Let's Go Europe 2011: The Student Travel Guide
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LA FLEUR EN PAPIER DORÉ
55 rue des Alexiens
PUB
02 511 16 59 www.lafleurenpapierdore.be
This brilliant pub just off of the Sablon area counts the artist Magritte and the TinTin cartoonist Hergé among its former clientele. Nowadays, the pub fills its small nooks with locals and artsy types looking for inspiration from the smoke-stained walls (although smoking is now banned inside) and the temporary art exhibits. You can really feel the history in this kooky little pub; La Fleur hosted Magritte’s first exhibiton after the war, and the pub is now protected by the Belgian government, presumably for the artsy neurotics of the future.
Gare du Midi. Beer €2-7. Open Tu-Sa 11am-midnight, Su 11am-7pm.
THE FLAT
12 rue de la Reinette
LOUNGE, BAR
02 502 74 34 www.theflat.be
A popular hangout for locals just getting off work and a good place to start your night, The Flat is exactly what it sounds like it is. The layout upstairs resembles an upscale flat that you might find in London or NYC: a spacious living room, a dining area, a grand bathroom, and even a bedroom. Enjoy your mojito from inside the bath, or sip your wine laid out on the bed. Downstairs, a DJ mixes music Thursday through Saturday, and each night three cocktails are selected to have their price fluctuate—as the prices drop dramatically or suddenly shoot up, you’ll be reminded of the career on Wall Street that you’re never going to have anymore.
Louise. Drinks €3-10. Open W-Sa 6pm-2am.
KARAOKE SABLON
34 rue St. Anne
KARAOKE BAR
02 512 40 94 www.karaokesablon.be
Off a side alley from the Sablon area, this smokey karaoke bar is full of locals until the wee hours of the morn who really feel that they could impress Simon Cowell and co. with their talents. Karaoke Sablon specializes in French music, so expect to hear tone-deaf renditions of Edith Piaf as often as you hear the Beatles. Do not despair—just about any song you can think of is in their encyclopedic playlist, and something you can rock out to is bound to come up. A mixed crowd ranging from children to grandmothers hit the tiny stage, which comes complete with a stool for the slow ballads. This quirky bar will put a smile on your face, even if you just sit and watch the regulars belt it out.
Louise. Drinks €3-6. Open Tu-Sa 9pm-4am.
Place Schuman
Place Schuman isn’t the most lively of places for the student traveler, but it does have a happening club (Soho) and is the place to network and exchange business cards. Expect expats, suits, and EU workers, as well as an awful lot of English speakers.
OLD OAK IRISH PUB
26 rue Franklin
IRISH PUB
02 735 75 44
In an area full of English-speaking expats and corporate Eurocrats, this jolly Irish pub caters less to men in suits with BlackBerries and more to a young European crowd. The candlelight and low timbered roof will make you feel like you left Brussels far behind and ended up in Ireland itself. Approaching the bar, the staff will immediately talk to you in English; if you’re really in need of it, why not get a team together for the Pub Quiz on Monday nights.
Schuman. Drinks €2-5. Open daily noon-1am.
THE WILD GEESE
2-4 Av. Livingstone
PUB
02 230 20 07
In an area full of Irish pubs and bars packed with English speakers, The Wild Geese adds a little variety to the European Center’s night scene. The bar is large and open with round wooden tables and benches tucked in corners. Enjoy a beer outside on the expansive terrace, or head upstairs for a more reclusive spot. A DJ works the floor Thursday through Saturday nights, and the bar’s middle-aged patrons are replaced by a swarm of young Eurocrats who party until the early hours of the morning before deciding to stumble back to their luxury hotels. We’re not bitter.
Maelbeek. Beer €2.50-4. Open M-W noon-1am, Th-Sa noon-3am, Su noon-1am.
SOHO
47 Bld. du Triomphe
CLUB
02 649 35 00 www.soho-club.be
Soho is one of Brussels’ liveliest clubs, situated just out of the center and near the EU district. If you’re bored with the city’s laidback bars and fancy a real dance with some loud music, you’d better get yourself here. The 20-something crowd is a perfect match for the student traveler and a welcome break from the older Eurocrats found in the area. Expect a wide variety of music and theme nights, and a dance floor is big enough to get lost in—hopefully people won’t be able to notice your not-so-cool dance moves. Taking a taxi home after you leave is advisable, as the distance back to the center is a bit of a walk, and the Metro stops a little after midnight.
Hankar. Take Line 5 toward Hermann-Debroux. Cover €10. Drinks €5-10. Open Th-Sa 11pm-late.
JORDAN’S
49-50 Place Jourdan
CLUB, LOUNGE
02 230 74 66 www.jordans.be
Jordan’s is an after-work club, although it doesn’t seem to have the pomp associated with such an establishment. The chill atmosphere and chic furniture make it an ideal place to relax and forget about the day (even if you weren’t at work). Try one of their special cocktails (€8), including classics or Jordan’s specials such as Kiss Kool and Birdie Nam Nam.
