CAFES OF BELGIUM

Including Antwerp, Brussels, Bruges, Ghent and Ostend.

If the UK has its ales and Germany and the Czech Republic its lagers, then Belgium must have the most interesting choice of beer styles in the world. Walk into any Belgian café and you will always have at least 12 different beers to those from on the beer menu; in the better cafes even more.

Here is a list of beer styles and some good examples of those styles in brackets;

Red beer ( Rodenbach )

Pale Ales ( De Koninck and Plam )

Trappists Beer ( Orval, Rochefort, and Westvletern )

Abbey Beers ( Leffe and Corsendork )

Lambic, Gueuze and Fruit Beers ( Boon and Cantillion )

Strong Golden Ale ( Duvel )

White wheat Beer ( Hoegraden )

Scotch Ales and Xmas Beers ( Gordens )

Blonde Beer ( Leffe Blonde )

Export Stout ( Guinness Special Export Stout brewed in Dublin at 8% )

And not forgetting your mass product lagers from Interbrew of Stella Artois and Jupiler.

Most of the specialist styles tend to be in bottles, more expensive and stronger in alcohol strength than the standard Belgium lager, for example

Jupiler at 5% will be 1.70 to 2.00 Euros

Duvel at 8.5% will be 3.20 to 3.50 Euros

Prices in April 2005 in Brussels

Most Belgians tend to drink Juplier then round the evening off with a specialist beer, us tourists tend to think we are in beer wonderland and want to drink as many beer styles as possible. While some city centre cafes are large most Belgium cafes are small and intimate and in most cases just as good as the beer they serve. Cafes have waiter service: ask for a beer menu if there is not one on the table.

Here is a list of outstanding cafes in the following cities

ANTWERP

Antwerp is Belgium's second biggest city after Brussels, in the Flemish part of Belgium close to the border with the Netherlands. Whilst the main railway station in the city centre is impressive, most of the best watering holes are in the old town near the cathedral. The local ale brewery De Koninck beer is available in most Antwerp cafes, ask for Bolleke. Last visited December 2004. Prices Bolleke 1.50 euros, regular beer 1.60 to 1.90 euros, Duvel 2.60 to 3.00 euros, trappist beer 3.30 to 3.70 euros in December 2004.

CITY CENTRE
Berenbak, 17 Minderbroedersstraat

Attractive bar with collection of ties on the walls. Food menu good and beer range too. Bolleke very nice! Lots of plants and pretty fireplace with clock. Modern art paintings!

Sue 8/10 visit Feb 2001

A modern café of lots of wood panelling and plants! A collection of ties is above the bar area. A good food menu, as well as the beer menu. Nice laid-back atmosphere with good bar service. Just outside the main centre' the road is off Minderbroedersrui, which is on most of the tourist maps.

John 9/10 visit Dec 2004

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Den Engel, 1 Grote Markt

Second bar of the two ' Engels '!Very busy but other pub was packed! Ghastly 'cool' jazz and soul music did not impress me! But good service and prices. VERY un-amusing toilet arrangements;- I don't mind them being together but expect a door on the gents' part!

Sue 7/10 visit Feb 2001

Two bars next to each another, the first bar was crowded so we went into the second one. Interesting paintings on the wall, A tourist walk of Antwerp has managed to find its way in here tonight; will the tour guide get them out? During the weekend full of tourists, but weekdays it becomes a locals' place. Good atmosphere. Interesting Belgian toilets!

John 8.5/10 visit Dec 2004

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Elfde Gebod, 10 Torfburg ( 11th commandment )

Web site www.elfde-gebod-antwerpen.be

Very unusual bar with church statues and icons and cherubs dangling from the ceiling. Two storeys high and very crowded, especially with figurines. Unusual beer ( brown ale style )-Giltenbier. Lively bustling atmosphere.

Sue 9/10 visit Feb 2001

This place is sometimes not on the tourist maps, but if you walk around the cathedral you will find it. One of the most original bars I have ever been into; place is full of church statues which makes you feel like you're in a church and not a bar, especially with the uncomfortable wooden seating and no radiators turned on! If crowded there is an upstairs drinking area, with a impressive marble staircase.

John 9/10 visit Dec 2004

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Highlander, 2 Pieter van Hobokenstraat

Nice cosy place with a Scottish theme. It's a little cold outside, so it's nice to come into a warm cosy pub. Run by an Anglo-Belgian couple who change languages effortlessly! The pub does have some Scotch ales McEwans and Gordons strong red, as well as Belgian bottled beers. As you expect it has a good range of Scottish malt whiskies. Guest beer is John Smith's keg, I wonder what clan he belongs to!!

John 8/10 visit Dec 2004

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Kulminator, 32 Vieminckveld

Very impressed with the plants covering the windows , the fresh roses on the tables, and the old tree in the centre of the room. Abbey van t' park-great blonde beer- and selection is huge. Lovely curved bar area, and every part of the bar full of interest-with hanging beer decorations, pamphlets, pictures, glasses everywhere.

Sue 9.5/10 visit Feb 2001

A well-decorated bar, a little way out of the centre, but beer lovers manage to find it-maybe because there are well over 500 beers on the menu! Reading the beer menu takes a fair bit of time; choosing a beer takes even longer! Classical music in the background, the perfect place to chill out. Bet you can't have just one beer. Look at the bottled beers in the windows, on the way to the loos. The pub cat is called Arnold. Watneys Christmas beer from 1981 is on the menu for 4 euros, but no takers! Excellent bar service from the couple behind the bar. Great place. Like Arnie 'I will be back'.

John 10/10 visit Dec 2004

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Oud Arsenaal, 4 Maria Pijpelinckstraat

Wonderful unspoilt boozer in a busy part of town, with a market outside. Catering for the locals and not the tourist. The décor is basic with the walls full of mainly beer memorabilia , but the atmosphere is good. Reasonably priced beer menu keeps everyone happy. Closes 19.30 on Saturdays and Sundays and all day Thursday. Hard to avoid jokes about boring 1-0 wins and offside traps! ( English joke! )

John 8.5/10 visit Dec 2004

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Paters' Vaetje, 1 Blauwmoezelstraat

Crowded, lively bar with balcony seats overlooking chandelier and busy bar area. Pretty bar signs round the walls. Large mirrors, treacherous looking stairs! Leffe Blonde sampled. Rather naff music.

Sue 7.5/10 visit Feb 2001

Small café near cathedral which was very packed when we visited. Managed to get a seat in the upstairs balcony area, with a nice view looking down onto the bar. Stairs not easy to get up. Well over a 100 beers served. Stove to keep us warm in the winter.

John 8.5/10 visit Dec 2004

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De Pelgrim, 15 Pelgrimstraat

Interesting and original place, in an old building. You walk in, you see a big fireplace and toilets. Go down the stairs to a brick cellar, it's almost like a cave! The atmosphere is romantic helped by the candle light. In December, with only two other couples around it's okay to have a beer, but I am not so sure when it's busier. Because of the candle light it's hard to read the beer menu and the prices, but maybe that’s the idea!

John 8/10 visit Dec 2004

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Roden Coninck, 31 Vlasmarkt

Interesting café with lots of character. Dangling spiders etc spin when door opens! Average beer selection. Sports trophies, fish tank and laid-back atmosphere - complete with hippy! Very friendly feeling.

