CAFES OF
Including
For the location
enter full post code into the link below
http://maps.google.co.uk/maps?hl=en&tab=wl
If
the
Here
is a list of beer styles and some good examples of those styles in brackets;
Red beer (Rodenbach)
Pale Ales (De Koninck and De Ryck)
Trappists Beer (Orval,
Rochefort and Westvletern)
Abbey
Beers (Maredous and Steenbruge)
Lambic, Gueuze and
Fruit Beers (Boon and Cantillion)
Strong
Golden Ale (Duvel)
White
wheat Beer (Celis White and Watou
Witbier)
Scotch
Ales and Xmas Beers (Silly Scotch and Stille Nacht )
Blonde
Beer (Bink, XX Bitter and Quintine)
Export
Stout ( Guinness Special Export Stout brewed in
Saison
(Dupont and Silly)
And
not forgetting your mass product lagers from Interbrew
of Stella
Most
of the specialist styles tend to be in bottles, more expensive and stronger in
alcohol strength than the standard
Jupiler at 5% will be 2.00 to 2.50 Euros
Duvel at 8.5% will be 3.70 to 4.80 Euros
Prices
in November 2011 in
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
Here
is a list of outstanding cafes in the following cities
Antwerp
is Belgium's second biggest city after Brussels, in the Flemish part of
CITY
CENTRE
T’ Antwaerps
Bierhouse, 14 Hoogsstraat, Antwerpen 2000
Along with Bier Central,
this is another good beer outlet since my last visit in 2005. Close to the
cathedral, but easy to miss. For a new place, this café is very atmospheric it
is narrow at the front but does open out a bit as you go to the back. Low
lighting, dry hops on the ceiling and beer memorabilia on the walls all add to
the place’s atmosphere. It claims to
have 140 beers, including 9 on draught, with a sample tray of 4 beers from 9
euros, the pub also has a good selection of malt whiskies. Great find.
John 9/10 visit Nov 2010
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Bier Central, 25
De Keyserlei, Antwerpen 2018
At long last a decent pub
with a good beer list close to Central station; only a few minutes walk away.
As well as good beer menu (or encyclopaedic as they call it) of over 300
bottled beers, there are over 20 beers on draught. The beers are mainly
mainstream but there are a few surprises. Large pub with Swiss chalet style
décor which with seating at the end inside a large beer barrel which has been
cut in half. The seating is half seating and
half bar stools, with low lighting and beer memorabilia on the wall.
Outside seating which seems popular even on a rainy day. When you go downstairs
to the toilets you can see the beer bottles store from the window. If coming in
from Central station this pub should be your first and last stop! Becomes a
more of a night club in the evening.
John
9/10 visit Nov 2010
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Berenbak, 17 Minderbroedersstraat, Antwerpen
2000
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
Café was closed on my last visit, which was sad for two reasons;
one, it was a good café and two, it was pouring with rain and I needed some
shelter!
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Den Engel, 1 Grote Markt, Antwerpen 2000
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
John 8.5/10 visit Dec 2004
Like the Oud
Arsenaal this pub is crowded on a Saturday afternoon
with a lot of atmosphere; unlike the Oud Arsenaal I manage to find a seat! Large traditional pub
which is mainly full of locals. Like some
John 7.5/10 visit Nov 2010
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Elfde Gebod, 10 Torfburg ( 11th commandment ),
Antwerpen 2000
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
First the plus points: there
is a nice ivy covered exterior, a marble staircase and an impressive collection
of religious statues making it one the best interiors in any Belgian pub. Sadly
there are a lot of minus points; half the tables are taken up by knives and
forks, it is very expensive 4 euros for a Orval,
13.50 euros for a spaghetti bolognaise and 2.40 for De Koninck
when everywhere else is under 2 euros and, finally, a poor beer menu. Place is
half empty-wonder why? No summer tourists, this time of year! This has never
been a serious beer place-sadly less reasons for drinkers to enjoy this place.
John 5/10 visit Nov 2010
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De Groote Witee
Arend, 18 Reynderstraat, Antwerpen 2000
On previous visits to this
place I have not been able to get in here, because it was too crowded with
people, mainly eating food. But on a cold November day I have no trouble
getting a table this time! No bar area, but it is okay to have a beer at the
table. A close look at the food menu shows a beer theme in some of the meals.
There is a nice relaxing atmosphere with candles on the table, classical music
in the background and beer memorabilia on the wall. My Hopus
beer came with nibbles; nice touch! On a trip upstairs to the toilets I found
more seats and tables ( must make a note for next visit!). Nice courtyard
entrance like the Waastuk.
John 8/10 visit Nov 2010
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Highlander, 2 Pieter van Hobokenstraat, Antwepen 2000
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
I really like this pub,
unlike a lot of Irish pubs in
John 8/10 visit Nov 2010
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Huisbrouwerij
Pakhuis, 76 Vlaamsekaai, Antwerpen 2000
Antwerp’s only brew pub which
is about a 25 minute walk south of the city centre, the number 8 tram terminal
is in a parallel road. Very large and spacious for a Belgian pub with a modern
décor of glass doors, exposed brick wall, and copper brewing vessels which are
impressive. The
John 7.5/10 visit Nov 2010
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Kulminator, 32 Vieminckveld, Antwerpen 2000
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
John 10/10 visit Dec 2004
Review based on two visits,
the first on a crowded Saturday night and second on a quiet Tuesday night. Both
were enjoyable visits in their own right. A great beer menu which has swung
towards aged bottled beers which keep the
John 10/10 visit Nov 2010
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Miniatuurke,
11 Oude Koornmarkt, Antwerpen
2000
A pub which lives up to its
name, not much bigger than some people’s front room! Luckily for me at 1700 on
a Saturday there are only 5 people in the pub so it is not too crowded!! As you
might expect some nice individual touches including a goldfish in a massive
beer glass on the bar! Not a great beer range but a nice pub none the less.