Schuman. Place Jourdan is just down rue Froissart. Drinks €2-8. Open M 11:30am-3pm, Tu-F 11:30am-3pm and 5pm-late, Sa 5pm-late.
ARTS AND CULTURE
Brussels is a hotbed of theater, popular music, and opera, and hosts numerous music and film festivals throughout the year. Make sure you pick up the free weekly culture publication Agenda from the Tourist Office, or the free magazine BruXXL (available in English), both of which print schedules of all the hot arts and culture events in the city.
Opera
THEATRE ROYALE DE LA MONNAIE
Place de la Monnaie
LOWER TOWN
070 23 39 39 www.lamonnaie.be
Brussels’ Opera House performed numerous sold-out shows in 2010, including a wildly popular production of Macbeth. Perfomances range from classical opera to chamber music performances. Student rush tickets and discounts of up to 50% are available, but performances sell out quickly, especially in June.
De Brouckère. Box office at 23 rue Léopold. Tickets from €20. Box office open Tu-Sa 11:30am-5:30pm.
Theater
THEATRE NATIONAL
111-115 Bld. Emile Jacqmain
LOWER TOWN
02 203 53 03 www.theatrenational.be
The Theatre National is the official home to a wide range of productions, including well-known plays and experimental theater. The modern building on Bld. Jacqmain sells out fast, and recently announced that the 2011 season will include three original plays.
Rogier. Tickets €19, students and under 26 €9. Box office open Tu-Sa 11am-6pm.
BEURSSCHOUWBURG
20-28 rue Ortz
LOWER TOWN
02 550 03 50 www.beursschouwburg.be
The Beursschouwburg is a haven for up-and-coming artists, and prides itself on supporting newcomers to film, theater, and dance. Contemporary theater is the name of the game here, but you can also catch films, documentaries, dance performances, and temporary exhibits.
Bourse. €12, students €10. Box office open M-F 10am-6pm.
Concert Venues
LE BOTANIQUE
Bld. du Jardin. 29-31 Botanique
UPPER TOWN
02 218 37 32 www.botanique.be
The Botanical Gardens make for a beautiful stroll during the day, but things get a little raunchier at night, when the grand building that towers above the gardens hosts some of the best concerts in the city. Three different stages provide an intimate performance space for artists from the UK, continental Europe, and on occasion the States; in 2010, heavyweight performers included Ellie Goulding, Marina and the Diamonds, and Kate Nash. Brussels’ student crowd can’t get enough of Le Botanique, and in recent years it’s become the city’s most popular venue f
or live music. Make sure you check out a concert there when you head to Brussels.
Botanique. Prices vary by show. Box office open daily 10am-6pm.
Cinemas
CINEMA ARENBERG
26 Galerie de la Reine
UPPER TOWN
02 512 80 63 ww.arenberg.be
Cinema Arenberg is an eclectic little venue that shows European and American films. Catch that movie you missed in the States, or be a little more cultured and head to a Spanish or French documentary. Full schedule and prices can be found online.
Gare Centrale. Film schedule available online. Tickets €8, students €6.60.
Festivals
BRUSSELS FILM FESTIVAL
Place St-Croix
FILM FESTIVAL
02 641 10 20 www.fffb.be
European filmmakers flock to the city in late June to screen some of the most promising up-and-coming independent movies of the year. The competition takes place at Flagey, the independent cinema just off of Flagey Square, and tickets for the films are available individually, as well as for the final awards ceremony.
Tram #81 to Louise. €7 per film, under 26 €5. 5-film screen pass €25. Box office open M 5-10pm, Tu-Sa 11am-10pm, Su 5-10pm.
FÊTE DE LA MUSIQUE
OUTDOOR CONCERT
Considered by some to be a national holiday (it’s actually treated as such in France), the Fête de la Musique is an annual jackpot for music lovers that features a variety of musical styles and performers. Stages are set up by the Royal Palace throughout the city, and the musicians perform around the clock. For more information on the 2011 lineup check the website www.conseildelamusique.be.
Free. 3rd weekend in June.
SHOPPING
Shopping Malls
CITY2
123 rue Neuve
LOWER TOWN
02 22 11 40 60 www.city2.be
Situated just off of rue Neuve, Brussels’ central shopping mall dedicates an entire floor to the department store Fnac, and hosts a variety of clothes, electronics, and jewelry shops. A food hall is also located on the first floor. The mall includes an H&M, Sports World, and GB supermarket for your daily needs.
Rogier. Open M-Th 10am-7pm, F 10am-7:30pm, Sa-Su 10am-7pm.
GALERIE PORTE LOUISE
235 Galerie de la Porte Louise
UPPER TOWN
02 2 512 97 12 www.galerieportelouise.com
Situated in a more expensive shopping area, this mall is the place to go for independent designers, expensive jewelry, and high-class fashion. Small little boutiques line the walkway, including a pooch pampering shop where the ladies who lunch bring their lap dogs to be spoiled rotten. If you’re on a budget you’d better stick to window shopping. The mall can be accessed from the lucrative shopping street of Av. Louise, or off the main road Av. de la Toison d’Or.