Sue 8.5/10 visit Feb 2001

Nice old café with older clientele, who give this place a nice friendly atmosphere on a Saturday evening. When the door opens a spider spins around, surprising the visitors and amusing the locals! Not a great beer menu, but makes up for it in atmosphere.

John 8.5/10 visit Dec 2004

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Stamineeke, 23 Vlasmarkt

A small candlelit street-side café with an excellent friendly atmosphere. Good service and attractive collection of mirrors, signs ( and obscure dice game ) Not impressed by Blues music, but John is! Or the 'experimental' jazz!

Sue 7.5/10 visit Feb 2001

From the outside, this place looks like a restaurant, but inside there are lots of beer posters, bottles, brewery mirrors etc and plenty of beer drinking by the patrons. Candles, checked tablecloths and blues music ( which annoyed the mouse ) adds to the good atmosphere.

John 8.5/10 visit Feb 2001

Sadly now closed.

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De Vagant, 21 Reynderstraat

A cosy café which specialise in genever, which creates a special atmosphere. Lively locals' atmosphere on a Monday. Belgian genever is a little different from Dutch, so give it a try. Young cat on the table, who knows already how to play cute for the customers! Classic music in the background. Cool place.

John 9/10 visit Dec 2004

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't Waagstuk, 20 Stadswaag

Web site www.waagstuk,be

Attractive pub, dating to 1548 reached by courtyard. Strange folk music - a cross between Irish and West Country! Good service with extensive beer and food menu. Locals atmosphere but friendly. Large collection of beer mugs.

Sue visit 8/10 Feb 2001

Nice old cobbled square leads to an old courtyard outside the café, must be lovely in the summer. Atmospheric wooden bar with jugs hanging from the ceiling. Belgian folk music playing in the background on my last visit, this time it's jazz.! Good beer menu and bar service. Usually I had a Joppen Hoppenbier, which is a Dutch beer. Opens from 14.00 until late. Great place.

John 9.5/10 visit Dec 2004

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SOUTH OF CITY CENTRE

De Pelgrim, 8 Boomgardstraat,

Café next to the De Koninck brewery; it only sells De Koninck beers on draught. At the time of my visit it had Bolleke, Blonde and Winter on tap. All the beers were excellent as you might expect. Unspoilt bar which looks like it hasn't changed much over the years. The front part of the bar is non-smoking, the back is smoking. See if you can notice the uneven bar top! Good beer, good atmosphere. A must for any serious beer drinker.

John 9.5/10 visit Dec 2004

GETTING THERE

This pub is a 25 minute walk out of town or take the Number 7 tram southbound, from Minderbroedersrui near the Berenbak café. The fare is one euro, you pay the driver. Get off one stop after Kong Albert Park ( park on your right hand side ). Walking back from the stop you will see the De Koninck brewery, the café is opposite. Most tourist maps don't go out this far, but the Lonely Planet guide to Brussels, Bruges and Antwerp does have it marked.

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BRUGES

Bruges is called ' the Venice of the North ' in the tourist brochures. Whilst not going that far, it is the prettiest and most picturesque city in the Belgium. Being close to the port of Zeebrugge means it gets a lot of weekend tourists from the UK. Last visited June 2003.Some pubs revisited April 2005 and June 2006. A book called ‘Around Bruges in 80 beers’ by Chris Pollard and Siobhan McGinn is well worth seeking out. It has 80 places to drink beer in Bruges including restaurants, beer shops and a boat! As well as some cafes not on the list below.  More new entrys on my visit in July 2008.

 

Bargeehuis, 2 Bargeweg,

Web site www.bargehuis.be

 

A beer café just inside central Bruges, which is child friendly. The garden at the front has a sand pit and various other things to kept the children amused. Inside there are more toys including some cuddly teddy bears. For us adults, there is a good beer menu and a range of Glenmorangie malt whiskeys on the bar. Small non-smoking area, definitely a place with a different.

John 8/10 visit June 2003

To get to it walk along the canal by Bruges station heading east. Popular pub for children. As you enter there is a sand pit in the beer garden and inside loads of teddy bears. A good selection of single malts, beer and food. Tiled floor and beamed ceiling. The closest cafe to the station.

Stuart 7.5/10 visit June 2003
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Brugse Beertje, 5 Kemelstraat,

Web site www.brugsbeertje.be

Well-known and loved by beer hunters ( Michael Jackson photo on wall! ). Collection of beer trays and unusual paintings of brewing industry also on wall. Excellent beer menu - tried Straff Hendrik and Hellekapelle. Classical background music.

Sue 9/10 visit Feb 2001-

Wonderful place with an awesome list of Belgium beers. Nice laid-back atmosphere with classical music. Lots of beer memorabilia all around the place, including a photo of God - ( Michael Jackson the beer writer ) with the owners above the fireplace. Open from 16-00 every day except Wednesday, when it is closed. Great place.  John 10/10 visit June 2003

Closed for holidays!!

July 2008

A world classic. Vast range of beers and photos of Michael Jackson (the beer writer) on the wall. Small and busy inside. It opens at 4.00 and by 5.00 it was packed. Serves excellent food.

Stuart 9.5/10 visit June 2003

Revisited John

What a pub. I have visited this pub 5 times, and every visit is memorable. Yes it's overrun by tourists, but it's great to see mainstream beer drinkers and non-beer drinkers taking a chance on great Belgian beers and enjoying it. Great atmosphere chances are, you will comparing beers with the people on the table next to you. Run with TLC by Daisy who offers excellent service. On this visit , the pub open at 16-00 hours, in 20 minutes the front two bars are full. If full go through the toilet door , which is mark Bruges Beertje 2 there's another bar. This was full up in 45 minutes. Don't panic, people do move on after a while, but not us beer hunters who have found beer heaven! A Bruges beer institution, no a Belgium beer institution, no a world beer institution. Get the picture, I love the place!!!

John 11/10 visit April 2005 and June 2006
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Cambrinus, 19 Philipstockstraat,

Web site www.cambrinus.eu

An old building just off the main square, which in March 2006 opened as a beer café.  Décor is upmarket including brass lights, bar stools and wood panelling walls. The café as an amazing 400 beers on its menu. Which gives you a great choice to find your ideal rare beer1  Service was good, but café needs to have a lived in feel. But off to a good start.

John 9/10 visit June 2006

This pub is now getting more of that lived in feeling. It is as modern as the Brugse Beertje is traditional. According to one friend the décor is shades of Wetherspoons, while I see what he means, the atmosphere is totally different.  The barman was very knowledgeable. 

 

John 9.5/10 July 2008  

 

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Curiosa, 22 Vianmingstraat,

Web site www.curiosa-brugge.com

Candle-lit 16th century cellar bar with various niches containing flowers, bottles and an interesting religious icon. Bar has arches and pillars through it like a church. Good service and complimentary snacks-corned beef and radishes. Corsendonk Agnus in good condition.

Sue 8.5/10 visit Feb 2001

Atmospheric 16th century cellar bar with nice lighting effects as well as candles on the tables, also interesting gothic statues. May be a little food-orientated, but a nice place to have a drink from their beer menu. On my last visit cheese was server with my beer, now mouse-like!