John 7/10 visit Nov
2010
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Oud Arsenaal, 4 Maria Pijpelinckstraat, Antwerpen 2000
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
Previous visits to this pub
have been during the week when the pub has been half empty. On a Saturday at
1600 the pub is packed, might be because it is raining and no one can drink in
the outside seating area. Good atmosphere while the majority of drinkers are
senior there is a good mix of people here. The waitress deserves credit for
ducking and diving in such a crowded bar area to get everyone’s drink. De Kininck was 1.60
euros. Close 1730 at weekends.
John 8/10 visit Nov 2010
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Paters' Vaetje, 1 Blauwmoezelstraat, Antwerpen 2000
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
The first time I walked by this cafe it was crowded, so I went to
do a few more pubs. Back 2 hours later it is still crowded but I manage to get
a seat. This pub is at the front
entrance of the cathedral with a good atmosphere at the time of visit, impressive
marble tables to drink your beer on. Beer menu is big, but there are no real
surprises even if the prices are reasonable. De Koninck
is 1.90 euros here, at the Elfde Gebod
50 meters away it is 2.40 euros, might be why this pub is packed with locals and
the Elfde Gebod is not!
John 8/10 visit Nov 2010
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De Pelgrim, 15 Pelgrimstraat, Antwerpen 2000
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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Pelikaan,
14 Melkmarkt, Antwerpen
2000
A good locals pub in front
of the cathedral; good to see a pub like this doing well in such a tourist
area. No great range like Paters Vaetje, but it does
have Westmalle Dubbel on
draught and a reasonably priced beer menu which puts the nearby Elfde Gebod to shame! A small
place nothing fancy here, but a good atmosphere none the less. No food served
so smoking allowed here, which might scare a few more tourists off!
John 7.5/10 Nov 2010
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Roden Coninck, 31 Vlasmarkt, Antwepen 2000
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, Antwerpen 2000
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 ) a
John 8.5/10 visit Feb 2001
Sadly
now closed.
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De Vagant, 21 Reynderstraat, Antwepen 2000
Web site http://www.devagant.be/EN/tussenpagina.html
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
This is
John 8.5/10 visit Nov 2010
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't Waagstuk, 20 Stadswaag, Antwerpen 2000
Web site http://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
Love the courtyard entrance
to this pub. Nice cosy pub which is close to my hotel, so it makes a good last
stop. The pub opens until 0400 on a Saturday. Note to Daily Mail-editor there
were no drunken toss-pots at 0200 so there is no story here for you!! The pew tankards from the ceiling add to a
good atmosphere. They have a house beer called Zeppelin which was nice.
Underrated pub.
John 9/10 visit Nov 2010
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SOUTH OF CITY CENTRE
De Pelgrim, 8 Boomgardstraat, Antwerpen 2018
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
CLOSED AT THE MOMENT. WILL REOPEN AS A RESTAURANT IN 2010!
__________________________________________________________________-
CENTRE
@ The pub, Hallenstraat
4,
Just what
is down the right hand road
along Belfly as you are facing the Grote Markt. It is set back from the street with an outside
drinking area at the front.
The pub has modern décor
with comfortable seats and sofas, but is still building the beer memorabilia on
the walls. While there are over a 100 beers
on the menu, there are very
few surprises and prices are expensive. Opens from 1700 hours Friday to Monday
and 1900 hours the rest of the week.
John 8/10 visit Nov 2009
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Bargeehuis, 2 Bargeweg,
A beer café just inside central
John 8/10 visit June 2003
To get to it walk along the canal by
Stuart 7.5/10 visit June 2003
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Brugse Beertje, 5 Kemelstraat, Bruges 8000
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
John 10/10 visit June 2003
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
John 11/10 visit April 2005, June 2006,
July 2008 and Nov 2009
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Cambrinus, 19 Philipstockstraat, Bruges 8000
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 beer! 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, Bruges 8000
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, Bruges 8000
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
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, Bruges 8000
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
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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De Belleman, Jozef
suveestraat 22, Bruges 8000.
An welcoming cosy pub which
is only 5 minutes walk from the busy fish market. There are tankards hanging
from the bar with water jugs and smoking pipes around the pub. The draught beer
is Primus with a few interesting bottled beers on the menu. This pub has a good
back street atmosphere with friendly barmaid and locals.
John 8/10 visit Nov 2009
Erasmus, 15
Wollestraat, Bruges 8000
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
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
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
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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
Flore,15 Hauwerstraat,
A pub with wonderful naff
décor, which includes the following
things; flowered wallpaper, plastic tablecloths, old albums, paintings, pink
walls and an old birdcage. As there is no food served here the pub is smoky.
Most of the people in the pub are around the bar. Just east of t’Zand, there is a market outside which adds to the
atmosphere.
John 7/10 visit Nov 2009
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Gare, 1 de Garre, between 12 and 14 Breidelstraat, Bruges
8000
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
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
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
John 9.5/10
visit July 2008
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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, Bruges 8000
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
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
The beers were contracted out, but the
John 8/10 visit July 2008
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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Jerry’s Cigar Bar, Simonstevin
Square 13,
Web site- www.jerrycigarbar.com
It is always
good to drink in somewhere which is a little different, and this is a case in
point. A cigar shop which has most of its space taken up by an upmarket bar.
There are glass cabinets along the walls which are taken up by Scotch whiskey
bottles, tobacco and, of course, cigars. The beer menu is short and mainstream
except for Kwak and Karmelliet,
but there is an impressive malt whiskey list. Smoking is allowed, of course!
Opening hours are on the web site.
John 7.5/10 visit Nov 2009
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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
NOW CLOSED
De Kelk, 69 Langestraat,
Web site http://www.dekelk.be/
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
_____________________________________________________________________________________________
Kuppe, Kaiperstraat
19,
Web site www.dekuppe.be
Menu claims it does 100 kinds of beers. A
good section of
John 8/10 visit April 2005
_________________________________________________________________________
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.
