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Belgium is fast becoming THE destination in Europe for the 20-30 something set. Generation Xers are flocking to cities like Brussels, Antwerp, Leuven and Namur for stylish, inexpensive hotels, great food, and a pulsating nightlife.
Cheap Eats: Trendy cafes throughout Belgium are crammed with students and young professionals. You’ll find home away from home comfort food at places like McDonalds. And of course there are Brussels legendary frietkots where they serve Belgian fries for hungry night owls who want to hang out after the restaurants close.
| Concert Halls |
Ancienne Belgique
The Ancienne Belgique organizes concerts of international artists as well as of local talents. The DOMINO festival in March/April highlights all the music that is situated outside the beaten tracks and during the last week of August they organize a free open-air festival in the city center. |
Botanique
Mecca of rock music, of mad concerts, of exhibitions but also cinema, the lot crammed into the gem of Brussels' neo-classical architecture. End of May, early June, the "Nights of the Botanique" is a roaring success thanks to its multi-vitamin programming and the quality of its musical discoveries. |
Halles de Schaerbeek
Unique location for its programming and for the specificity of its setting : the "halles' (covered market). The "halles" develop a multi-disciplinary, contemporary, engaged and international project that confirms their particular place in the creative geography of Brussels.
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| Restaurants & Clubs in Brussels |
Archiduc (Rue Dansaert,6 )
In the purest art deco style, live jazz concerts. |
L'Atelier (Rue Elise, 77)
With 250 beers, it's the meeting place par excellence of students. |
Belga (Place Flagey, 18)
Its inescapable terrace and its colorful atmosphere make it a must. |
Belgo Belge (Rue de la Paie, 20)
Known for its trendy atmosphere in the evenings, and for the decor. |
Beursschouwburg (Rue Orts 20-28)
The artistic avant-garde set always drops in at the Beurs... and its bar. |
Dali's Bar (Petite rue des Bouchers, 35)
The city's oldest electro bar. Decorations dedicated to the artist. |
Café de l'Université (Chaussée de Boondael, 475)
For a friendly drink and meal. |
Le Cercle des Voyageurs (Rue des Grands Carmes, 18)
A nice cozy place and information point for travelers. |
Le Comptoir Florian (Rue Saint-Boniface, 17)
In an Art Nouveau house, small literary tearoom. |
Conway's (Avenue de la Toison d'Or, 10)
America as if you were there: Bud, shots, spare-ribs and MTV music. |
Le Corbeau (Rue Saint-Michel, 18-20)
Festive ambience in the evening and beers served by the liter. |
Delirium Café (Impasse de la Fidélité, 4a)
2004 kinds of beers: that'll quench your thirst! |
Fleur En Papier Doré (Rue des Alexiens, 53)
Ancient café of the surrealists, when authentic rhymes with lambic (a special beer). |
Fontainas (Rue du Marché-au-Charbon, 91)
Kitsch, cosmopolitan mix, artistic patrons and lovely outside area. |
Le Living Room (Chaussée de Charleroi, 50)
The great show off : lighting & mirror effects, padded sofas and majestic bar, very posh. |
Le Mappa Mundo (Rue du Pont de la Carpe, 2-6)
Wooden boat for an international public. |
Le Montecristo (Rue Maus , 25)
Warm ambience, sometimes feverish! |
La Petite Planète (Chaussée de Boondael, 467)
Pita restaurant open until 6AM, the meeting point of those who cannot sleep. |
Le Ratabar (Chaussée de Boondael, 345)
Relaxed ambience, try the house specialty - the apple submarine. |
Le Roi des Belges (Rue Jules Van Praet,35-37)
Between modernism and retro, the imperative address of the covered food market. |
Les Salons de l'Atalaide (Chaussée de Charleroi, 89)
Restaurant and bar of baroque luxury close to the Thousand and One Nights. |
Sounds Jazz Club (Rue de la Tulipe, 29)
Temple of jazz and occasional concerts. |
Le Sud (rue de l'Ecuyer, 43)
Varied DJ's for a unique drink, an explosive mix of vodka and lemon. |
Le Tavernier (Chaussée de Boondael)
To have a drink, on the terrace or inside. Mainly busy in the evening, with loud music on weekend nights. Big bar for trendy students. |
L'Ultime Atome (Rue Saint-Boniface, 14)
Inescapable canteen of the area to have a drink and eat small things at democratic prices. Pleasant setting and great outside area for seeing & being seen. |
Walvis (Rue Dansaert , 209)
Opposite the Canal and in the renowned street of the fashion creators, a cosmopolitan place. "Bruxellois" and trendy. |
Le Bazaar (Rue des Capucins, 63-65)
Multi-cultural vocation for a varied dance floor. |
Chez Johnny - Claridge (Chaussée de Louvain, 38)
Fans de Claude Francois (1970 -1980) and old tacky songs will love it here. |
Dirty Dancing au Mirano (Chaussée de Louvain, 38)
Hype evening on electro music. |
Fuse - La Démence (Rue Blaes, 208)
The best and best known techno DJ's but also drum & bass. |
Havana (Rue de l'Epée, 4)
For well-to-do amateurs of Cuban joys. |
Le Louise Gallery (Galerie Louise,1)
Mythic Disco of Brussels, Electro music, Dance or RNB. |
Recyclart (Rue des Ursulines,25)
Underground festivities each weekend evening and a few concerts. |
Le Soho Club (Boulevard du Triomphe, 47)
Open Friday and Saturday as from 11PM, disco. |
You Night Club (Rue Duquesnoy, 18)
A must in the city center. |
| Restaurants & Clubs in Flanders |
Buster (Antwerp)
Live performances every day: rock, reggae, singer-songwriters. |
Café d'Anvers (Antwerp)
Every Friday and Saturday night, this is the place to be for party-animals. |
De Muze (Antwerp)
Folksy bar with students and artistically inclined individuals. Gig almost every night. |
Den Artist (Antwerp)
One of the oldest bars, completely furnished in Belgian art deco. |
Pallieter (Antwerp)
A bar where you can find a lot of artists and actors. Open late at night. |
Brugs Beertje (Bruges)
Brugean café with over 300 Belgian beers. |
Frituur't Bootje (Bruges)
Cheerful chip-shop located between the market and windmills. Fresh Flemish-style chips. |
Kaffee l'aMaRal (Bruges)
A trendy post-modern setting with a clubby atmosphere. |
Vuurmolen (Bruges)
Café to start a night out and open late. Young and lively. |
Bardot (Ghent )
Dancing and drinking. Mainly local, young Ghent citizens on Thursdays and Fridays. |
Charlatan (Ghent)
Rock solid classic of Flanders’ alternative night life. |
Decadance (Ghent)
This nightclub has gained quite a reputation. Open until the morning or even afternoon. |
Hemelsbreed Verschil (Ghent)
Meeting point for foreign exchange students. Free internet. |
| Restaurants & Clubs in Wallonia |
Chez Bolas Bug (Liege)
New Café-resto and wine-bar. |
| L'Escalier (Liege)
Bar + concerts + parties + shop ... a must. |
La Cremerie (Liege)
Pop hits and pop people.