John 8.5/10 visit June 2003

A dangerous bar to get into, with very steep steps. As you enter the dark interior its seems pitch black. In fact it took 5 minutes for my eyes to adjust in the cellar, which is lit by candles. It has brick arches. A good range of bottled beer.

Stuart 8/10 visit June 2003

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Dickies, 16 Vrijdagmarkt,

A café on a busy square. Modern red décor with a pleasant atmosphere to the place. Collection of beer bottles up on the sleeves, as well as old photos of Bruges on wall. Good selection of beer memorabilia all around, plus a '15 reasons why a beer is better than a woman!' poster.

John 7.5/10 visit June 2003

Small café by a square with fountains. Front and rear bars serve food. A gas grill at the back for cooking. The orange walls are unusual.

Stuart 7.5/10 visit June 2003

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De Brugse Beerkaai, 9 Nieuwstraat,

Home brew pub on side of canal. Had Brugse Blond again-lovely beer! Restaurant bar, but food part closed down. Chequered tablecloths and 'cool' music! But liked friendly atmosphere and locals were in. Warm, comfortable feel, candle-lit.

Sue 8.5/10 visit Feb 2001

Home brew pub of the Bruges Blonde brewers. Lots of different rooms and places to drink. Sadly the best view of the canal is taken up by the restaurant area. Brewery is to the right as you walk in. Lots of modern wood panelling and lighting, a little bit yuppie by Belgian standards but a nice pub none the less.

John 8.5/10 visit June 2003

A brew pub come restaurant with a range of 4 beers. Wooden interior with glass display cases. The pub is right by a canal. It also does tapas for those who like to snack.

Stuart 8/10 visit June 2003

Sadly now closed, on my visit in April 2005
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Erasmus, 15 Wollestraat,

Web site www.hotelerasmus.com

A unlike place for a good beer café. A small upmarket hotel bar, done out in modern décor. Half the place for eating, half for drinking. A good beer menu and 9 beers on draught makes this a excellent place. Friendly bar service as well.  On each visit the owner has taken a keen interest on the beer I was drinking.  Never judge a book by its cover! How many pubs have automatic doors?

John 8.5/10 visit June 2006

The entrance has been moved, but apart from this nothing has changed too much. There are 10 beers on draught; none of them are mainstream beers.  I try a Bush Blonde. While owner was in the background, the waiter was very knowledgeable.

 

John 8.5/10 visit July 2008  

 

An hotel bar selling a wide range of bottled and draught beer, including Chimay and Augustina. There is a rear courtyard and main bar by the front door. A nice touch is the small bowl of peanuts served with the beer.

Stuart 8/10 visit June 2003

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Estaminet, 5 Park

Pub across the road from a park which is a little of the tourists track, while still in the centre of town. Outdoor drinking area at the front, ideal for today which is heat wave weather. TV inside showing World Cup football. Average beer range. The low ceiling gives the café a cosy feel.

John 8/10 visit June 2006

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 T’ Ezeltje, 118 Ezelstraat

A small narrow pub with a low ceiling, giving it a cosy feel. There is an outside patio drinking area at the back of the pub, which will be handy if Belgium ever gets a smoking ban in pubs! The pub has a donkey theme, but no photos of Tony Adams along with the other donkeys on the wall- clue any other Tony Adams jokes!! No great beer list, but a good atmosphere. Pub is about 10 minutes walking from the main square, on the edge of the city limits wall. Closed Tuesday, opens 1900 hours Saturday and Sunday, 1200 hours the rest of the week.

John 7.5/10 visit July 2008 

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Gare, 1 de Garre, between 12 and 14 Breidelstraat

Wonderful old café down an alley. Approaching the building you feel like you are going somewhere special, and you are. It's small and cosy downstairs, there is also a upstairs drinking area if crowded. Original beams and brick walls makes is lovely place, worth visiting alone , but the good beer menu is a welcome bonus. Great place.

John 9.5/10 visit June 2006

On this visit I am up on the top floor for the first time. There is no bar on this floor, so the waitress is kept fit going up and down the stairs every five minutes or so! No mainstream beers here, only an impressive list of good Belgian beers. Pricing is a little strange with Bush 12 (the strongest beer in Belgium) only 2.75 Euros, with less strong beers more expensive! Food is only light snacks. This old building creates a lovely atmosphere. Cheese served with your beer.

John 9.5/10 visit July 2008 

Stunning café down a tiny alley serving a massive range of beers. Its intimate inside and has old brick walls adorned by jenever bottles. I had an incredible Lindemans peach beer on draught - best eaten with custard !

Stuart 8.5/10 visit June 2003

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Graeneburg, Markt

Attractive café on main square- rather expensive but nice interior. Brightly lit, in contrast to previous café, but it improved the friendly atmosphere. Log bench-style tables, but window ones look out onto life in the square; floodlit at night. Chandelier lights and stained glass windows. A warm, friendly bar.

Sue 8/10 visit Feb 2001

A big café on the main square, a good place to look out onto the impressive buildings in the square and people-watch! Any place on the square is going to be tourist orientated and not full of locals, but this place seems more into drink than food, and has a pleasant atmosphere.

John 8/10 visit Feb 2001

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Halve Maan, 26 Walplein,

Web site www.halvemaan.be

Home of the Straffe Hendrik brewery. There are brewery tours on the hour during its opening hours, between 10-00 and 18-00 hours. An nice courtyard entrance is a great place to drink on a hot summers day. Inside is upmarket, but pleasant with a nice collection of beer bottles all around the place. The blonde and brown Staffe Hendrik beers are nice drinks as well.

John 8/10 visit April 2005

The beers were contracted out, but the Bruges Zot which is seen around the city is brewed here, making this brewery the only one in Bruges.

John 8/10 visit July 2008

 

You enter by a cobbled court yard with a half covered seating area. Brewery tours are available. Inside is further seating area for beer and food. Full of inquisitive visitors taking the hourly brewery tour. The two beers, a blonde and brun are very drinkable.

Stuart 8.5/10 visit June 2003

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 Holland Vismijit, 4 Vismarkt.

A locals pub next to the fish market which today (being Sunday) is being used to sell books etc.  This remains a true locals pub because it doesn’t sell food. All credit to the owner for keeping the pub this way; when he could make easy money selling food in this location.   Tour de France is on the TV with the volume low. Karaoke background music with Glen Miller, Elvis and Little Richard. Average beer list with 30 or so bottled beers, which are reasonably priced with no bottled beer over 3 Euros. Good atmosphere, enjoyable visit.

John 8.5/10 visit July 2008

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De Kelk, 69 Langestraat

A small pub on the road which is going away from the main square. Outside the pub a bike race is going on, with the road shut down to cars. The locals are outside cheering the riders. The friendly locals told me they organised this to annoy a local yuppie who wants to close down the pub and everything on the road. The décor inside is dark gothic, with a good atmosphere. The beer list was great with some old favourites on it. The barman had a Westvleteren 12 for special occasions.  I visited this pub at the right moment. Opens 1700 hours: closed on Monday.

John 9/10 visit July 2008

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Kleine Nachtmuziek, 60 Sint Jakobsstraat,

You know this place is going to be a little different, when you see the empty bottles and cases of malt whiskies displayed in the window. Inside there are two pianos, candles on the table, Guinness posters and an old guitar!  Menu is in a lever arch file and includes a history of Irish coffee, as well as a impressive beer list which has Roman beers are the house beers and a great choice of Scottish malt whiskies. An eccentric sort of pub with a laid-back atmosphere.  Open from 1800 hours, closed Wednesday. A great place. 

