Today, we can tell you about four unique bars in Brussels. We have seen and experienced a lot in the Belgian capital, and we will soon tell you more. It rained heavily the first day and it was a bit difficult to take good pictures outdoors. For now, we can show you four different, cool and interesting bars.
Table of contents
Unique bars in Brussels
There are plenty of cool bars in Brussels, which is perhaps not surprising given that Belgium is a real beer country. They are extremely proud of their beer, and there are plenty of small and large breweries. Beer is not to be drunk just any old way, but rather with care and enjoyment.
For example, did you know that beer should be served with a thick layer of foam to best preserve its flavours? Beer is to the Belgians what champagne is to the French. Whether you like beer or not. Here are four cool bars in Brussels.
1. delirium café
If you're going to visit one beer bar in Brussels, it's the Delirium Café! It has the largest selection of beer in the world with over 3000 different beers from over 60 different countries. Back in 2004 they boasted 2004 different beers, which got them into the Guinness Book of Records. On the lower level you order beer in bottles and on the upper level you order beer on tap. Very nice and very nice atmosphere!
Incidentally, just outside the pub you will find the small statue "Jeanneke Pis", which is like a little sister to the more famous Manneken Pis statue. The popular pub has actually expanded to Rio de Janeiro, Japan, Sao Paolo, Warsaw, Lisbon and Leesburg in the US.
- Find here: Impasse de la Fidélité 4
- Read more: Company website
2. poultry cellar
The Poechebellekelder pub has a name that translates as 'puppet cellar', which is pretty much what it is. This venue, which has been around since 1806, once played host to a lively puppet theatre. Now the marionettes entertain pub goers by hanging and dangling from the ceiling.
You can choose from 150 different beers while you're here. The owner, Michel de Triest, is a big beer lover who has sought out microbrewery beers all around. While some tourists do come here, many locals do too.
There are even regulars who have their names engraved in copper plates on the tables. But even if you're not a regular, you can pop in and order a vintage beer. Located right opposite the famous Manneken Pis statue, the pub is not hard to find.
- Find here: Rue du chêne 5
- Read more: Company website
3. the gilded paper flower
Perhaps an even smaller and more cosy place among all the bars in Brussels is La Fleur en papier, one of the oldest and most famous cafés in Brussels. It serves simple food, but above all, you come here for the good beer and the nostalgic feeling. This artists' café was opened by poet Geert van Bruaene in 1944, and nothing has been touched since.
- Find here: Rue des Alexiens 53-55 (Cellebroerstraat 55)
- Read more: Company website
4. the Cirio
Last but not least, we want to recommend Le Cirio. Today this is a nice and beautiful old café with decorations from 1909, where you can enjoy a beer or a drink. It is located in the centre of Brussels, next to the Stock Exchange. In the past, stock exchange people would come here for a drink, and those who hadn't done so well in business would order "a half and a half".
This drink was served in a champagne glass, with half bubbly and half white wine - a much cheaper drink than a glass of champagne. You can still order the classic mixed drink, which we tried. How did it taste? It was fine, and it was nice to warm up indoors while the rain was pouring outside ...
- Find here: Rue de la Bourse 18-20
- Read more: Le Cirio on Tripadvisor
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This trip is partly a press trip in cooperation with Visit Flanders and Brussels Airlines. All texts, images and opinions are, as usual, our own.
Lennart says:
A lovely city that has been visited many times over the years.
Not with a motorhome though!
09 December 2018 - 7:09
Helena says:
Nice that you have been here several times Lennart! We are also not here with the motorhome, but thought to find out if there is any campsite or camping nearby.
09 December 2018 - 8:48
Kenneth Risberg says:
Delirium Café, 3000 beers made me think of something else, but you have to drink in moderation.
09 December 2018 - 7:27
Helena says:
The name is a bit special, but it doesn't prevent you from drinking in moderation 😉.
09 December 2018 - 8:49
Reiselinda says:
Glad you visited Delirium! Le Cercueil was also quite special..,
09 December 2018 - 7:48
Helena says:
Ok interesting! Thanks for the tip!
09 December 2018 - 8:49
Ama de casa says:
Not so bad with rainy weather sometimes anyway - then you have an excellent reason to visit fun bars 😀.
But that Delirium... Nothing for someone with my decision-making anxiety 😉.
Hope the weather has improved!
09 December 2018 - 9:01
Helena says:
Right? 😉 And haha, no not easy to choose 😉.
09 December 2018 - 9:55
Ann says:
What gems you have found =)
Delitium Café looks a bit like the ruin bars of Budapest
09 December 2018 - 10:34
Helena says:
I actually thought it was a bit reminiscent of Budapest's ruin bars there. We talked about it 😉 .
09 December 2018 - 18:24
Snows says:
These were really wonderful gems that you found!
09 December 2018 - 12:01
Helena says:
Special and cosy places! 🙂
09 December 2018 - 18:24
Maria / Magnolia Magis says:
Number two there...not even going to attempt the pronunciation...I would love to visit! Not for the beer but for the dolls! The husband will probably have a beer while I have a coca-cola... How are you feeling today after this pub crawl? ;D
09 December 2018 - 12:14
Helena says:
Haha, there were some beers, but not that late 😉 So quite ok, thanks! 😉
09 December 2018 - 18:27
Ditte says:
Fun with Brussels and thanks for the great bar tips. Have visited Brussels a few times but do not remember which bars were visited. Keep up the good work!
09 December 2018 - 13:46
Helena says:
We will report more soon! No time to write about everything while we are here;)
09 December 2018 - 18:28
Only British says:
All the classics in the centre. 🙂
We used to hang out at Cirio a lot in our days. When they renovated, they had to paint the ceiling dark white-yellow so that people wouldn't miss the smoky atmosphere of the past. Delirium had a cat that used to hang out with us. I wonder if they still have one.
09 December 2018 - 14:55
Helena says:
But so fun to hear about your relationship with these places!!!! Didn't see a cat at Delirium, but it might have been hanging around somewhere 😉.
09 December 2018 - 18:29
BP says:
Laughed at the name Delirium Café, very appropriate I think considering the number of beers;-)
09 December 2018 - 16:46
Helena says:
Haha, right? 🙂
09 December 2018 - 19:29
marina says:
Oh, now I definitely know where to go when I come to Brussels! Thank you! And if I have to choose one, I definitely don't want to miss the Dilerium café - so cool!
09 December 2018 - 20:02
Ann-Louise Paulsson says:
What interesting bars. 3000 different beers is really impressive. Looking forward to reading more about Brussels later. Makes me want to go back, many years since I was there now.
09 December 2018 - 21:06
Lena - good for the soul says:
Thick layer of foam! Yeah, I knew that. I have a German in my life. He tries to convince me that it IS better with a lot of foam 🙂 .
Hug Lena
10 December 2018 - 18:27