No matter where you are in Belgium, there’s a party going on – and you’re invited! From 8pm until 8am – in that space of time between savoring a beautiful beer and a piping hot waffle – Belgium’s exuberant nightlife will prove that sometimes it’s worth it to skip a good night’s sleep. Jazz festivals, rock concerts, exotic nightclubs, traditional brown pubs and casinos are all a part of daily life here in the heart of Europe.

Brussels alone has over 80 bars. We need someplace to house our 400 beers! Consider A La Mort Subite a classic local Brussels favorite, or Le Grand Mayeur which features Hungarian music in a bistro setting, or even the Theatre Royal de Toone, a marionette theater open since 1834 which serves a vast array of Belgian beers. When it comes to variety – Belgium has the spice of life. Although we would love to name every nightspot, pub & club in the country we’ve highlighted for you some of Brussels' very best. For information on hitting the town in other Belgian cities please see the individual tourist offices.

Tip: For trendy nightlife in Brussels, head downtown towards the Place St. Géry.

 

 

Music Festivals & Concerts
Event & City	Date	Genre
2007
Jazz in Europe Now	March 25, 2007	Jazz
Nuits Botanique Rock Festival Brussels	May 02 - May 12, 2007	Rock
Brussels Jazz Marathon	May 25 - 27, 2007	Jazz
Fete de la Musique	June 21 - 24, 2007	Eclectic
Werchter Rock - Werchter	June 28 - July 1, 2007	Pop, Alternative & World Music
Couleur Café - Brussels	June 29 - July 1, 2007	Reggae, Funk & Eclectic World Music
Zomer Van Antwerpen - Antwerp	July 2 - Aug 2, 2007	World Music and Theater
Cactus Festival  - Bruges	July 6 - 8, 2007	Modern music
Blue Note Jazz Festival - Ghent	July 6 - 16, 2007	Jazz
Dour Festival - Brussels & Liege	July 12 - 15, 2007	Alternative and Indie Rock
Francofolies - Spa	July 18 - 22, 2007	French rock
Eu'ritmix Summer Festival - BXL	August 8 - 19, 2007	Jazz World
Jazz Middelheim - Antwerp	August 15 - 19, 2007	Jazz
Pukkelpop Festival - Hasselt	August 16 - 18, 2007	Alternative and Indie Rock
Nuits des Choeurs	August 23 - 25, 2007	Choral music and more
Audi Jazz Festival	Sep 22 - Dec 10, 2007	Jazz
International Adolphe Sax Competition - Dinant	Oct 30 - Nov 10, 2007	Saxophone / Jazz
2008
Brussels Jazz Marathon	May 23 - 25, 2008	Jazz
24th Music Festival Brussels	June 19 - 22, 2008	Eclectic
Couleur Café - Brussels	June 27 - 29, 2008	Reggae, Funk & Eclectic World Music
Cactus Festival  - Bruges	July 11 - 12, 2008	Modern music
Francofolies - Spa	July 16 - 20, 2008	French rock
Dour Festival - Brussels & Liege	July 18 - 20, 2008	Alternative and Indie Rock
Brussels Summer Festival (EU'RITMIX)	August 8 - 24, 2008	Jazz World

Film Festivals
Event & City	Date
2007
6th Edition of the 24 Hours of Cult Films - Herve	January 26 - 28, 2007
22nd International Love Film Festival - Mons	February 9 - 16, 2007
Anima, Animation Film Festival - Brussels	February 16 - 25, 2007
Festival of Belgian Film - Moustier	March 7 - 11, 2007
Brussels International Fantasy Film Festival	April 5 - 17, 2007
Courtisane Short Film Festival - Ghent	May 3 - 6, 2007
Brussels European Film Festival	June 29 - July 07, 2007
Flanders International Film Festival - Ghent	October 09 - 20, 2007
RIFE: Film Festival for Children - Louvier	October 30 - November 2, 2007
2008
6th Edition of the 24 Hours of Cult Films - Herve	January 24, 2008
Anima, Animation Film Festival - Brussels	February 1 - 9, 2008
22nd International Love Film Festival - Mons	February 8 - 15, 2008
Festival of Belgian Film - Moustier	March 5 - 9, 2008
Brussels International Fantasy Film Festival	March 27 - April 8, 2008

Gambling

Must be over 21 years old. Passport and drivers license required.

There are Casinos in:Brussels, Blankenberge, Chaudfontaine, Dinant, Knokke-Heist, Middlekerke, Namur, Oostende and Spa.

 

Bars
Venue	Description
A La Mort Subite rue Montagne aux Herbes Potageres 7	Delightful 19th century café named for a dice game with long wooden benches, high ceilings and an array of mirrors are part of the charm.
Au Bon Vieux Temps Rue du Marché aux Herbes 12	This tiny bar is like a cross between a parish church and your grandmother's living room, featuring stained glass windows and a number of clocks, all of which have stopped.
La Bécasse Taborastraat 11	Business started in 1877, and the interior hasn't changed since, quite cozy-and always crowded. Come here for the traditional Brussels beer, lambic and gueuze.
Le Cerceuil Haringstraat 10-12	This somewhat macabre bar is decorated with skulls, coffins and other deathly memorabilia.
Le Cirio rue de la Bourse 18	On the other side of the Grand Place is 118 year old Le Cirio, among the city’s most atmospheric bars and home to half and half, a mix of white wine and champagne.
Delirium Café impasse de la Fidelite 4a	2004 beers but sometimes 2500 depending on the season. Nice place open until 4 am (1am on Sunday).
Mappamundo rue du Pont de la Carpe 2	Big bar with a terrace. International crowd and wood-lined labyrinths.
O'Reilly's Place de la Bourse 1	Biggest Irish pub in the capital. Open until 4 am on week-ends.
L e Tavernier Chée de Boondael 445	Very busy place with a vast terrace area and interior space.
Theatre Royal de Toone Impasse de Schuddeveldgang, 6	A marionette theater that opened in 1834, serves a vast array of Belgian beers. The atmosphere is boisterous, mixing students with visitors and locals.