John 9/10 visit July 2008  

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Kluiver, 12 Hoogstraat

From the outside this place looks like a restaurant. While it does do snacks it is okay to have a drink in here! The name of the pub comes from a sail from a sailboat; hence the sail on the ceiling and nautical theme. Exposed brick and candles on the tables add to the laid-back atmosphere of the place. Not a great beer list, but it covers all the bases. Friendly locals at the bar. Closed on Tuesday and Wednesday, opens 1600 hours other days, except on Thursday at 1800 hours.   

John 7.5/10 visit July 2008

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Kuppe Kaiperstraat 19

Menu claims it does 100 kinds of beers. A good section of Bruges breweries on draught, but the beer menu is mainly mainstream beers. Modern décor with black beans, wooden ceiling and lots of bar stool seating. Unlike a lot of pubs in Bruges, this one doesn't do food. Looks like they are still working on the beer memorabilia around the walls. Opens 14-00 hours, Saturday and Sundays.

John 8/10 visit April 2005

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 Leopold, 26 t’Zand

T’Zand is where the coaches drop the tourists off to go into centre of Bruges. So there is a row of cafes and restaurants waiting for those people who can’t wait to eat and drink before they go into the centre of Bruges. The Leopold is near the end of the street and has a better beer list than most of the cafes along this street. Not so crowded after 1900 hours when most of the coaches have gone off. Closed on Wednesday and Thursday.

John 7/10 visit July 2008  

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Le Garre, Markt

Come in by accident whilst looking for a café, but worthwhile as it's possible to have a beer! Warm with open fire, lovely views of the town square, and very friendly service. Bruges Blonde excellent.

Sue 8/10 visit Feb 2001

Nice upmarket café on the main square. Old place with wood panelling, paintings on the wall and a nice fireplace. More into food than drink , but it's okay to have a drink - at least on a week-day in February when it's not very busy!

John 7.5/10 Visit Feb 2001

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Ovenne, 6 Braamberstraat,

Friendly café not far of the central square. Good beer menu which was big on Chimay and Corsendork, unfortunately they seem to think having Bud on it, is a big advantage! Bit of a football theme with various football memorabilia involving the local club, FC Bruges.

John 7.5/10 visit June 2003

Cheaper priced beer. A friendly local with a football theme and fuseball machine. A birthday party was underway when we were there.

Stuart 8/10 visit June 2003

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Snuffel, 47/49 Ezelstraat

This is a backpackers pub which is open to all. This means the barman is also a hostel receptionist! The beer list of 30 beers includes the contract brew Oxfam dark and blonde. Prices are the cheapest in Bruges, with a bottle of Duvel only 2.40 Euros, compared to 3.20 elsewhere in Bruges. Décor is basic and boring who needs green walls! As you might expect a good international crowd including Aussies and Italians.   Had an enjoyable visit.

John 8/10 visit July 2008  

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 Cafe Stokekershis, 7 Langestraat

A pub which is easy to pass and hopefully a lot of tourists do just that! The name of this pub means distillery house which means it specialises in Belgian genver. While décor is nicely olde worlde, including wood panelled walls and low lighting, the pub does no food.  Nice cosy laid-back atmosphere. Opens 1830 hours; closed Tuesday and Wednesday.

John 8/10 visit July 2008  

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T' dreupelhuisje, 9 Kemelstraat,

Wonderful geneve bar of great character, lots of different types of geneve on the menu including lots of fruit ones! most starting at 2 euros. Nice cosy candle-lit atmosphere, mural on the wall involving geneve is colourful! Featuring geneve from the Cockney distillery, as I am London born, the least I can do is drink it!

John 8.5/10 visit April 2005

Very close to the Brugs Beertje. Specialising in geneve. Most are 2 euros. Friendly bar service and peanuts gratis. Painting of drunken scenes on the walls with a steep staircase. Worth a try as a warm up for the Brugs Beertje!

Stuart 7.5/10 Visit June 2003

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Terrasttje, 45 Genthof

Café which is close to the canal and has a outdoor drinking area to watch the boats go by. Nice hideaway café in is small inside but this doesn’t stop the owners doing good bar snacks. Not to crowded on my visit. The café had a relaxed atmosphere. Close to the Vlissinge which is next on the list.

John 7/10 visit June 2006

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De Verloren Hoek, 178 Carmerstraat

Traditional cafe on the edge of the city limits with a green and a windmill across the road. Not too many tourists get out this way. Traditional décor including wood panelled walls, wooden chairs and tables. Despite it being July it is cold and wet, so the heating being on is welcome! Local beer Bruge Zot is on draught in dark and blonde, most cafes in Bruges only have the blonde. Locally brewed Zot is 3 Euros where nationally brewed Cristal Alken is 1.70 euros! Nice café. Closed Tuesday and Wednesday.

John 7.5/10 July 2008

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Vlissinghe, 22A Blekerstraat,

Web site www.cafevlissinghe.be

A wonderful café established in 1515, inside you can feel the history. Nice décor including old prints, old fireplace and old bric-a-brac. Beer garden around the back is great for the summer. A little of the tourist track , but well worth making the effort to find. Not a great beer menu, but a place soaked in atmosphere. Closed Monday and Tuesday.

John 9/10 visit April 2005

A café has been here since 1515. beautifully panelled wooded interior with a large fire place. Freezes on the walls with scenes of time gone by. Flaking paint, studded leather chairs and a simple beer menu. Food served till late. WC is outside and a bit too close to the beer garden.

Stuart 8/10 visit June 2003
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Zolder, 53 Vlamingstraat

Cellar bar café, which seems to have similar décor to the Curiosa just down the road. Dimly-lit cosy atmosphere, with an old map of Belgian regions, as well as various beer memorabilia on the walls. St Brenardus Tripel on draught makes for a nice bonus.

John 8/10 visit June 2003

Another cellar bar with an impressive fireplace. The stairs are again very steep and you risk hitting your head if you are over 5'10". Good beer selection

Stuart 8/10 visit June 2003.

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DAMME

Damme is a half hour boat ride from Bruges. The start point is on the Northern outskirts of Bruges or take the 43 bus from the central main square in Bruges.  Damme is a small village with everything centred around the Central Square.

Oude Speye, 7 Kerkstraat

This place seems to be into its food. There are some drinking tables and stools next to the bar.  This is a lovely old building with genuine old beams going through the ceiling and some interesting paintings on the wall. The beer list with the menu was small, althoughr beer guides claim it has a large list. Crisps are served with the beer. Closed Monday and Tuesday from September to June.

John 7.5/10 visit July 2008

Goldies, 18A   Kerkstraat

An upmarket café which has marble table tops and wicker chairs. Oldie records are the theme here. Vinyl records are on the walls and oldies playing in the background. Service was slow, but it was raining outside and I wasn’t in a hurry. Whilst crisps and peanuts were served with the beer, my beer, Orval, was 4.20 euros making this more expensive than Bruges! Good barman, who did the waiters job. Closed  Thursday.