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
_________________________________________________________________________
Leopold,
26 t’Zand,
T’Zand is where the coaches drop the tourists off to go into centre of
John 7/10 visit July 2008
_____________________________________________________________________________________________
Opkikkertje,
Westgistelhof 13, Bruges 8000.
Web site www.opkikkertje.be
A back street local to the
North of
on a Saturday night plus a
bar. Nice place which is not
going to be full of tourists.
John 7/10 visit Nov 2009
________________________________________________________________________________________________
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
NOW CLOSED
_________________________________________________________________________
’Poatlersgat,
Vlamingstraat 82.
Since my last visit to
John
9/10 visit Nov 2009
__________________________________________________________________________________________
Snuffel, 47/49 Ezelstraat, Bruges 8000
Web site http://www.snuffel.be/
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
John 8/10 visit
July 2008
_________________________________________________________________________________________________
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
_________________________________________________________________________________________
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
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
NOW CLOSED
_________________________________________________________________________
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
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________
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
John 7.5/10 visit July 2008
________________________________________________________________________________________________
De Verloren Hoek, 178 Carmerstraat, Bruges 8000
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
John 7.5/10
July 2008
___________________________________________________________________________________
Vlissinghe, 22A Blekerstraat, Bruges 8000
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, stu
Stuart 8/10 visit June 2003
_________________________________________________________________________
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.
Another Vlamingstraat
café which is a cellar bar. A low lighting, candles on the table, wooden floor,
dry hops on the ceiling sort of place, creating a good atmosphere. Claims to be
a Blues place, which is proved true by the music being played in the
background. A ‘short but sweet’ beer
menu including Westmalle Dubbel
on draught and 25 or so bottled beers, including Hopus
which seems to be the It beer in Bruges at the moment.
John 8/10 visit Nov 2009
EMELGEM
Thanks to Google map it is easy find this pub from Izegem station, it’s only a 5 minute walk. The train ride is 30 minutes from Bruges
Kroegske,
Vijfwegenstraat 63, Emelgem, 8870
(Izegem)
Web site http://www.kroegske.be/
The Belgian pub scene has
everything unique called a hobby bar, briefly the owners have jobs during the
week and open weekend evenings (see web site for times). The décor for this pub
is wonderfully thought out with low lighting, slated floor, wood panelled
walls, dry hops, empty beer bottles and beer memorabilia on the wall-need I go
on! Also there is a fire in the winter. The beer menu is different with labels
and photos of each beer and brewery, as well as a great choice of bottled
beers, there is no draught beer. Friendly owner Danny is hoping to start
brewing soon. A great place, great pub
with great beer. Worth the effort if you a serious beer hunter, because this is
one of the best pubs in
John 10/10 visit Nov 2009
____________________________________________________________________________________-
DAMME
Damme is a half hour boat ride from
Oude Speye, 7 Kerkstraat, Damme 8340
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, Damme 8340
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
John 6/10 July 2008
_____________________________________________________________________________________________
Cafe t’Wapen Van Damme, 23 Kerkstraat, Damme 8340
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
While
Around
The
alleyway pub crawl
All
the pubs are down an alley and are close to each other. Start at a Le Becasse, on to the L’Imaige de Nostre Dame, then on two doors to the Au Bon Vieux Temps.
Then on to the back entrance of the Toone which is 66
Rue
CITY
CENTRE
A La Becasse, 9 Rue Tabora, Brussel 1000
Web
site http://www.alabecasse.com/
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
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 8/10 visit June 2006
A nice atmospheric pub which
has not changed since my first visit here in 1990. There is sometimes a lady in
the downstairs toilets who expects some money for keeping the toilets clean!
John 8/10
visit Nov 2010
_________________________________________________________________________
Au Brasseur, 9 Rue des Chapelier Brussel 1000
A
café in a cobbled street just off
John
9/10 visit Sept 2011
_____________________________________________________________
Au Soleil, 86 Rue du Marche au Charbon, Brussel 1000
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
Still
the same as my last visit with the good students and local’s atmosphere.
Crowded with people sheltering from the rain.
John
7/10 visit Sept 2011
_________________________________________________________________________
Au Bon Vieux Temps, Impasse St Nicolas off 12 Rue Marche
aux Herbes, Brussel 1000
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 8.5/10 visit June 2006
The secret is out, if you
want to try Westvleteren 12 and are willing to pay 10
euros, then this is where you can drink. A nice hideaway pub, where you can
forget about the troubles of the outside world.
John 8.5/10
visit Nov 2010
_________________________________________________________________________
Bier Circus, 57 Rue de l’Enseignement, Brussel 1000
Web site http://www.bier-circus.be/
Opening Hours
12-00 to 14-30 18-00 to 24-00 –Tuesday to Friday
18-00 to 24 Sat
Closed Sun and Mon
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
The
café has moved literally down the road to a bigger building since my last
visit. I was worried this place was
becoming more of a restaurant, but there is a fair sized bar to the right hand
side for drinkers to enjoy the excellent beer menu, with some good beers on
draught. So the diners and the drinkers are happy. Good atmosphere on a busy Saturday night.
Worth the walk from the city centre. Hours 1200 to 1430 hours and 1800 to 2300
hours Tuesday to Friday, 1800 to 2300. Hours Saturday, closed Sunday and
Monday.
John
9/10 visit Sept 2011
_________________________________________________________________________
Le Cambridge, 37 Rue De Malines, Brussel 1000
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
Le Cercueil, 12 Rue des Harengs, Brussel 1000
Web site http://www.lecercueil.be/
On
a small side street to the north of the
John 7.5/10 visit Sept
2011
____________________________________________________
Chez Moeder Lambic Fontainas, 8 Place Fontainas, Brussels 1000
Web site http://moederlambic.eu/
This is the best new outlet
since my last visit to
John 10/10 visit Nov 2010
Good
to see this place this still keeping up its high standards from my first visit.
Most of beers on draught you would be by glad to get in bottles, so tasting
them in draught form is an extra bonus.