Nightclubs
Venue	Description
Bazaar Rue des Capucins 63	After midnight this restaurant turns into a living lounge bar with cool music and good eclectic dee jays.
Le Cercle rue Sainte Anne 20-22	Located in the Sablon area of Brussels, this little disco-bar is a great place to go dancing all night long.
Chez Johnny Chaussee de Louvain 30	Party time on a different level. You dance to old-fashioned, uncool hits, classics or a few more well-known titles.
Le Fuse Rue Blaes 208	A mixed gay/straight techno, house and drum 'n' bass club that boasts international DJs. Temple of techno music on Saturdays. Food Club on the second floor.
Nostalgia Club Rue de la Fourche 49	This place is well known for the music: oldies and hits from the 70's, 80's, 90's.
You Club rue Duquesnoy 18	Psyche-high-tech deco and groovy music.

 

Live Music
Venue	Description
Archiduc rue A.Dansaert 6	An Art Deco bar that is home to artists and hosts many concerts, especially during fall & winter. Saturday's "Jazz After Shopping" and Sunday's "Round About Five", both from 5-7 pm.
Cafe Belga place Flagey 18	Its terrace is a must. Its trendy music and colorful atmosphere have made it a classic Brussels hot spot.
Beursschouwburg rue A.Orts 20-28	Theater-bar recently renovated. Its long bar leaves room for an artistic and intellectual crowd. Music is ubiquitous.
Bizon rue du Pont de la Carpe 7	Nice little bar where jam sessions, blues and special vodkas come together. Every Monday Bizon Blues Jam Session.
Cabaret Aux Chansons Marche au fromage 22 bis	Music with lyrics, jazz and original compositions, live.
Café Central Rue Borgval 14-16	Lively and trendy ambience all year thanks to mini-concerts, theme film screenings and wicked DJ sets (all free).
Goupil le Fol Rue de la Violette 22	Two story bar that looks like a junk shop with a juke box that plays Piaf, Brel or Ferre until the wee small hours.
Music Village Rue des Pierres 50	Every Thu, Fri & Sat (+ some exceptional days) : live concerts with the very best of Belgian and International Jazz Stars starting at 8:30pm.
PP Café Rue Jules Van Praet 28	Young musical talent as well as famous and experienced jazz musicians play regularly. Concerts are usually free.
Sounds Jazz Club Rue de la Tulipe 28	The Sounds is a jazz institution in Brussels. Live jazz music 6 nights a week.

Restaurants with Entertainment
Venue	Description
H20 Rue Marché au Charbon 27	A bistro that plays classical music.
Le Bazaar Rue des Capucins 63	World cuisine and world music.
Le Grand Mayeur Place du Grand Sablon 43	Entertainment features Hungarian style violinists playing everything : jazz, swing, classical music, & gypsy melodies.
Le Jardin de ma Soeur 61 Quai au Bois à Brûler	Cafe-theater where you can sample delicious cocktails. Most bohemian spot in Brussels.
The Magic Rubens Rue de la Montagne 4	Eat and drink in an interior revolving around Art and Magic. Magic show every 1st & 3rd Saturday of the month.

Restaurants Open Late
Venue	Description
Le Bar a Tapas Rue Borgval 11	For big late night appetites and little bites Iberian style.
Biberium Cantersteen 55	French cuisine and Mediterranean dishes until midnight.
Le Cap Place vieille Halle aux Blés 28	Brasserie food open until midnight, 1 am on weekends .
L'Echalote Rue des Fleurs 8	Open until 6am.
Khnopff Rue Saint Bernard 1	Restaurant- lounge bar open until 11:30 pm.
La Roue d'Or Rue des Chapeliers 26	Belgian specialties, very nice decor reminiscent of Magritte. Until 12:30 am.
Si Bemol Rue des Fleurs 20	Open every night till 6:30 a.m. Small night restaurant that has been open for 30 years.

Entertainment Links
Entertainment Links	Description
www.boups.com	Reference point for evenings in Brussels.
www.brusselsinternational.be	Search engine for bars and nightclubs.
www.ebru.be	Cafes & bars.
www.flagey.be	Film festivals, music festivals and exhibitions.
www.noctis.com	Everything nightlife.
www.opt.be	Search engine for bars and cafes.
www.belgobar.com	Search engine for bars and cafes.
www.sherpa.be	Rock music and other tickets.
www.livenation.be	Rock music and other tickets.
www.jazztours.org	Jazz events and tours.
www.wbgo.org	Jazz events and tours.

Dress Codes & Drinking Age

Dress Codes

It is best to contact the establishment you want to visit for specific dress codes. As a general rule, sneakers are not permitted and in some places jeans are not permitted either. For best results dress Smart Casual.

The drinking age in Belgium is 18.