John 6/10 July 2008

Cafe t’Wapen Van Damme, 23 Kerkstraat

Friendly café overlooking the main square; unlike a lot of cafes in Damme this one is not into its food. While the beer choice was average they did have a section for local beers. I had the Kapel viven. Wood panelled walls with photos of old Damme. Seems very much to me to be a locals café. Beer served with nuts again! Pub did seem to have in bit of a fly problem at the time of visit!

John 8/10 visit July 2008 

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BRUSSELS CITY CENTRE

While Brussels is the capital of Belgium and Europe, if you don't drink and enjoy the cafes below it's probably one of the most boring cities in the world ! Brussels' road signs are in Flemish and French; the guide is using the French road names. Last visited June 2006.

CITY CENTRE

A La Becasse, 9 Rue Tabora

Another old favourite with -wood-panelling . I think the name is French for a dunlin - a wading bird. Very lively, with singing patrons, and crowded. Extremely atmospheric.

Sue 8.5/10 visit Feb 1999

Kreik served in stoneware jugs. Rows of wooden tables remind me a little bit of Bamberg's rauchbier hostlery.

Stuart 8/10 visit Nov 1999

Nice old café down an alleyway with the prices and list of beers outside. Seating in rows of wooden chairs and tables, rather like a German beer hall which makes it atmospheric. Specialist Kreik place, which serves it in stoneware jugs.

John 8.5/10 visit June 2006

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Au Soleil, 86 Rue du Marche au Charbon

A students' bar near the Halloween; very lively and friendly, if a little basic. Pretty view onto the cobbled street, to the church opposite.

Sue 7.5/10 visit Feb 1999

A café in the centre of the city with reasonable prices for beer and food, which attracts a lot of students who in turn give this place a lot of atmosphere. Beer menu is on a blackboard below the bar; good waiter service.

John 8/10 visit Feb 2001

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Au Bon Vieux Temps, Impasse St Nicolas off 12 Rue Marche aux Herbes

A beautiful old pub in an alleyway off the centre. Stained-glass windows and panels were stunning. Wood-panelling with beer names on - very atmospheric. Huge fireplace with jugs and jars over it. Lots of cosy corners. Had a locals' feel to it.

Sue 9.5/10 visit Feb 1999

The interior had bright red upholstery - bit like a British pub. Wood panels and if you want to go to the toilets the bar maid presses a button to let you go in!

Stuart 8/10 visit Nov 1999

Another café down a alleyway, with wood panelling, red plastic seating around the sides, and a fireplace makes this a little like a English pub. Friendly locals around the bar and friendly bar service. Nice place.

John 9/10 visit June 2006

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Bier Circus, 89 Rue de l'Enseignement. MOVING TO # 57 Rue de l’Enseignement

Opening Hours

12-00 to 14-30  18-00 to 24-00 –Mon to Fir

18-00 to 24 Sat

Closed Sun

A small and unpretentious frontage, but, inside, a café with a huge collection of beer posters and glasses. A very friendly barman helped us choose Hellekapelle, Witkap ,Quintine, L'Abbeye de la Bonne-Esperance , so an interesting mixture! Very good atmosphere.

Sue 8.5/10 visit Feb 1999

Unlike most of cafes in the centre, which are close together, this café is about 10 minutes walk from the centre and has restricted opening hours ( see above ) but is well worth finding, for some of the best choices of beers in Brussels. As well as a great beer menu, there are some really nice old beer memorabilia all around this impressive cafe, and friendly bar staff who are more than willing to help you find your perfect beer. The reasonably priced food menu has some beer flavoured dishes. Draught beers are 2.50 euros on last visit. Great place.

John 9.5/10 visit Dec 2003

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Le Cambridge, 37 Rue De Malines

Café to the North of the centre with a outside drinking area. Inside is clean, but basic with very bright lights - (unusual for a Belgian café,) which might be for the chess players! Improving beer choice with Malheur 6 and 10. Two pinball machines by the bar.

John 7.5/10 visit April 2003

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Delirium, 4A Impasse de la Fidelite.

Web site www.deliriumcafe.be

Down an alleyway, which is not sometimes on the tourists maps. Go to 8 Rue De Brouches you will find the café. Only opened recently but this cafe is already the beer Mecca of the Belgian beer world. Most cafes all doing well if they stock 200 beers, this café has 2,000 beers, yes 2,000. All breweries in Belgium are cover, except Westvleteren!! Lots of beers from countries all around the world, strong on Dutch and German beers. Beer trays all over the café including the ceiling! Makes the beer memorabilia different. Non smoking section on the raised platform area. No waiter service,  just ask for the impressive size beer menu. The place to drink great beer.

John 10/10 visit June 2006

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Falstaff, 17 Rue Henri Maus

Very posh place, but friendly. Many people having a meal and we noticed several old ladies dining by themselves. Something you don’t see in 'Blighty'.

Stuart 9/10 visit Nov 1999

This is a very high-class café/restaurant with a nice feeling of grandeur about it, but it's perfectly okay to have a beer or a coffee here. The beer menu is not as good as it once was. Impressive mirrors and stained glass windows add to the atmosphere; lots of seating outside for the summer.

John 8/10 visit Dec 2003

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Fleur en Papier d'Or, 55 Rue des Alexiens

An interesting sectioned-off café on a hill! Café cat very cute. Nice small bar area. Hundreds of paintings and photos on the walls.-Collection of totally random objects! Locals' atmosphere of chatting and groups of people.

Sue 9/10 visit Feb 1999

Two small rooms with one woman service. Lots of prints on the walls.

Stuart 8.5/10 visit Nov 1999

Nice old traditional café, with lots of different areas to drink. Various bits of old bric-a-brac all around the place adds to the traditional feel; as do the locals and the efficient bar service.

John 8.5/10 visit Nov 1999

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Halloween 10 rue des Grand Carmes

The ultimate pub for lovers of fantasy and horror. Huge demonic statues with lights thrown onto them have impact as soon as you enter. Winged demons above and around bar, lit by blood-red oil lamps set into modelled skulls. Huge paintings of fantasy characters. Enormous plants and stone plinths contribute to the effects. The waiter is dressed as a monk! Absolutely excellent!

Sue 10/10 visit Feb 1999

Unusual café with a large collection of grotesque statues created by the owner. Candle-lit interior makes for an interesting ambience.

Stuart 8.5/10 visit Nov 1999

Whilst this place is not really ' my cup of tea ' I do find it very original and different. Dimly-lit with lights shining on the statues and waiters dressed as 'mad' monks add to the character. Opens at 16-00 which meant Sue the mouse was unable to get in here last time we visited.

John 8/10 visit Nov 1999

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Kafka, 6 Rue De La Vierge Noire

A café in the centre - whilst modern has a traditional feel and beer with reasonable prices. Nothing too special here; just an honest down-to-earth local. Mirrors are around the café.

John 7/10 visit Oct 2001

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L'Imaige de Nostre Dame, Impasse des Cadeaux, 8 Rue Marche aux Herbes

Another very pretty pub with cosy corners and stained glass windows. Tiled fireplace with large mirror and candle style lamps. Prints of old-time Brussels on walls. Friendly service.

Sue 9/10 visit Feb1999

Very fancy fireplace in a modest building. We had some croquettes but they did not fill us up! No surprise! Old beams and stained glass windows. We almost left without paying!

