Introduction
Brussels is known for its beautiful architecture, chocolate and the statue of the little boy having a wee, but what about the bars in Brussels?
Not the first thing that might come to mind when you think of a romantic break to Belgium. Most people would aim for Bruges instead. But what if you want a break away from the stag do’s but still want to add a little fun into your trip? Well Brussels is perfect for this!
With great shops and buildings to explore by day, come night time it can be a bit tricky tracking down the nightlife but fear not, I did not spend all night walking around in the pissing rain for nothing!
I managed to track down 5 bars in Brussels that will provide (hopefully) everything you’re seeking for a good night out!
Le Petit Paon
Lets start the list of the best bars in Brussels right with this cute little bar/ restaurant right in the heart of the city. In the middle of the Grand – Place.
Arrive in the afternoon and request to sit outside and soak up the breath taking views of the famous Brussels square.
This one has made the list purely for location. You just cant get better.
Sit and watch the tourists go by and the street entertainers with their impressive street shows.
Snuggle under a blanket, or a heated lamp and enjoy a traditional Belgium beer! Side note – the beers in Belgium are strong!!! Delicious, but they will blow your head off! and at only around 4 euros a pint, go easy!
This is also a great place to grab a nice bit of lunch. The food is really top notch and reasonably priced for the location and the quality!
La Pharmacie Anglaise
Around an 8 minute walk away from Le Petit Paon is the next bar on the list of bars in Brussels you have to visit. And this one is well worth it!!!
Set over two floors this bar is an old fashioned style cocktail bar and the décor is impressive! Its a mix between an old fashioned hunting lodge and an old English pharmacy.
With fur rugs, taxidermy and some unusual things to discover in the glass jars on the shelves, this really will unleash your curiosity. The bars tagline is in fact – Cocktails and Curiosity and you wont be disappointed!
The cocktails are unique and very well blended! They are a little pricey, expect to pay around 15 euro’s for a cocktail, so it probably isn’t somewhere you are going to spend all night drinking in, but for a warm up evening drink it is perfect!
The bar also has a unique cocktail that is made with one of the ingredients from their home brew barrel. I cant tell you what that ingredient is because when its gone, its gone and a new barrel with a new drink replaces it. For something extra special this is the drink you need to try. It will set you back 20 euro’s but it is one of a kind!
The mixologists know what they are doing here and each cocktail comes in its own unique glass.
This is one of the bars in Brussels you are going to want to check out and I would highly recommend booking ahead to avoid disappointment as it get super busy!
Le Cercueil
Rue des Harengs 12, 1000 Brussels
This is one of my favourite bars in Brussels and a real guilty pleasure of mine!
Set just a few minutes away from the Grand – Place this small, intimate hide-out/dingy dive bar is sure to bring out the goth in all of us!
Its a Rock bar with a difference. You really do feel as though you are walking into a Halloween house.
With Coffins for tables, skulls, skeletons and creepy paintings, you would be forgiven for thinking you had stepped into Dracula’s bedroom!
Not only is this the quirkiest bar in Brussels, its also in the category of being a speak easy. Unknown tourists could easily walk past this bar thinking its some kind of horror lovers shop, which just makes the whole bar even more fun!
Obviously this bar is loud and not for the faint hearted! They do some great themed cocktails or if you’re more into Game of Thrones than American horror story, you could always order a horn of Ale to get in the mood!
Drink prices are really good value and they are good quality too! I love this bar and always return for some grungy rock when I am in Brussels
La Machine
Sint-Goriksplein 2, 1000 Brussels
Keeping with the theme bar trends we next come to La Machine. A really cool, industrial/steam punk style bar not for from Le Cercueil .
Be prepared for copper pipe décor and giant cogs! It feels like the bar was never fully finished and it really makes the vibe work. I love the idea of a steam punk bar. As soon as you walk in you feel like you can leave your responsibilities at the door and just have fun!
This place gets BUSY! its a really popular spot in Brussels.
There is no need to pre book but be prepared to stand if you get there after 9pm.
The bar also has DJ’s and live music to add tot the party vibe and drinks are good value.
I just drunk a beer whilst I was here but the cocktails looked really good!
If you want to let of some steam (pun intended) then this is the place to come!
Madame Moustache
Quai au Bois a Bruler 5-7, 1000 Brussels
Last but by no means least on the list of the best bars in Brussels is Madame Moustache!
If you have read some of my other blogs you will know I always like to finish on a high and there is no exception to that here.
Madame Moustache’s theme is a mix of gentleman’s club meets night club. Its is classy, quirky and everything in between.
This is popular with the locals, which in my opinion is always a good sign! and it gets busy.
I did have to wait to get in but I arrived after midnight so what did I expect!
Its not a huge club but it certainly does the job! It also has a smoking room which can be seen as pretty convenient if like me, you are caught in a storm the night you venture out.
This is the kind of place you want to be sipping on a bottle of beer or a vodka and coke. They do have a wide choice of drinks but if like me you are dancing the night away, you don’t want a espresso martini in your hand.
I had a great (and late) night here and even woke up with a Madame Moustache match box in my pocket the morning after,
The only reminder I have of the night before!
There are plenty more bars that have popped up over the years in Brussels and I have to say, the nightlife is getting better and better each year so no doubt there is more you will discover. For a starting point though, I hope you manage to check out some of these bars and I hope it helps you enjoy what Brussels night life has to offer.
If you liked this blog then please check out some of my other blogs of best bars under My Adventures
If you have any recommendations of bars or blogs that you would like me to write please comment below.
Also if you have any questions then please feel free to ask and I will be sure to reply.
Enjoy Brussels
Emma x
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