Not sure about the background rap music; serious drinking people are not
exactly your gangster rap crowd! A beer
drinker’s paradise.
John
10/10 visit Sept 2011
_____________________________________________________________________________
Delirium, 4A Impasse de la Fidelite. Brussel 1000
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
John 10/10
visit June 2006
This time I am in the ground
floor bar, which is less noisy and less crowded than the basement bar. Good
beer memorabilia on the walls in this bar as well. A shortage of beer menus
means you might have to wait for one. Bar staff are a little indifferent to the
beer they are selling, or maybe I have been spoilt by the staff at the Chez Moeder Lambic Fontainas!
John 9.5/10 visit Nov 2010
The
last stop of the night. This time I am in the basement bar; it seems to have
more lighting than my previous visits or this is a lack of smoke, from
John
9.5/10 visit Sept 2011
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Falstaff, 17 Rue Henri Maus, Brussel 1000
Web site http://www.lefalstaff.be/
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 a
John 8/10 visit Dec 2003
Only
in here for a minute left when I saw the Duvel was
4.80 Euros. Still a classy place.
John
no mark visit Sept 2011
________________________________________________________________________
Fleur en Papier d'Or, 55 Rue des Alexiens,
Brussel 1000
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
a
John 8.5/10 visit Nov 1999
The
beer menu is okay here, but what this place lacks through a big beer menu it
makes up for in charm and character, both with a capital C! Just looking at the
walls and ceiling and what you can see is a genuine old brown café. I have to
say this is the perfect place to relax in. Not easy to find, up a hill on a
non-descript road but plenty of tourists find this gem, as well as the loyal
locals. On the way to the toilets you
will notice a modern extension at the back, interestingly everyone is sitting
at the old part at the front. (Wonder why!) Had Horse Ale at 2.50 Euros and Orval at 3.70 Euros. Great Café. Café is closed on a Monday.
John 9.5/10 visit Sept 2011
_________________________________________________________________________
Halloween, 10 rue des Grand Carmes, Brussel 1000
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 a
John 8/10 visit Nov 1999
Now sadly closed
_________________________________________________________________________
Kafka, 6 Rue De La Vierge Noire, Brussel 1000
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
________________________________________________________________________
L'Imaige de Nostre
Dame, Impasse des Cadeaux, 8 Rue Marche aux Herbes, Brussel 1000
Another very pretty pub with cosy corners
and stained glass windows. Tiled fireplace with large mirror and candle style
lamps. Prints of old-time
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
One of the alleyway pub
crawl pubs. Nice old pub with traditional decor, but with some cold outside
toilets! Beer list is average, but 2 of the 4 draught beers were interesting.
John 8/10 visit Nov 2010
_________________________________________________________________________
Le Cirio, 18-20 Rue la Bourse,
Brussel 1000
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
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 sa
John 8/10 visit Dec 2003
The
décor is nicely upmarket, but at the same time it is okay to drink in here. An
above average beer list, but you come here for the atmosphere. The waiters with
their white apron uniforms almost make this café seem like it is lost in
time-then you see the 2011 prices. They are not too bad for central
John 8.5/10 visit Sept 2011
_________________________________________________________________________
Le Paon Royal, 6 Rue du Vieux Marche aux Grains, Brussel
1000
Web site http://www.paonroyal.com/
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
_________________________________________________________________________
Les Brasseurs, 23 Rue de la Colline, Brussel 1000.
Web site http://www.les-brasseurs.com/en/info.html
Home brew pub just off the
John 7/10 visit April 2003
_________________________________________________________________________
La Lunette, 3 Place de la Monnaie, Brussel 1000
I
have been to this café before, but for some reason I have not reviewed it yet.
A traditional café which is close to the Opera House and is on 2 floors. Very
busy in the afternoon with shoppers, it trails off a little in the evening. The
place has an average beer list, but makes up for this with a lot of atmosphere.
Orval is 3.80 Euros.
John 7.5/10 visit Sept
2011
__________________________________________________________________
Lop Lop, 29 Rue de L'Ecuyer, Brussel 1000
The closest
John 7.5/10 visit Dec 2003
CURRENTLY A ENGLISH PUB CALLED CHURCHILL’S
_________________________________________________________________________
Mort Subite, 7 Rue Montagnes aux Herbes, Brussel 1000
Web site http://www.alamortsubite.com
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
John 10/10 visit June 2006
It is nice to know this time
warp café has not changed one bit! Apart from having normal or grand choice of
beer on the menu! Classic place.
John 9.5/10 visit Nov 2010
________________________________________________________________________
Poechenellekelder, 5 rue du Chene, Brussel 1000
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
John 8/10 visit June 2006
It’s
raining outside, so the café’s large outside drinking area is empty, which
means everyone is drinking inside. There is a small drinking area downstairs
which is half empty; which means I can get a seat. Nothing like a bit of local
knowledge! While the beer menu is good this is much more touristy than the Tarverne Mannekin Pils across the road, with higher prices; the Orval is 4.70 Euros. They still have the puppets on the
wall. There is
a range of cheeses on the menu.
John
8/10 visit Sept 2011
_________________________________________________________________
Porte Noire, 67 Rue des Alexiens,
Brussel 1000
Web site http://www.laportenoire.be/
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 o
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, a
John 9/10 visit Feb 1999
_________________________________________________________________________
Postiers, 14 Rue du Fosse aux Loups,Brussel 1000
Web
site www.lespostiers.com
A
traditional café in the heart of the city centre. Love the white marble tables,
white tiled floor, wooden seating and mirrors. Most people are in the outside
drinking area at the front. An above average beer list on the bottle side,
including Hopbus at 3.30. Friendly waiter service.
John
7/10 visit Sept 2011
____________________________________________________________________
Taverne Manneken Pils, 33 Rue des Grandes Carmes,
Brussel 1000.