Stuart 8/10 visit Nov 1999

Old café down an alley which seems to have a lot of its original fittings, including a nice tiled fireplace and stained glass windows. Bar staff were in very good humour with the tourists! Matheur is beer of the month here. Non-smoking area by fireplace.

John 8.5/10 visit June 2006

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Le Cirio, 18-20 Rue la Bourse,

A very grand hotel,(divided into smoking and non-smoking areas), but not expensive! Drinks were poured in a very professional way! Huge mirrors and red-patterned furniture with cases of glasses and silverware. Pretty plants, lamps and photos of old Brussels. Amazing self-cleaning toilet seats!

Sue 9/10 visit Feb 1999

You must go to the toilet. They revolve, but not while you're on them!

Stuart 9/10 visit Nov 1999

This café is a little like the Falstaff, on the opposite side of the Stock Exchange, but a little smaller in size. A very grand place, but like the Falstaff it's okay to drink in here - in fact the majority of people at the time we visited were drinking. The perfect place to read your newspaper if you are Belgian or look at your guide map if you are a tourist. After my last visit, I am sadder to report there are now, no more revolving toilet seats!

John 8/10 visit Dec 2003

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Le Paon Royal, 6 Rue du Vieux Marche aux Grains.

Upmarket café with a pleasant atmosphere. Barebrick walls, fake beams and dim lighting. Café seems a little foodie, but there are plenty of people drinking. Bel pils from Moortgat ( Duvel brewers ) is the regular pils here, which makes a change from Jupiler.

John 7.5/10 visit April 2003

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Les Brasseurs, 23 Rue de la Colline.

Home brew pub just off the Grand Place. You can see the brewery as you walk in, on the left hand side. Lots of different drinking areas in this new café, including a dining area at the back. For a brew pub the beers were very average. The service was also poor. The café has something different, but doesn't seem interested in selling itself.

John 7/10 visit April 2003

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Lop Lop, 29 Rue de L'Ecuyer

The closest Brussels gets to a international bar. Whilst most of the beers are global brands, there are some interesting beers if you look for them. Noisy, hip and trendy, but beer drinkers are not unwelcome, if you want to buy a alpop or breezer this is the place for you. Upstairs drinking area if busy, sky sports on the TV. Happy hour 21-00 to 22-00, but prices are not reasonable. Opening hours are 09-00 to 04-00! Different from most places it is guide!

John 7.5/10 visit Dec 2003

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Mort Subite, 7 Rue Montagnes aux Herbes.

An old favourite café. Had Speciale Palm and Duvel. Impressive bar with ' gin palace ' feel to it. Huge mirrors, garlands, and paintings with flowers, with Corinthian columns along the room,and stained glass windows.

Sue 9/10 visit Feb 1999

Exceptional café which serves superb fruit beers. You must try the peach! Although the front is narrow, the café extends a long way back. The bar is half way down the right side of the café, and is surrounded by wooden tables. It gets busy in the evening.

Stuart 9.5/10 visit Nov 1999

Wonderful Brussels institution. It feels like nothing has changed here since the 1920's including the waiters! Wooden tables and chairs, plus mirrors which makes this narrow café look bigger than it is. Mort Subite fruit beers are no longer home brewed, but worth a try. Great cafe, great character, great atmosphere! New Marble front on last visit, but inside is still the same. Good value snack menu.

John 10/10 visit June 2006

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Poechenellekelder, 5 rue du Chene

This café is situated near the Manneken-Pis, a much photographed weeing child. All the photos and postcards relate to the statue. Toilets quite worrying, down a narrow flight of stairs. Puppets from the Toone theatre hang up on the walls. Plants, photos and drawings cover the walls.

Sue 8/10 visit Feb 1999

Right by the 'pissing boy' you have to go upstairs. When we were there it was exceptionally busy, but we managed to find a seat. Puppets adorn the walls.

Stuart 9/10 visit Nov 1999

This café is very close to the Manneken Pis statue and by rights should be a bit of a tourist trap, like the cafes on the Grand Place, but it's not. Walking through the modern glass doors, it's hard to imagine there's a traditional café upstairs, but there is ! The café does have memorabilia about the Manneken Pis, but it also has puppets from the Toone theatre.

John 8/10 visit June 2006

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Porte Noire, 67 Rue des Alexiens

Very atmospheric underground bar. All brick-work, with dark tables surrounding a central bar, with rows of bottles and glasses. Stands out in dim candle lighting. Music odd - David Bowie and Led Zeppelin!

Sue 9/10 visit Feb 1999

Interesting dimly-lit cellar café, with a lot of character. A big beer menu is on offer, but they don't always have the beers on the menu behind the bar. Nice laid-back atmosphere like candles on the tables etc, adds to the ambience. Last time visited in November 1999 -not open on a Saturday night!

John 9/10 visit Feb 1999

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Theatre Royal De Toone, 6 Impasse Schuddevelde off 21 Petit Rue des Bouchers

Small bar in a alley underneath a puppet theatre with animated puppets duelling in a glass case. Pretty paintings of puppets and street-life. Drank Orval. Nice beermats to collect. Good service.

Sue 8/10 visit Feb 1999

Amazing place with its own puppet theatre in a rear room. During performances rows of seats are extracted for the audience. Mechanical puppets keep you occupied during a drink!

Stuart 9.5/10 visit Nov 1999

A café which is not easy to find, which is down an alleyway. Three different drinking areas which are all very nice. It's well worth checking out the children's puppets in the middle bar. A café in a children's puppet theatre - how nice for mums and dads! A small beer garden/courtyard leading into Marche aux Herbes.

John 9/10 visit April 2003

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Vieux Chateau D'or, 26 Rue Ste Catherine

A modern bar with rap music playing! Yet young and old customers! Décor rather bland, but nice details such as flowers on bar, and plants.

Sue 7/10 visit Feb 1999

A not very memorable café, which for some reason reminds me of a transport café in England.

John 6/10 visit Feb 1999

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Zaggeman, 116 Rue de Laeken

HOURS MON to FRI 1100 to 2000. CLOSED WEEKENDS

A large street-corner bar with friendly atmosphere. Interesting service of Kriek from a basket. Wood panelling and mirrors very impressive. Strange decorations, including a pair of football boots and figurine, and old beer bottles.

Sue 8.5/10 Feb 1999

Café about 5 minute walk from the city centre, which specialises in fruit beers and Kriek, which they serve with the bottle in a basket. I am not a big fan of Kriek, but the Boon Kreik was very nice. Good traditional feel from mainly older clientele gives this place a lot of character, as well as the old bric-a-brac around the walls with Gueuze and Kreik memorabilia . It's a shame about the opening hours, but this café grows on you on each visit. Underrated café, which is well worth a visit.

John 9/10 visit Dec 2003

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OUTSIDE BRUSSELS CITY CENTRE

This is done by area, for the more adventurous beer hunters. You will need a good map as most tourist maps only cover the centre.

EUROLAND

Where the EU constitutions are, cafes tend to close at the weekends.

La Galia, 22 Rue Jaques de Lalaing

OPENS MON TO FRI 1000 to 1900. CLOSED WEEKENDS

Exterior is a modern class front. The interior is traditional and cosy, with nice red leather seats. Chairs and tables in rows, low lighting and brewery mirrors all ad to the café. Reasonably prices as it is away from the tourist centre.

