The Top 10 Bars In The European Quarter Brussels

From the lively Place Jourdan to the favorite haunts of the Brussels expat community, the European Quarter has plenty of variety when it comes to its nightlife. In particular, some of the best Irish pubs in Brussels can be found here and sports fans need look no further for an ideal place to watch the game. Here are 10 of the best bars in the European Quarter of Brussels.

The Old Oak

Bar, Irish

For the Irish and English visitors or residents of Brussels, The Old Oak is an ideal place to cure your homesickness. There is an excellent range of drinks, and the burgers are pretty tasty too. For the sports fans, there is always some sort of match playing in the background. The quiz nights, in particular, are great fun and are organized every Monday evening.

Wxyz Bar

Cocktail Bar, Bar, Belgian, Cocktails, Wine, Beer

The bar of the hotel Aloft, Wxyz exudes some serious class. There’s a happy hour every day (from 6-7pm), plus there are DJ’s and, of course, excellent cocktails. There are also activities organized, including a games night (free cocktails are given as prizes), and every Friday, it’s up to the crowd to plug in their iPods and play whatever they want.

Degrees

Bar, Wine Bar, Wine, Belgian

One of the best wine bars in Brussels and by far the best bar on Place Jourdan, 13 Degrees has an excellent drinks selection and the tapas-style food is definitely worth a try too.The interior is also super cozy, blending modern design with more natural wooden touches.

Winery Schuman

Bar, Wine Bar, Wine, Mediterranean

Also a strong contender for best wine bar in Brussels, Winery is a bar and a wine shop. This means that their selection is both extensive and diverse, and they also serve pretty lovely food. It is one of the European Quarter’s best-kept secrets.

Beer Factory

Bar, Brasserie, Belgian, European, Wine, Beer

As well as being a bar, Beer Factory is also a café and restaurant. And it makes good on the promise of its name, as the beer is plentiful and delicious. The design of the bar is also quite fun, as it is located inside a copper brewing vat.

Le Maxburg

Restaurant, German, Belgian

Le Maxburg is through and through German, serving a wonderful selection of German beer (if you’d like a change from Belgian beer) as well as great, authentic German food that is bursting with flavor. Always a good sign, the guests in the restaurant are mostly German as is the multilingual staff. Le Maxburg is a definite must-try if you’re in the mood for some schnitzel and weissbier.

Gourmand

Gourmand is a cozy little place that puts the emphasis on quality. The wine is excellent, and the food is also of high quality (the meat is from Jack O’Shea, the cheese from Julienne Hazard), plus the ambiance is perfect.

Ralph’s

Bar, Belgian, Cocktails, Wine, Beer

Ralph’s is the go-to place for after-work drinks in the neighborhood. The atmosphere is relaxed and cosmopolitan, and whether you’re there for drinks with colleagues, to party until dawn or to catch one of the numerous concerts or shows hosted at Ralph’s, you’re sure to have a good time.

James Joyce

Pub, Irish, Belgian, Pub Grub, Wine, Beer, Cocktails

One of the oldest Irish pubs in the European Quarter, the James Joyce has everything a good Irish pub needs. The whisky selection is great, the interior is snug and cozy, the décor is just eccentric enough and there are darts for anyone who gets bored.

Piola Libri

Bar, Wine Bar, Belgian, Cocktails, Wine, Beer

Piola Libri is a bookshop, restaurant, and bar, and it must be said that the combination works magnificently. Featuring an excellent range of Italian wines and other aperitivo, it almost feels like actually being in Italy. The bookshop also has a great range of Italian movies as well as books, and you can even participate in Italian language lessons.