Web site http://www.mannekenpiscafe.com/
A
cafe opposite one of
John
8/10 visit Sept 2011
_____________________________________________________
Theatre Royal De Toone, 6 Impasse Schu
Web site http://www.toone.be/
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 mi
John 9/10 visit April 2003
_________________________________________________________________________
Vieux Chateau D'or, 26 Rue Ste
Catherine, Brussel 1000
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
John 6/10 visit Feb 1999
_________________________________________________________________________
Zaggeman, 116 Rue de Laeken, Brussel 1000
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
NOW CLOSED
OUTSIDE
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, Brussel 1000
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
_________________________________________________________________________
Old Hack
Pub, 176 Rue Joseph II, Brussel 1000
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
_________________________________________________________________________
HEEMBEEK
Achtsten Hemel, 1 Peter Boenoit,Neder-over-Heembeek,
Brussel 1020
Get
the 47 bus from De Brouckere at Hallenstraat
(Tim and Joe if you said this in your guides it might have been easier to find!) to Peter Benoit stop. The café is
opposite the stop. So this is what the Brussel’s
suburbs look like! Most of the places in this guide are in the city centre or
areas nearby;
this
café is a long way in a modern square. An upmarket place, with upmarket
prices! With Maredsous
Blond and Westmalle Dubbel
at 4 Euros, and
a
bottle of Orval at 4.70 Euros, these prices wouldn’t
go amiss in the city centre! The beer list is strong on lambics.
Pleasant place but I am not sure
if
it is worth the 25 minute bus trip. I was the only one here on a Saturday at
1330 hours. Closed on a Sunday.
John
7/10 visit Sept 2011
______________________________________________________________
Stemelings, 7 Place De Londres, Brussel 1050
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 te
John 8.5/10 visit Oct 2001
_________________________________________________________________________
Ultime Atome,
Web site http://www.ultime-atome.com/
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
_________________________________________________________________________
MAROLLES
Brocante, 170 Rue Blaes, Brussel 1000
A
traditional café close to a flea market, in Place de Jeu
de Balle in the Marolles
area. Like the cafes in St Giles this café has a jazz band outside, creating a
good atmosphere in the market. Beer list is strong on guezes
and lambics. Café was very busy for an early Sunday
afternoon. Problems with the service; my food came but not my beer and my
get-by French is not working here! Orval was 3.50
Euros. Hours are 0500 to 1900 hours daily.
John
7/10 visit Sept 2011
____________________________________________________________________
Chez Marcel, 20 Place de Jeu de Balle, Brussel 1000
A
small café on the market square with bags of atmosphere and character, from the
old locals standing at the bar to the tobacco stained walls. Seems to be a
meeting place for guys with long moustaches judging by the photos on the walls.
They also have a Whitbeard brewery mirror- but we can
forgive them for that. While there’s food on the menu, most people are
drinking, Hopbus was 3.20 Euros. Waiter who served me
looked a little like Fabio Cappello; so this is what
he does between
John 8.5/10 visit Sept
2011
__________________________________________________________________
Warm Water, 25 Rue
des Renards, Brussel 1000
Web Site www.hetwarmwater.be
A
small place, with a small beer list. The café mainly does snacks on the menu.
Nothing special here beer-wise.
John
4/10 visit Sept 2011
____________________________________________________________
L'Orient Express, 11B Ave Fonsny
Fonsnylaan, Brussel 1060
Café close to
John 7.5/10 visit Dec 2003
_________________________________________________________________________
Labourer, 3 Place de la Constitution, Brussel 1060
Good traditional café, 5 minutes walk form
John 8.5/10 visit Dec 2003
_________________________________________________________________________
ST GILLES
Belladone, 17A Rue Moris,
Brussel 1060
Web
site www.labelladone.com
At
the time of my visit on a Saturday night at 1900 hours, I was the only person
in here! Décor is the standard wood of most Belgian cafes. The café is owned by
a Romanian who specialise in vodka, but the beer menu has some interesting
beers, including Scilly Pils at 2 Euros. Opens from
1800 hours daily, closes on a Sunday.
John
6/10 visit Sept 2011
_______________________________________________________________
Brasserie De l’Union, 55 Parvis de Saint-Gilles, Brussel
1060
Like
the Porteuse d’Eau the atmosphere
from the local market helps make this place. Saxophone player makes for a
mellow feel—nice! While the Porteuse d’Eau is upmarket, this
cafe this traditional with basic décor,
like the old Jupiler beer poster on the wall. No beer
menu, so no prices, but I did see a bottle of Scilly Organic pils in the fridge at 1.80 Euros, which I had.
John
7/10 visit Sept 2011
______________________________________________________________
Le Beulemans, 10 Ave P De Jaer Laan, Brussel 1060
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 a
John 8/10 visit Oct 2001
_________________________________________________________________________
Chez Moeder Lambic, 66 Rue De
Savoie, Brussel 1060
Web
site http://moederlambic.eu/
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. Opens from 1600 hours daily.
John 8.5/10 visit Oct 2001
Whilst
this place has a great beer menu, the last time I was here it was maybe lacking
a little in atmosphere- this time it does not!
While the décor is traditional, all the wooden chairs, seats and floor
are nice and shiny, waiting for that lived-in feel. Maybe to many large bottles
of lambics on the menu, but hey, it’s the name of the
place. There are plenty of other beer styles on the menu to enjoy. The Lambic Bio on handpump is 3.10
Euros and St Dottignies is 3.20 Euros. Only minus
point was the bearded waiter who takes the beer menu away from me after the
first drink, when he has plenty behind the bar and disappears when people want
serving! The female waitress was as good as he was bad! Opens from 1600 hours
daily.
John 9.5/10 visit Sept 2011
_________________________________________________________________________
Porteuse d’Eau, 48a avenue Jean Volders,
Brussel 1060
Web
site www.laporteusedeau.be
First
a word about Avenue Jean Volders, the road outside is
shut off for a market, creating a good atmosphere. There is a Latin band
outside the café adding to the amblence on a sunny
Saturday afternoon. Nice art deco building with wicker chairs, plants and
etched glass windows, also with a friendly barman and waiter. The toilets are
up a spiral staircase. Dupont Saison was 3.05 Euros.