John 8/10 visit Dec 2003

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Old Hack Pub, 176 Rue Joseph II

MON TO FRI 1200 to 1500, 1730 to 2400 CLOSED WEEKENDS

More of a restaurant than pub, so why call it a pub? Small place with a high white ceiling and various black and white photos of famous people. Disappointing despite the nice De Koninck on draught.

John 3/10 visit Dec 2003

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IXELLES

Stemelings, 7 Place De Londres

A nice cosy place, maybe a little too cosy, because the tables are so close together it's hard to walk through! A little student-like in feel, but a nice atmosphere. Various theatre posters around the walls, a big teddy bear by the window and a nice dog add to the ambience.

John 8.5/10 visit Oct 2001

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Ultime Atome, 14 Rue St Boniface

A large lively popular place, where drinkers and diners seem to be happy to mix together in a good atmosphere. Very busy when visited on a Saturday night, with at least 4 waiters trying to deal with everyone.

John 8/10 visit Oct 2001

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MIDI STATION

L'Orient Express, 11B Ave Fonsny Fonsnylaan

Café close to Midi Station. For beer choice look at the bottles behind the bar. The Duvel was the cheapest I found in Brussels that day. As the name suggest it's done out in a grand style with marble tables, black leather seats, palm trees, and red curtains. At the back are some pinball machines, which seen a little out of character for the place. Nice wood carvings behind bar. Nice café. Mixed clientele on last visit.

John 7.5/10 visit Dec 2003

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Labourer, 3 Place de la Constitution

Good traditional café, 5 minutes walk form Midi Station or across the road from Lemonner Metro Station. Long narrow café with rows of tables, and a covered pool table and table football at the end. Wood panelling along the side of the walls, as well as large paintings of rural scenes. Every thing is reasonably priced on the food and beer menu- not many tourist around here! Worth dropping in, if you are early for your Eurostar train. Was closed on a Saturday on my last visit.

John 8.5/10 visit Dec 2003

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ST GILLES

Le Beulemans, 10 Ave P De Jaer Laan

A modern, long, narrow bar, with a few interesting beers on draught. Wooden floor, bare brick wall and various beer memorabilia on the walls all add to the atmosphere

John 8/10 visit Oct 2001

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Chez Moeder Lambic, 66 Rue De Savoie

A nice cosy, out of the way, local found by beer hunters. Intimate wooden seating, black and white checkered floor, lots of empty beer, lambic, and wine bottles, as well as beer memorabilia. No beer menu on table, - ( just ask ) - lots of beers on the menu but they are not all available. Small bar means beers are brought from round the back of the cafe.

John 8.5/10 visit Oct 2001

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Verschueren,, 11/13 Parvis St Gilles

A basic place which has a good lively student-type atmosphere; the place reminds me of the Au Soleil in the city centre. There is also a house-beer brewed for the café. Chimay and snacks seem to be popular with the clientele. Football teams' names in divisions on the wall

John 7.5/10 Visit Oct 2001

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SCHAERBEEK

Narrenschip, 185 Rogierstraat

Café to the East of Gare Du Nord Station; the area is a little run down, but with character ( are the yuppies coming? ). Cafe with different sections, with musicians jamming in the back-bar. Lively student-type atmosphere, with reasonably-priced food and beer (Duval 80BF). No waiter service - just go up to the bar!

John 8/10 visit Oct 2001

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GHENT

While not so well known as Antwerp, Bruges and Brussels. Ghent is a large city, with some nice old buildings and some good cafes. Didn't managed to visited as many cafes as we had liked to!. This was for three reasons, one it was a Sunday and some were shut, two there was a bit distance between some of the cafes and three we had a few clouds busts. Hope you have better luck! Visited June 2003. In June 2006 managed to do a few more cafes! .

Aba Jour, 20 Ouberg

Walk through a shop floor entrance, you will find this unlikely café. The front part is dimly-lit, the back has views out on to river, albeit not that great. Nice atmosphere to the café. Good drinks menu as well as a good choice of beer, there is a good selection of kriek, Scotch whisky and cocktails. Get the river views and wave to the tourist on the boats.

John 8/10 visit June 2003

Strange pub as you get to it through a dingy a hallway. Canal side location with a nice view from the windows. Excellent range of beer, geneve and whiskey. The downstairs toilet revolves - for automatic cleaning after each use and paper is automatically dispensed. Wow !

Stuart 8/10 visit June 2003
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A Cpella, 33 Godshuizenlaan

Web site www.acapella-gent.be

A very upmarket hotel bar a fair way from the centre . It does have a good beer menu, but seems to be to food-orientation. It's nice to have nuts with your beer, but I found it hard to relax here. Friendly bar service.

John 7/10 visit June 2003

A slightly posh café specialising in food as much as beer. You can drink in the restaurant and do not have to eat. A reasonable range of beers served with nuts as is the custom. The food menu look good but expensive!

Stuart 7.5/10 visit June 2003

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Brouwzaele, 17 Ter Plaeten

Interesting café across from the canal, at a road junction. Original copper kettle bar ( you need to see it ), wooden barrels and beer memorable around the walls. Modern décor, but they have dry hops on the ceiling and sawdust on the floor to show its traditional! A long walk from the centre.

John 7.5/10 visit June 2003

Near the canal near a fork in the road. Unusual bar made from a copper for its roof. Fine sawdust on the floor and a good range of beers. Hops hang from the ceiling as well as copper lampshades. A Ferrari F40 was parked nearby.

Stuart 8/10 visit June 2003
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Deus, 128 Vlaanderenstraat,

Web site  www.brasseriedeus.be

Upmarket café close to Ghent bus station and small red light area ( if you brink you will miss! ). When you walk in it looks like food rules here, but if you look at the menu you will see a impressive list of beers over 150. Not to busy on my Saturday afternoon visit making for  a relaxed atmosphere. Good bar service.

John 8/10 visit June 2006

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Dulle Greit, 50 Vrijagmarkt

Nice eccentric sort of place on a busy city centre square. Original décor including a tented ceiling with flags, slate floor, various bric-a-brac around the ceiling and walls, neon-lighted beer signs. Beer menu with photos of the labels of the beer, which is different or this it for us dumb tourists! Nice place.

John 9/10 visit June 2006

Café facing a square with a large tented ceiling. As we walked in one table had yards of ale standing in a special wooden frame. Loads of ornaments hang from the ceiling. Stone floor. The bar was mainly brick and there were sausages hanging at the back.

Stuart 8/10 visit June 2003

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Goulden Mandeke, 9 Pensmarkt.

Café close to the Galenhuisje. Like the Galenhuisje a old building in a clobbed square. Low ceiling and slated floor all adds to the tradition of this place. Beer list just above average. Café was crowded at the time of visit, but the bar and waiter service was quick.

John 7/10 visit June 2006

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Galenhuisje, 5 Groentenmarkt

Genuine old café on a busy city centre square. A small ground floor area leads up to a upstairs drinking area. Wooden beams all round the café, slate floor and white tiles all add to the charm of this place. The name of the café means Little Gallows House so named because this is where the condemned man had his last drink before being hanged elsewhere. Which explains, why there are puppets hung by their necks from the ceiling!

