BARS AND CAFES

There are many publications on the bars and beers of Belgium so here are just a few to whet your appetite. Between the  Koren Markt and the Groenten Markt there are many cafes and bars and also along the Graslei and on nice sunny summer days these can get very busy, two  of the best in this area  are The Gouden Mandeke at 9 Pensemarkt, enter down the steps into a large room with a low ceiling, it was once a warehouse. It has a beer list of about 35. Open Mon to Fri 11.00. Sat, Sun 15.00 until late. The other is described below, it is just under the the bridge on the right (see photo).

HET WATERHUIS

GROENTENMARKT 9

By the side of the river Leie this is not a bar to be missed, there is a large outdoor seating area where you can watch the passing boats and the trams crossing the bridge or you can sit inside if the weather is a little inclement. The beer list is large well over 100. They also serve their own house beers called Gandavum a dry and very hoppy beer and a stronger darker version. Directions, just follow the tram lines from the Korenmarkt to the Groentenmarkt and its on the right by the bridge. Open 11.00 until late. When you have had enough to drink here you can walk a few paces (literally) to the Dreupelcot at 12 Groentenmarkt, this is a little one room very cosy Genever bar (Gin bar). There are flavours that you never knew existed and they are very drinkable they start at around 20% up to about 45% so please beware of your consumption. Open 16.00 until late. Closed Sundays. 

  BIERHUIS DE BROUZWAELE

 

 Ter Platen 17

A large one room bar by the side of the canal, on entering the bar is right in front of you and at the back is part of a brewing kettle (very impressive), there is plenty of seating and there is usually sand on the floor. Good beer list and food served 11.30 to 13.30 and 18.00 to 22.30. Open 11.00 till late. This bar is a little off the tourist beaten track but is well worth a visit. Follow the directions carefully. From St Pieters station, turn right along Prinses Clementinalan as far as Park Plein, fork 2nd left into Parklaan then left into Clauslaan (along side of lake) then 2nd right along Hofbouwlaan arriving at large junction, fork right into Citadellaan R40, cross over canal, then go down left along side of canal along Ter Platen until bar is reached, Opposite Decascope (cinema). Alternative route and much simpler, catch the no 21 or 22 trams from St Pieters station and get off at Zuid, proceed along Woodrow Wilsonplein as far as the canal, turn left along Muinkpaai along side of canal until you come to it. While you are strolling by the canal admire the mooring stumps they are nearly all dated 1862 but there are exceptions.

TRAPPISTENHUIS

Brabamtdam 164

Basically a resonably large one room bar with a raised seating area, there is a smoking area to the rear adorned with fig tree and cheese plant. Large beer list and very informative menu if you can read Flemish (but I am sure you will get by). Try the Johannes Blond Stadsbier at 6.5% brewed at Brouwerij Johannes, Brabantdam, I guess you could call it the house beer. From St Pieters Station catch trams 21 or 22 as far as Zuid, then it's a short walk along Zuidstation, turn left into Brabantdam and the bar is on your left. Well worth a visit. Opens Mon-Fri 11.00 to 02.00. Sat 16.00 to 02.00. Sun 18.00 to 02.00, it is worth checking the opening times as they can vary.