John 8/10 visit Sept 2011
_______________________________________________________________________
Terra
Incognita, 56 Rue de Roumanie, Brussel
1060
What
you might call a neighbourhood bar or a back street local, but done out in a
modern style. The café has a nice laid back feel to it. Above average beer menu
had Hommelbier at 3.20 Euros. Owner not happy the
barmaid has not turned the lights on inside. Closed on a Sunday.
John
6/10 visit Sept 2011
_____________________________________________________________
Verschueren, 11/13 Parvis St Gilles, Brussel 1060
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
Not
much has changed since my last visit here. The club house for the St Giles
football club. There are still the football tables on the wall, reflecting on
St Giles glory days before World War 2, when they won the Belgian league. Hapkin was 3.50 Euros.
John
7/10 visit Sept 2011
_________________________________________________________________________
Narrenschip, 185 Rogierstraat, Brussel 1030
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
________________________________________________________________________
-
While
not so well known as
Web site http://www.abajour-gent.com/
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
Just to the
North of the city centre in a good canal side location. As the café is empty I
have a great view from the window watching the tourist boats
go by. Not
a big beer menu but the owners have gone for quality instead of quantity, which
is why I had a De Ranke XX bitter at 3.50 euros. Like
the fact
Belgian beers get served with nuts!
John 8/10
visit Sept 2011
_________________________________________________________________________
A Cpella, 33 Godshuizenlaan, Gent 9000
Web site http://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
________________________________________________________________________
Back Door Cafe, 26 St
Armandstraat,
If you are
doing a day trip to
Friday and
Saturday and is closed on a Sunday. If you are staying the night in
back street
to the South of the city centre in the university area. As befits the name the
café has lots of rock memorabilia as well as beer and
a rock
music soundtrack. The beer menu is impressive with a special section for rare
beers; they also have some cider, German and kriek
beer
plus a good
choice of draught beers. I had St Bernards Triple at
3.80 euros on draught.A steep staircase, leads up to
the toilet and an upstairs
drinking
area. No waiter service.
John 9/10
visit Sept 2011
_______________________________________________________________________
Bierhuis Castel, 9 Koningin Maria Hendrikaplein, Ghent
9000
Web site http://www.hotelcastel.be/
Ghent St Peters station is a fair way from the city
centre, so it is good this area has a good beer outlet at last. Trouble is it
opens from 1730 hours
daily. Not great if you getting a mid day train to
mouse! See
web site as this place is also a hotel.
John 8/10
visit Sept 2011
________________________________________________________________________
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
Nice
laid back café with a wonderful kettle copper bar. A little out of the city
centre, but worth the walk. Wooden floorboards, with sawdust on the floor, dry
hops on the bar and copper lighting all add to the atmosphere. Good beer menu
with Orval at 3.70 Euros.
John
8/10 visit Sept 2011
_________________________________________________________________________
Deus, 128 Vlaanderenstraat, Gent 9000
Web site www.brasseriedeus.be
Upmarket café
close to
John 8/10 visit
June 2006
The
beer list has been cut down to 7 beers since of last visit. More of a
restaurant than a bar. Food was not unreasonably priced, and as I was hungry
I
had something to eat here.
John
5/10 visit Sept 2011
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________
Dreupelkot, Groentenmarkt
12,
Web site http://www.dreupelkot.be/
A jenever bar close to
the Waterhuis. The drink menu is in Flemish and they
only serve jenever, no beer. Ask the friendly barman
to point you in the right direction. Crowded with a good atmosphere, good to
see a lot of young people enjoying jenever. Like the
tradition, like the place.
John 8/10
visit Sept 2011
_________________________________________________________________________________
Dulle Greit,
50 Vrijagmarkt,
Web site http://www.dullegriet.be/01_Herberg_eng.htm
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
Just as I remember it, with the flags on the
ceiling, puppets hanging from the beams and beer memorabilia all around the
walls. Small drinking area
out the front overlooking the square. Beer menu is
in alphabical order instead of beer styles; the menu
has over 200 beers. Great place, great beer choice in one of
on a Monday
and 1200 hours other days.
John 9/10 visit Sept 2011
_______________________________________________________________
Galenhuisje, 5 Groentenmarkt, Gent 9000
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 a
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
I think I
have told the history of this place in a previous review. It is a small place,
with the outside drinking area bigger than the café. Beer menu
is small
with the draught beer coming from Primus. The prices are reasonable with Petrus 2.50 Euros and Orval and trappists beers at 3.00 euros.
The rap
soundtrack seems out of place in such a traditional building!
John 8/10
visit Sept 2011
_________________________________________________________________________
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 a
John 7/10 visit
June 2006
Two cafes
next to each other both with Van Hachet beer signs.
The Goulden Mandeke is on
the right hand side. Van Hachet means the draught
beers are
not Inbev , but the bottled beer section is not that
interesting which is a shame as this is a nice old building. Opens 1100 hours
Monday
to Friday
and 1500 hours Saturday and Sunday.
John 6/10
visit Sept 2011
______________________________________________________
Glengarry, 32 St Baafsplein,
Web site http://www.glengarry.be/
Welcome to Scottish malt whisky heaven! This place
is not easy to find, at 30 St Baafsplein look for a
staircase. It is befitting that this place is in a
cellar bar as this is an Aladdin’s cave of malt
whiskies, with hundreds of bottles all around the place. What makes this place
is the owner Bob’s enthusiasm which started as a hobby, then a whisky tasting
club, then this great place. Bob recommends a blonde beer with a
is not too bad either. I can not think of anywhere
in
Monday.
