5 stops on a cocktail crawl of the center

In the last half-decade, Brussels has become quite the destination for craft cocktails. You’ll find, in my opinion, some of the best bartenders making some of the best cocktails you’ll ever have, right here in the center of Brussels. If you’re looking to throw back a libation… or five… here’s five stops on a cocktail crawl of the center.

Walk Details
Distance: 2km
Walking time: 27min

1

Life is Beautiful

Rue Antoine Dansaert 161, 1000 Bruxelles

One of my absolute favorite cocktail bars in the entire city, Life is Beautiful, or LIB as most know it, is a fixture in the Danseart neighborhood where it’s been now for going on a decade. Their menu is constantly changing and there’s often a theme to each new menu. Whether you’re going with one of their in-house creations, or a classic cocktail, you’re going to find something you love. I know this is supposed to be a cocktail crawl, but if you have two or three here and make it your entire evening, I wouldn’t fault you!

2

Marcelle

Pl. du Samedi 15, 1000 Bruxelles

Calling themselves a “Débit de Boissons,” or drinking establishment, Marcelle is small place for tiny groups, as per their Instagram. Inside you’ll be welcomed with a 1920s flapper-girl, jazzy, proabortion ecstatic, and easily one of the most stylish cocktail bars on our list. In the summer and when the weather’s nice, you can join the other patrons on the terrace outside.

3

Arthur Orlans

Rue Antoine Dansaert 67, 1000 Bruxelles

From the outside, this cocktail bar may confuse those looking to have a pair of pants taken in. That’s because it’s housed in an old tailor’s shop. Expect the darker, subdued, speakeasy vibes here, as opposed to the others on our list. They also often have a themed menu of in-house creations, often inspired by various things like art and design. This is going to be the most pricy of the cocktails on our cocktail crawl, so be warned!

4

Yi Chan

Rue Jules Van Praet 13, 1000 Bruxelles

At first you might be a little confused as to why there’s a Chinese restaurant on a list of cocktail bars, but if you venture in to the bar in the back, you’re going to find some of the most innovative cocktails in all of Belgium. Located on Rue Jules Van Praet amongst a row of other Asian restaurants, what sets Yi Chan apart is their cocktail program, created by owner and cocktail champion Yen Pham. The drinks all feature an Asian flair and they even have their own beer, Pijiu, made from mandarin peels. Oh, and their food is amazing as well.

5

Chemistry & Botanic's

Pl. de la Vieille Halle aux Blés 49, 1000 Bruxelles

At Chemistry & Botanic’s, expect to find a mix of mad scientist meets botany—just as the name may suggest. You can find the bar, festooned in greenery, just off Place Saint-Jean. If you’re looking for the drinks that set them apart from the others, then their signature and seasonal menus often features drinks more of the herbaceous and floral side. The last cocktails I had here featured chartreuse, and jasmine tea. Like a good cocktail bar though, their menu is always changings, so who knows what they’ll have tomorrow!