10 things to do in Brussels concept bars

Imagine a city without bars, that would just be… unlivable! Fortunately, in Brussels, you’re spoilt for choice!

Here we have bars aplenty with landlords and waiters who’ll gladly help you pick your poison. Whether you're tele-working, bar-hopping, enjoying a cosy catch up or all-out, exuberant partying: in Brussels you'll find the right place for every occasion! 

But there's more… Bars that combine a drinks menu with a totally different activity are popping up like mushrooms. 

Do you wish to impress your brand-new crush, publish kick-ass snapshots on Instagram, or treat your friends to an original bar experience?  

Then go for these quirky concept bars and put the following activities on your to-do list!

Just an axe throw from the Grand Place is Woodcutter, the first pub where a pint is served with an axe. This is the place to be for a liberating activity with friends or colleagues (it would be a tad suspicious to do this by yourself, wouldn’t it?). No logging experience? No worries. Thanks to the experienced axe masters of the house, the task at hand will be child's play for everyone. If you have an axe to grind, you know which bar to pick.

Fancy something fluffier? Welcome to Saint-Gilles at cat bar Le New Chattouille. Here, you’ll be kindly tolerated by a dozen four-legged friends. These cuties are great company! And if you sense a strong connection with any of these fluffy beasties, they can be adopted. This seemingly innocent bar visit could be a game changer.     

A rather curious fact in times of digital drift and online buying compulsion: bookstores are thriving in Brussels!

Herbes Folles in the Saint-Guidon neighbourhood of Anderlecht, JAUNE in Jette and Tram{e} in Forest also opted for this magic formula, whether or not in combination with plants and plates. This is where bookworms meet up in a casual bar setting. 

Looking for a hip restaurant where you can customise sneakers? Search no more and head over to The Sneakers Café at the Petite Rue des Bouchers, just off the Grand Place. If the shoe fits, buy it! 

Offering karaoke is not the boldest move for a bar owner, but it depends on how you do it. If you do it right, you'll get everyone up and singing for all they're worth! That's what BOA Karaoke Room in the Saint-Jacques neighbourhood has clearly proven. Here you don't have to listen to any old person singing their heart out; you can book a private room for you and your friends. Discover more of our favourite karaoke bars. 

Sometimes, we ought to take more time to fully appreciate the merchandise. And what better way to do this than by being totally immersed in the decor while having a drink? 

After a visit to LuLu Home Interior & Café in the Canal or Châtelain quarter, you might feel tempted to add a designer chair to your living room. Experiencing atmospheric design in the midst of various goodies is also what Living Room in the European quarter and Marina Bautier's universe in Forest are all about. 

Whether you’re a seasoned geek or someone with an outgoing inner child, we all love to play. In Brussels, you can play your cards right (or wrong) in more than one bar or board game. 

In the Châtelain neighbourhood, you can visit La Luck, a playful good-food brasserie with Canadian roots (yep: poutine and maple syrup). The game guides will help you master the rules of more than a hundred games. 

Le Bar à Jeux can be found near Forest Park. It’s an ideal spot for lovers of beer and board games. You can also have a speciality beer while you play in the city centre, at Kings & Queens Café.  
PC gamers, in turn, find refuge at Meltdown Bar in the university district.

And if you want to be part of it but can’t choose between DJ sets, immersive experiences, karaoke or games on retro arcade machines, head to Share & Fun. There’s something for everyone.

Say no to waste and planned obsolescence; objects deserve multiple lives! Take your broken items to the nearest repair café. 

Bike bars also reflect the current zeitgeist. Get your bicycle fixed over a refreshing coffee or sustainable meal at Cyclovia in Ixelles and Tandem in Saint-Josse.

Did you think only grandmas were into crocheting and knitting? Think again! Crafts have never been so hot. It's said to be as beneficial to the mind as yoga and meditation, especially in a group of like-minded people teaching each other the tricks of the trade over a nice cup of tea. Not convinced? Try it out for yourself at Sip&Knit, Brussels' first knitting café, in the commune of Woluwe-Saint-Pierre. 

The C. RAMIC Art Café is located near Place Eugène Flagey. This art café saw the light of day back in 2002, long before concept bars became a thing in Brussels. The principle is simple: you buy a ceramic mug, plate or piggy bank and then let your painting talent do the rest. A few days later, you can pick up your creation fresh from the kiln. Children are especially fond of this creative spot that is part artist's studio, part restaurant. And as of relatively recently, you can also indulge your talent for ceramic art in the centre of Brussels, at Café Modelé.