Travel back in time in Brussels' bars

12 May 2026
the magnificent bar of café Métropole
© Toone Estaminet

With 184 nationalities packed into what is a relatively small area, you can experience the world without leaving Brussels. Spanish tapas bars, Irish pubs, Moroccan tea houses and Japanese Izakayas are within walking distance of each other, and that makes a night out here incredibly diverse.

But did you know that you can also book a round-trip ticket to times long gone? Well, you're in luck: even from a historical perspective, our range of bars and cafés offer a treasure trove of jewels.

Welcome aboard the visit.brussels DeLorean for an unforgettable adventure in the fourth dimension. Cheers!

First stop: "it looks like the Middle Ages here"

Tucked away just a stone's throw from the Grand-Place are some of Brussels' oldest drinking establishments. You reach them through the shady alleys (exciting!) on the Rue du Marché aux Herbes, a route that dates back to the 11th century. Authentic bars such as A l'imaige de Nostre-Dame, Au Bon Vieux Temps, A la Bécasse and the Royal Theatre Toone are brilliant examples of Brussels folklore. With the rustic wooden furniture, stained-glass windows and a menu of abbey beers, it seems as if you were stranded in a medieval inn. Watch your knapsack and money belt, pilgrim!

Stained-glass windows at café Au Bon Vieux Temps
© Au Bon Vieux Temps

How about enjoying a rock concert in a medieval setting? Head down to the vaulted cellar with coats of arms of La Porte Noire, named after the city wall. In the 16th century, this was the kitchen of an Alexian monastery. Today, it’s a haven for fans of Celtic symbolism, loud music and strong drinks. 

Are dungeons, torture devices and macabre settings your thing? Appointment at Le Cercueil. This eccentric horror bar was inspired by the film The Exorcist. Here, Halloween is celebrated every day: you sit at a coffin and listen to heavy metal while slurping beer from a skull-shaped chalice. The link to the Middle Ages? Something about Dante's inferno ...

Second stop: "on to the belle époque"

Anyone who’s into concept bars and the nineteenth century has to visit music bar La Machine in the Saint Géry neighbourhood. The interior of the bar is inspired by the fantasy genre steampunk (cyberpunk stories set during the industrial revolution) and it's the only place for blowing off steam with a drink in the world of Jules Verne!

the steampunk interior of café La Machine
© La Machine

After this little stopover, we park our time capsule in the period around the penultimate turn of the century. Welcome to the belle époque, a golden age of prosperity, innovation and an explosion of art styles. You can experience it full-on in Brussels institutions around the Bourse such as Le Cirio, Le Grand Café, Le Falstaff and Brasserie Greenwich. And a bit further on in A La Mort Subite and De Ultieme Hallucinatie. Instead of a shot of absinthe, order a “half-en-half” (a signature cocktail ahead of the curve from Le Cirio, with sparkling and white wine). For a moment, imagine you're a character in a painting by Toulouse Lautrec and turn your nostalgical gaze at the grandeur of these magnificent interiors.

Third stop: "drum roll.... here come the roaring twenties"

In addition to boisterous swing parties in cabarets, the roaring twenties were also known for forbidden entertainment in speakeasies: clandestine bars set up during the time of American Prohibition. You will experience that same discreet and frivolous atmosphere at Plumette, at the foot of the Palace of Justice in the Marolles neighbourhood. As you sip your whisky sour, you might feel Al Capone or Jay Gatsby breathing down your neck.

Scène is another such place. This speakeasy is somewhat hidden on the rue du Marché aux Poulets. First, you have to pass through the Middle Eastern restaurant Le Conteur, and go up the stairs to the first floor. If you like good food and signature cocktails in a rousing and mysterious 1920s décor, you've come to the right place.

La Pharmacie Anglaise at Mont des Arts is a mix of a vintage science lab, a cabinet of curiosities and a pharmacy from the 1920s. Oh yeah, and they serve cocktails! You have to ring the bell to enter, which makes the atmosphere even more confidential. The latter also applies to Bar Rouge, an intimate nightclub with cabaret touches in the Brussels Park area.

Those who want it even more exclusive should head to Le Jalousy in the Marolles. You can enter this secret, two-storey party bar provided you can figure out the week's password. The creations of the house mixologist certainly deserve kudos.

Finally, we crash the party at Cabaret Mademoiselle. This inclusive place guarantees a wild night of burlesque and puts a contemporary twist on Berlin nights from the interwar period.

burlesk tafereel bij Cabaret Mademoiselle
Cabaret Mademoiselle © Jonathan Petit

Fourth stop: "a date with the 1930s"

Next, we stop at two authentic Brussels heritage focal points: Hotel Esperance in the centre and Hotel Le Berger in Ixelles. Just under a century ago, these rendezvous hotels were full of adulterous clients. That's still an option today. But you can also have a drink while taking in the beautiful Art Deco architecture for a while.

But, our mission here’s not accomplished without a visit to the mythical Archiduc. This Art Deco bar on Rue Antoine Dansaert dates back to 1937. In the early years, this place was a sanctuary for risqué banter; since the 1950s it has been a trendy hot spot for jazz lovers and night owls of all kinds.

When talking about the 1930s in Brussels, it’s impossible to ignore surrealism. At Bar Magritte (located in the famous Hotel Amigo, near the Grand-Place), you’ll experience the dreamlike and surreal world of René Magritte with every sip of your cocktail. Ceci n’est pas un bar… it is an adventure for all your senses. Do you like to think big? Really big? Then head to the Brasserie Surréaliste, in the heart of the Dansaert district. This 1,500m2 Art Deco former banana warehouse from 1932 now houses a microbrewery, serving up an impressive selection of beers and fusion cuisine to share. The cherry on top? The venue’s visual identity, created in collaboration with Brussels artist Elzo Durt. Music, DJ sets and artistic events complete this highly addictive sensory feast.

Fifth stop: "a delightful journey through post-war pop culture"

Feeling a bit jet-lagged from all that time travel? Nothing a hearty burger, pancake or pastrami sandwich can’t fix! Head to one of Brussels’ many spots that capture the carefree spirit of American diners. At Elbow lunch counter in the Saint-Boniface district is a great example. This pastrami bar is a fantastic lunch spot with a strong American vibe. In the Châtelain district Rambo – Belgium's very first smashburger restaurant – exudes that authentic burger joint vibe. The battle for the title of Brussels’ best burger is heating up. The arrival of Flipper’s in the Flagey district has brought a formidable contender into the fray. Step inside this immaculate interior, reminiscent of 1980s California.

For yet more retro-Americana vibes, pop into Shakes & Brews, a trendy spot that specialises in coffee and cocktails. Everything is prepared using traditional methods. By day, it’s the perfect place for coffee and brunch; by night, it becomes an almost cinematic setting where cocktails and soft lighting take centre stage. 

Or how about a cup of coffee or matcha at The Wayne Café? This coffee bar’s retro-futuristic interior is all white and will have you feeling like you’re on the set of 2001: A Space Odyssey. It’s the perfect place to show off your Barbarella boots…

Our escapade draws to a close at Madame Moustache, a flamboyant dance bar which blends different eras. Swing, western, rock ’n’ roll and burlesque influences merge to create an exuberant tribute to bygone days. Nostalgia isn't quiet or subdued here, it's a colourful reinterpretation and celebration of the past.