John 9.5/10
visit Sept 2011
___________________________________________________________
Grunt, 10 Grote Huidevettershoek,
Web site Web site http://www.gruut.be/
John
9/10 visit Sept 2011
_____________________________________________________________________
Hopduvel,10
Rokerelsstraat,
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
Stuart 8.5/10 visit June 2003
Closed on my visit in June 2006. Opened
again at 1800hours
CLOSED FOR A WHILE IN 2007/8. Reopened
under new owners, but was closed on my
two visits in September 2011 .
_________________________________________________________________________
Plank, Ter Plaeten,
A
cafe on a barge just down the road form the De Brouwzaele,
which makes it easy to find. The upper deck must be a great place to drink in
the summer and the lower deck is warm and cosy for the colder weather. The bar
is downstairs when you can drink your beer at water level. The décor is full of
bric-a-brac like old radio sets, typewriters, rusty French horns plus beer
memorabilia and candles. The low lighting makes the place atmospheric.
Different hours for winter and summer, see web site. A bottle of Hopus was 3.50 Euros.
John
9/10 visit Sept 2011
______________________________________________________________________
Prelude,
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
John 7/10 visit
June 2006
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Trappistenhuis, 164 Brabantdam,
Web site www.trappistenhuis.be
The
outside of this building looks like it is very old, pub signs says from 1600.
Inside is just as nice and traditional, with low lighting, beams with dry hops
on and empty beer bottles on shelves around the wall. There is also a
conservatory area at the back of the café.
Great beer menu with trappist beers at the
front, the abbey beers next plus a good section of other styles of beers too.
There are 2 trappists beers on draught. Good R and B and rock background music. Ename Blondle was 3.50 Euros. My
favourite café in
1800
hours on a Sunday.
John
10/10 visit Sept 2011
_______________________________________________________________________
Trollekelder 17 Bij St Jacob, Gent 9000
Web site http://www.trollekelder.be/
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 2006
Nice laid
back sort of place, with a good beer menu. Low lighting, lots of wood, exposed
brick walls, wooden tables and chairs, but with a newish feel
to it.
British indie music is the musical background here. The St Idesbond
Blond at 3.40 euros is served in an original vessel! Opens 1600 hours
Friday and
Saturday, 1200 hours Sunday and 1630 hours the rest of the week.
John 8/10 visit
Sept 2011
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________
T’Vosken, 19 St Baafsplein,
Web site http://www.tvosken.be/
Worth visiting as this Rodenbach
café has draught Foederbeir. Modern café in the
centre of one of
the day here, but it seems more of a restaurant
than a bar in the evening. Rodenbach Grand Cru is
3.50 euros.
John 7/10
visit Sept 2011
______________________________________________________________________
Velootje, 2 Kalversteeg, Gent 9000
Web site http://tvelootje.mine.nu/
This pub is
just across the river from the city centre. Close to the
John 9.5/10
visit June 2006
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________
A little
walk form the centre; the main reason to visit this café is the tapas. The beer
list is about 25 beers with a few trappists. Modern
décor
with
exposed brick, low lighting and a tiled floor. Surprising at the time of my
visit on a Tuesday at 1300 hours it is full of older locals. Orval was
3.40 euros.
Opens 1100 hours week days and 1700 hours at the weekend.
John 6/10
visit Sept 2011
________________________________________________________________
Waterhius aan de Bierkant, 9 Groentenmarkt, Gent 9000
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
Still the
same my last visit. Great canal side location, as well as a great choice of
draught beers and bottled beer list is impressive. Good atmosphere
at the time
of my visit with noisy locals playing cards. Service was a little slow, but
staff were covering an outside and an upstairs drinking area.
Great
place.
John
9/10 visit Sept 2011
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
Worth a try!
Delirium Café, Klein Turkije 2, Gent 9000. A café with
118 beers in the centre, with not as many beers as its big brother in
_________________________________________________________________________
Whether
you arrive at the ferry port, or come from
Titanic, Vindictivelaan 20,
From the outside the place looks more like
a restaurant than a pub but if you look on the menu 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
_________________________________________________________________________
Theatrecafe de illusie, Graad de smet Naeyerlaan 19,
Oostende 8400
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 a
John 8.5/10 visit April 2005
_________________________________________________________________________
Rodenbach, Alfons
Pieterslaan 37,
Well with a name like this named after
John 7/10
visit April 2005
_________________________________________________________________________
De Komedie, Louisastraat 5, Oostende 8400
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
John 7.5/10 visit April 2005
_________________________________________________________________________
T' Ostens Bierhaus, Louisastraat 14, Oostende 8400
The
John 10/10
visited April 2005.
Visited
June 2006, sadly now an Irish pub. Glad I visited it when I did.
OSTEND CLASSIC PUB
Botteltje, Louisastraat 19, Oostende 8400
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’s back to fairway.
Not too 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
________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Crown and Anchor, Lo
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
____________________________________________________________________________________________________
Admiral Nelson, Langestraat 72,
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
John
6/10 visit June 2006
___________________________________________________________________________________________________
Celtic
For
some reason the Belgians like Irish pubs. The Celtic
John 7/10 visit June 2006
POPERINGE and surrounding area including Ieper, Westvleteren
and Woesten
Poperinge is a Belgian town close to the French border in the Belgian hop
growing region. It is the last stop in the line from
Palace Hotel, Ieperstraat
34, Poperinge 8970
Web site http://www.hotelpalace.be/
A wonderful art deco
frontage is matched by a classic interior with a marble floor and tables and
wicker chairs. There are various brewery mirrors from around the world on the
wall plus dry hops above the bar, which seems standard for some Poperinge cafes as they have a hop museum in town!
A beer list of over a 100
beers makes for good drinking! The café does a single room at 60 euros a night.
The rooms are of the same high standard
as the rest of the café- I
know I have stayed there! A classic café. Closed Wednesday.
John 10/10 visit July 2009
___________________________________________________-
D’n
Hommelzak, Paardenmarkt 10,
Poperinge 8970
Walk down Bruggestraat off Grote Markt you
come to a small square on your right hand side. D’n Hommelzak is in the corner up a flight of stairs.