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La Maison du Peket (Liege)
Bar, restaurant, dancing, open everyday late. |
Soundstation (Liege)
Old train station renovated into a restaurant, a café and a concert hall.
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| Jazz Matazz (Louvain-La-Neuve)
Cool & sometimes jazz . One of the best clubs in Louvain-La-Neuve. Two levels with seating.
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| L'Arnaque (Mons)
Cool with Hip-Hop, Pop, Club House, Funk, etc.
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Combo Art (Mons)
Little house with warm colors.
Cosy, trendy & friendly.
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Captain (Tournai)
One of the biggest night clubs in Belgium. Techno. |
L'Estaminet (Tournai)
Cozy pub with a small dance floor, opens late at night (5-6 am). |
| Shopping in Brussels |
Alice (Rue Antoine Dansaert 182)
Urban art gallery and shop. |
Arlequin (Rue du Chêne, 7)
Underground selection of second-hand CDs. |
Bernard Gavilan (Rue des Pierres, 27)
The king of second-hand clothes from the eighties. |
Comic Strip Bookshops (Boulevard Lemonnier )
No fewer than ten comic strip shops on the same boulevard. |
Creneau International Gallery (Rue Blaes 96b)
Design that will strip up those little gray cells. |
Episode (Rue de la Violette 28)
100% vintage clothes at old-fashioned prices. |
Flea Market (Place du jeu de Balle)
Daily second-hand market. |
Hype Shop et Triiad(Rue des Riches Claires 4-6)
Very trendy street wear.
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Music Man (Plattesteen 6)
Specialist in trance, hard beat, techno and house. |
Music Mania (Rue de la Fourche, 4)
Ali Baba's cave for aficionados of alternative rock. |
People Shoes Design (Rue du Lombard,16)
Where you will find the trendiest and most colorful shoes. |
Ride All Day (Rue Saint-Jean, 39)
Brussels' skateboarding institution. A key spot to shop. |
Six Shop (Rue Marché aux Poulets, 44)
Wide choice of clothes and skateboards. |
The Quartier Dansaert Designers (Rue Dansaert & rue Lepage)
The cream of Belgian designers have gathered here. |
What Shop (Rue du Marché-au-Charbon, 74)
Designer gizmos and funny odds and ends. |
| Shopping in Flanders & Wallonia |
Belgian Fashion Women's and Men's Wear
Rue Blanche : Mer du Nord :
Caroline Biss : Pauline B : Mais il est où le soleil? : Scapa : Bellerose
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Fish & Chips (Antwerp)
Sell original vintage clothes & accessories. |
Labels Inc (Antwerp)
Store full of design clothes of a couple of seasons ago and designer pieces. |
The Record Warehouse (Antwerp)
Cute music store that sells oldies, popcorn, rock & roll and out-of-print stuff.
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Alternatief Boetiek (Ghent)
Second hand clothing for young people. Wide selection of pretty much everything. |
| Music Man (Ghent)
Market leader for dance, house, techno and trance albums.
From all over Belgium DJ's come and get their gear here. |
| Music Mania (Ghent)
Biggest alternative record shop in Ghent. |
Kopatropa (Liege)
Clothing store. |
| Useful Links |
Backpack Europe on a Budget
A site you should visit if you plan to 'pack it' across Europe. |
Belgorock
French speaking Rock artists. |
An Pierle & White Velvet
An Pierle is not your average female singer-songwriter. She writes and performs with her boyfriend Koen Gisen. |
Carte Postale Records
Belgian micro-label. |
Use It
Tourist office in Ghent and Antwerp for young people. |
Rempart
Volunteer to do restoration works on castles, chapels, and old factories while learning to speak French. |
Manneken Pass
Discount travel pass for only 5 Euro. Includes free metro/tram/bus for 24 hours; free maps; discounted hop-on-off bus; discounted entry into Atomium and Mini-Europe; beer, chocolate & more! (Valid for youth travel only ages: 18-25) |
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