John 8.5/10 visit June 2006

Tiny slightly touristy pub near the cathedral where a sentenced man had his last drink ! A mixture of wood and brick. Small interior with another room upstairs. Downstairs restaurant.

Stuart 7/10 visit June 2003
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Hopduvel,10 Rokerelsstraat

Web site www.kaffeedehopduvel.be

Wonderful back street café with a good beer menu. Big than it looks on the outside, with different areas to drink in including a restaurant, upside drinking area and a beer garden. Nice collection of beer memorabilia and old tables and chairs, plus most important the place has bags of character. Interesting mural on the wall involving the devil, the name of the cafe means hop devil in Flemish. Off the beaten track, but well worth finding. Opens 11-30 daily.

John 9.5/10 visit June 2003

Off one of the outer city roads you will not find it by chance. Small front bar with brick and dark wood paintings of the devil tempting people away from religion to beer! Hence the name. A small restaurant is attached as well as a rear beer garden. Jimmy Smith was the background music, working on the Hammond Organ.

Stuart 8.5/10 visit June 2003

Closed on my visit in June 2006. Opened again at 1800hours

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Prelude, 13 Bij St Jacob

The numbers on this square are confusing. The next pub Trollekelder is #17 is on the another side of the square.  Upmarket café with leather seats. Friendly locals who seem interest in England world cup game.  Impressive beer list which was strong on trappists beers.

John 7/10 visit June 2006

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Trollekelder 17 Bij St Jacob

The pub on the another side of the square. The décor is cellar like. Almost like the bar should be underground. Not to busy at the time of my visit. The café had an impressive beer list over 130 beers. Good relaxing atmosphere to drink your beer in . Café opens at 1600 hours every day except Monday.

John 8/10 visit June 20006

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Velootje, 2 Kalversteeg

This pub is just across the river from the city centre. Close to the Aba Jour. It is well worth the walk to visit one of the most original pubs I have visited. Inside is just like a junk shop. Too many things to mention but oil lamps, teapots and bikes hanging from the ceiling spring to mind. Beer choice not to great, had a Glosch. On a hot day only stay inside for one. Great place. Opens at 1800 hours.

John 9.5/10 visit June 2006

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Waterhius aan de Bierkant, 9 Groentenmarkt

Web site http://www.waterhuisaandebierkant.be/

A good café can do no wrong on this wonderful riverside location. Old red brick building with wooden floorboards. Dry hops on the ceiling as well as plants all around the café. Busy at the time of visit, but still had a nice cosy feel to it. Service was on the slow side. Outside drinking area as well as seats by the windows.

John 9/10 visit June 2006

Café beside the canal with its own web site. Very busy with tourists and the service was slow. Inside its mainly wood and brick. Outside seating. Selection of beer and food served as well.

Stuart 7.5/10 visit June 2003
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 OSTEND

Whether you arrive at the ferry port, or come from Brussels Midi station ( it's a 70 minute train ride ), Ostend is a good coastal town to be based in. The town has two classic pubs on the same street and a few more worthwhile places. Two things you will notice about Ostend is first, the number of English and Irish pubs, and second, most pubs play a lot of 1970's and 1980's music in the background. Visited April 2005.

Titanic, Vindictivelaan 20

From the outside the place looks more like a restaurant than a pub but if you look on themenu you will see more drink than food on it. Nice décor with slate floor, fake beams and white ceiling. The harbour is across the road so there are windows all over the pub. Average beer menu but a few usually brews.

John 7.5/10 visit April 2005

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Theatrecafe de illusie, Graad de smet Naeyerlaan 19

Good modern café with a laid-back atmosphere, as well as a good choice of beers including most trappist beers and De Koninck on draught. There is a theatre upstairs, as you have guessed by it's name. Nice décor, low lightening and candles add to the charm of this pub. Only 5 minutes away from the rail/tram station but away from the tourist front. Opens 18.00 hours, closed on Sundays.

John 8.5/10 visit April 2005

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Rodenbach, Alfons Pieterslaan 37

Well with a name like this named after Belgium famous red beer brewery you have got to give the pub a try. It has Rodenbach on draught, as well as Grand Cru in bottles. Pub with beams, white ceilings, red walls and green seating. The pool table does take up a lot of room for a small pub.

John 7/10 visit April 2005

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De Komedie, Louisastraat 5

Friendly pub with reasonable prices for the centre. Not a great beer choice but they do have Orval. They also have Bacardi Breezes and Smirnoff Ice, just has they are going out of fashion in the UK! Décor is black and white checkered floor, black beams and white ceilings. There is a pool table at the back. Toilets are up a spiral staircase. Nice honest pub.

John 7.5/10 visit April 2005

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OSTEND'S TWO CLASSIC PUBS

T' Ostens Bierhaus, Louisastraat 14

The Ostend Beer House lives up to it’s name. With over 140 beers on the menu. Long narrow pub with comfortable seats going  all round the café and the usual beer memorabilia on the walls. What makes this place special is Tim Smith who’s equality at home talking and playing dominions with the locals or talking to us beer tourists who have not found his café by mistake!  Tim’s favourite subject is Bristol Rovers. Notice there is a wall on the team. I ordered a Oeibeir beer, Tim gave a second one. When he thought the first one he pour was flat. Nice touch. Great place. Visited 3 times on my stay in Ostend.

John 10/10 visited April 2005.

 Visited June 2006, sadly now an Irish pub. Glad I visited it when I did.

Botteltje, Louisastraat 19

Web site www.hotelmarion.be

The décor to this pub is like a mini Wetherspoons. As well as looking like an English pub the lively atmosphere on a Saturday night is like an English pub. Excellent beer menu, with over 300 beers on the list. There is waiter service, but they like you pay one beer at a time. It was busy. Pub closes at 0200 hours Friday and Saturday, 0100hours the rest of the week. Nice to have a beer at 1230 and not feel guilty about it! Pub is part of the Hotel Marion next door ( see website ). Reasonable rates of 40 Euros for a single room. I good place to stay, I know I done it twice. Classic pub

John 10/10 visited April 2005 and June 2006

Molly Malones, Visserskaai 13.

Irish pub on the seafront. The pub is bigger than it looks and go back to fairway. Not to many people in at the time of my visit. Apart from the Irish beers, nothing interesting on the beer menu. Friendly service. Good food menu.

John 6/10 visit June 2006

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Crown and Anchor, Loddenstraat,

Small English pub with décor which reminds me of a Dutch brown café. Was the only in, then a group of Belgian lads come in and lively the pub up. The barmaid put some music on for them. Then they all sang along, they had one beer and move on. I suppose they was doing a pub crawl.

John 6/10 visit June 2006

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Admiral Nelson, Langestraat,

What a good name for a English Pub. As you except the pub has a sailing theme with model ships and sailing paintings on the wall. Décor reminds of a North of England social club. Beers was from a small Belgium brewery who’s tied house it was. Average beer.

John 6/10 visit June 2006

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Celtic Ireland, Langestraat,

For some reason the Belgians like Irish pubs. The Celtic Ireland has a chain of pubs in Belgium. The décor is okay and is a lot bigger than your average Belgian café. Big sport screens for the World Cup. Back patio where everyone is drinking, because it is so hot.

John 7/10 visit June 2006

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