Don’t worry
about the tearoom sign above the door; this place has a good beer list! The
décor is upmarket with exposed brick, white tiled floor, sofa
seating and
flowers on the bar! A little like a tearoom I suppose. Like most cafes in Poperinge there is strong support for the local beers.
Closed
Thursdays,
open 1100 to 14000 hours Wednesday. Open from 1100 hours the rest of the week.
John 8/10
visit July 2009
______________________________________________________________________________________
The Old Fiddler, Venrnestraat
9, Poperinge 8970
Web site www.theoldfiddler.be
It seems Popringe is a big enough town to have its own Irish pub! As
well as Jupiler and Guinness the beer list has local
beers of Hommelbier and St Bernardus
plus 35 bottled beers which is not too bad for an Irish pub! There is standard Irish pub décor with green
seating and old Guinness ads on
the wall. The pub still has their St Patrick promotions
up in July! Friendly bar service and a pleasant atmosphere for a large place.
There is a beer garden around the back for a sunny day. Closes Tuesday, opens
from 1100 hours on other days.
John 8/10
visit July 2009
_______________________________________________________________________________________
Belfort, Grote
Markt 29, Poperinge 8970
Web
site http://www.hotelbelfort.be/
One of the many cafes on
Grote Markt with a beer list of 30 mainly mainstream
beers with some local beers on draught. Small drinking area at the front,
inside is upmarket with wood panelled walls and hops on the ceiling. Friendly owners,
the cafes does rooms and you can also hire a bike (see website) like I did, to
go to Westvleteren. But don’t lose the keys to the
padlock like I did!!!
John 7/10 visit July 2009
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Hotel De La Paix,
Grote Markt 20, Poperinge
8970
Web site http://www.hoteldelapaix.be/
The best cafe on Grote Markt for beer, with over a 100 beers. A well thought out
beer menu lists the beers within styles with 14 local beers listed on
the first page. The café has
a modern stylish décor with 3 different drinking areas; inside and outside and
a restaurant, plus a beer garden at the
back. Good bar service and a
relaxing atmosphere. Closed Wednesday.
John 9/10 visit July 2009
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Oud Vlaenderen,
Grote Markt 14, Poperinge 8970
Another Grote Markt pub! This has a small outside drinking area and large
indoor drinking area. Impressive traditional décor has red tiled floor, white
walls, black beams and dry hops above the bar. The beer list has the usual
Belgian suspects! except for De Koninck which is not
usually found in this part of
John 7.5/10 visit July 2009
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Cafe Britannia, Ieperstraat
151, Poperinge 8970
This is a good local’s cafe
near to the station, which is a 5 minute walk away from the tourists’ cafes of
Grote Markt- but a different world. Also a big
difference in prices with St Bernardus 12 at 1.90
euros here and 2.40 euros at Grote Markt. The beer list is only 20 beers. Pool and
table football here played here. The TV set is not switched on, so it must be
for special sporting events. Cristal is the standard Pils
beer here. Two non-smoking tables by the door-strange!
John 8/10 visit July 2009.
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Falstaff, Ieperstraat
169, Poperinge 8970
A café right next door to
the railway station; like all the cafes around the station a local’s café. The
café beers are from Bavik-an independent brewery with
a standard draught range-plus Petrus bottled beer
range. The beer list is short, but it does have Duvel
for 2 euros, half of what you can find it for
in
John 7/10 visit July 2009
WESTVLETEREN
If you don’t know the story here goes. Westvleteren is a trappist
brewery; in the last 5 years the Westvleteren 12 beer
has
been voted best beer in the world by 2
beer lovers’ web sites Beer Advocate and Rate Beer.com. Most breweries would
start
an advertising campaign and increase
production. The brothers have gone the other way, keeping production at the
same small levels, withdrawing it from
Belgian cafes and selling it in only two outlets; the café below and take out
service at the abbey
(see web site www.sintsixtus.be ) which means a long wait
on the phone and with your car! While the brothers intents were good, with the
law of supply and demand means the beer has become rare and expensive. All 3 Westvleteren are excellent.
In de Vrede, Donkerstraat 13,
Vleteren 8640 (Westvleteren)
Web site http://www.indevrede.be/
A 25 minute cycle ride in the rain from Poperinge,
which was a little uncomfortable! Once you are drinking 3 of the finest beers
in the world, the discomfort is soon forgotten! If you didn’t know already,
this is the only café where you can drink Westvleteren-the
abbey is across the road.
This might explain why there is hardly a seat to be had at 1300 hours,
in this big modern barn of place! Décor
is like a Swiss ski chalet, which
is strange for flat
hours!
John 9.5/10 visit July 2009
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WOESTEN
ZON, Elverdingestraat 2,
Woesten-Vieteren 8640.
The brewery tap of Deca beers; the brewery is next door. The back of the pub
is for food, but the front of the pub is traditional, with a dartboard with is
rare for
John 8/10 visit July 2009
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A town which is
here to reminder us of the horrors of World War One. The Main Gate is an
impressive war memorial. Cafes have an average choice
of beer.
Klein Rijsel,
Rijselstraat 208, Ieper 8900
This pub is the entrance to
can have a remembrance beer
the profit of which goes to the maintainer of the museum. A 10 minute walk from
Grote Markt. Opens 1030 to 2100 hours, closes
Wednesday and Thursday.
John 8/10 visit July 2009
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Old Tom Café, Grote Markt 8,
Web site http://www.oldtom.be/
Grote Markt has a lot of cafes-most of them with a limited beer choice.
This café doesn’t have a great choice, but it does have beers from the Pater
range on draught and Yperman Ale and SAS Pils from Van Eerke- all
independent Belgian beers. Café has an outside drinking area overlooking the
main square. Inside is non-smoking with photos of World War One on the wall.
The bar service was friendly. The Café does rooms (see website).
John 7.5/10
visit July 2009
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