come back and continue reading a little later. Blandine also organizes intimate concerts and events in her stylish boutique.

Here's a typically Thudinian bistro... l'Estaminet showcases the city's two spearheads, folklore and inland waterway transport. As you gaze out over the nearby Sambre, you can sample the various specialities on offer, including a wide selection of Belgian beers, especially local ones. It's also a place to revisit the world, and in particular the world of Thudin, as the regulars sit by the bar and go over it with a fine-tooth comb. L'Estaminet has been awarded the "Bistrot de Terroir" label, and has a pleasant floating terrace throughout the summer months.

Even if you don't understand Dutch, the music is universal! Opéra Ballet Vlaanderen was born of the merger of the Antwerp Opera and the Ghent Opera in 1981. In addition to operas, it offers ballets, chamber music concerts... in short, everything classical. Antwerp's majestic neo-Baroque building dates from 1907 and seats almost 1,000. It is located near the Leien boulevards. The Opera's reputation and the quality of its performances are second to none: performances sell out months in advance. Don't forget to book.