Louise. Open M-Sa 6:30am-9pm (most shops open from 9am), Su 9am-9pm.
Markets
MAROLLES FLEA MARKET
Place du Jeu de Balles
MAROLLES
The biggest flea market in Brussels. Anything and everything is on sale here, from pocketwatches to plastic pins, taxidermy squirrels to ferret skins. The local vendors will happily bargain with you, but don’t try to out-haggle them—they do this job seven days a week, and know all the tricks. The best deals go down early on, so if you want a chance of finding treasure amidst all that junk, get there shortly after the market opens.
Gare du Midi. Most vendors only accept cash. Daily market 7am-3pm.
Chocolate Shops
PLANÈTE CHOCOLATE
24 rue du Lombard
LOWER TOWN
02 511 07 55 www.planetechocolat.be
One of the most renowned chocolate shops in Brussels (and that’s really saying something), Planète Chocolate displays an infinite array of handmade chocolate creations, inlcuding detailed chocolate bouquets. For €7, you can arrange a trip to their “chocolate salon” and watch the local oompaloompas brew the house specialties, learn a little chocolate history, and then—wait for it—try some of their creations. Call in advance to arrange your visit.
Bourse. Chocolate salon €7. Open M-Sa 10am-6:30pm, Su 11am-6:30pm.
LA MAISON DES MAITRES CHOCOLATIERS
4 Grand Place
LOWER TOWN
02 888 66 20 wwww.mmcb.be
This isn’t just any chocolate shop. The 10 chocolate craftsmen employed here work tirelessly to invent scrumptious new tastes and treats, then sculpt their creations into increasingly eccentric shapes—we particularly enjoyed the life-sized chocolate baby in the window. The most innovative chocolatier you’ll ever see, with the prices to match—but it’s worth checking out, if only to see that for the flowing waterfall of chocolate behind the front desk.
Bourse. Open daily 10am-10pm.
Clothes
RUE NEUVE
LOWER TOWN
Rue Neuve is Brussels’ main shopping district. Big brand names are tucked between the small cafés and mom-and-pop shops. including H&M, C&A, and Pimkie. On the weekends, the street becomes packed with students and local families looking for a bargain.
Rogier or De Brouckère. Rue Neuve is between the 2. Shops usually open M-Sa 10am-6pm. Some shops open Su.
BLENDER01
18 rue des Chartreux
LOWER TOWN
02 503 61 83 www.facebook.com/Blender01
Shop owner Alexis, personally selects designs and gadgets from retailers, and then sells them to the general public. The result is an exceptionally unique collection; currently Blender01 exclusively stocks several designers, including Grenoble native HixSept L’Oiseau Gris, who makes some rather stylish male clothing. Pieces include a hoodie with a Lego-man printed onto the hood, and a pair of wooden sunglasses (€130). Although some items, like the glasses, are expensive, other pieces are more affordable, particularly when it comes to the quirky wallets and bags.
Bourse. Open Tu-Sa 11am-7pm, Su 2-6pm.
FOXHOLE
4 rue des Riches Claires
LOWER TOWN
477 20 53 36 info@foxholeshop.com
FoxHole specializes in the 1970s and 1980s vintage gear; this is the place to go if you’re looking for a really garish plaid shirt, or just something cool and retro. The prices are student friendly, and many of Brussels’ hip arts students buy their clothes here. Expect everything from shoes to bags to shell suits, as well as some really cool hats.
Bourse. Open Tu-Sa 12:30-6:30pm.
Books
WATERSTONES
71-75 Bld. Adolphe Max
LOWER TOWN
02 219 27 08 www.waterstones.co.uk
One of the UK’s biggest bookstores, this renowned English chain is currently staging a hostile takeover of Brussels’ book scene. Though Let’s Go never recommends coups d’etat, we approve. You can find just about anything here, from magazines to newspapers to old and new classics. The English-speaking staff will happily advise you on a good read for your trip to Brussels. Check out their “Belgian Classics” section, though you can’t go wrong with some Hercule Poirot.
De Brouckère. Open M-Sa 9am-7pm, Su 10:30am-6pm.
Music
DR. VINYL
1 rue de la Grande Île
LOWER TOWN
02 512 73 44
Dr. Vinyl will see you now in this small, hip, and very cool record store. Though most stores in the area specialize in second-hand vinyls and older, retro music, Dr. Vinyl prides himself on selling new and cutting-edge music on vinyl. DJs of tomorrow should come to the Doctor for a check-up and spin some of their own music on the decks that line the edge of the shop. If you’re not sure how a record player works and just need some new iPod headphones, the Doctor will also happily point you in the direction of other music shops in the area.
Bourse. Open M-Sa noon-8pm.
Jewelry
BETTY DE STEFANO
17 rue Lebeau
UPPER TOWN
02 511 46 13 www.collectors-g
allery.com
Betty de Stefano is located near the Beaux-Arts area of town, so expect some very beaux pieces of jewelry from the 20th century. The small shop also specializes in diamonds, and Betty herself will help advise you on the perfect piece to match your outfit.