Brussels Nightlife

Belgium is justly famous for its superb selection of beers, not least those created by Trappist monks at various monasteries around the country. Brussels, furthermore, has its own idiosyncratic varieties, notably the spontaneously fermented Gueuze and the fruit flavoured Kriek varieties. Centrally located, A La Mort Subite is a beer haven.

Delirium offers a selection of over 2,000 beers. That’s a world record, booze fans. There are ales from more than 60 countries, so if you tire of the strong Belgian stuff, you can always try something a little less likely to send you into a snooze.

Brussels’ hottest gay nightspot is a great for those who love arty joints with a quirky and offbeat flavour. A hip crowd flocks here to start the weekend on Thursday night, with great tunes and an impressive selection of beers for those who don’t fancy something from the cocktail menu.

Bazaar is a large and popular restaurant/nightclub complex in Les Marolles. There are two huge rooms over two floors, hosting big name drum and bass, hip hop and grime DJs. Many come from London to play to adoring crowds, which makes it better than your average club night.

This one-time cinema is Brussels’ premier techno club. Opened in 1994, it has space for 1,200 sweaty clubbers, often hosting the best DJs from the local scene, not to mention many drafted in from Berlin, Paris and London. Belgium’s dance scene is legendary, so this a must for clubbing fans.

Once a restaurant, Le Wood is now an ultra hip electro bar and club set in stunning woodland that leads the way in Brussels’ emergence as Europe’s hottest clubbing city. The bar is well worth checking out too if you don’t fancy spending all night on your feet dancing.

Billing itself as Belgium’s leading concert hall, Ancienne Belgique, is the place where cutting edge acts take the step up from the small stage. The likes of Sleaford Mods and Sufjan Stevens have graced this sharp venue, which will give you some idea of the hipster cache it’s built up over the years.

Beursschouwburg covers just about every musical genre going: from experimental acts to the very latest indie stars crossing swooping in from London and New York. That means you’ll get a chance to see some of the hippest bands around in an intimate setting that’s far less hectic than similar venues in those aforementioned cities.

L'Archiduc, with its natty booths and laidback atmosphere, has become one of the city's best spots to hear all kinds of jazz, as well as an impressive selection of blues and roots music. It’s best on the weekends, but there are usually shows on throughout the week too.