Brussells

[johnnybegood]

Myself and a few friends are visiting Brussells for a weekend in September.

Can any one recomend things to do.

I must inform you that its for a 30th birthday so it will be a few lads aged 24-30. We dont intend on having a Hangover type weekend just see the sights have some nice grub and possibly sample the nightlife.

Thanks

[Fas1975]

Probably one of the most boring cities I've ever visited. Travel there for business often, so couple of years ago, took the wife for a long weekend. Stayed in a stunning hotel and there was a couple of nice restaurants nearby, but in terms of seeing the sights, there's an old town which is beautiful, but will kill a couple of hours tops.

Lots of museums and stuff if that's your thing, but it really is a working city, centre of the EU etc, beyond that, apart from seeing the "Statue Pis" which is literally a cherub taking a leak, not a lot to offer.

Nightlife, we managed to sneak into a members only club, I'll try to dig out the name, but again, strange, boring, vibe where the highlight was sitting next to some rich butcher guy who kept telling me not to look at his sister and wanted to wrestle me all night :S

Go to Bruges instead.

[Mr Gearchange]

I go to Brussells a lot. It's pretty much as boring as hell.
The highlights are generally Belgian beer and Moules Frites - which you can get anywhere in Belgium.

As already said - go to Bruges.

[eps]

It depends on your age...

Brussels can be great - some of the best food to be had, but you have to know where to go.

Search out Zebra bar, Java bar and a couple of nearby places - I'll try and track them down for you.
These are "behind" O Reillys, which is across from the Grand Place in the centre of the city.

There is Le Manufacture, which is a great restaurant and there used to be Da Carlos which is on the other side of town - ultra small but amazing - possibly not there any more. It's (or was) along the same street that the Wild Geese / Ceily Bar and a few more bars are near (Malbeek metro station or Schumann).

There are a number of excellent bars and some rubbish ones.. I think there's a different bar near the Grand Place - a "vampire" bar. Use a Time Out guide or the website, to search out some authentic bars and good places to eat. Search out places which serve Morte Subite and have good (Belgian Beer) on tap - such as Leffe and possibly Kwak and more!

Visit the Atomium - if you've never been before and also look for the Horta House, Rue des Canadiens I think - amazing - especially if you like Art Nouveau.

Personally Bruges is great for Lace and chocolates, but doesn't come close to Brussels in terms of eating and drinking.

I will admit that it's been about 10 years since I lived there, for about 9-10 months (whilst working there), so all of this is from memory. We did a bar crawl around there, it was brilliant, but some of the bars will have changed and possibly aren't what they used to be...

[johnnybegood]

What is there to do in Brugges?

[eps]

Fas1975 said:

Lots of museums and stuff if that's your thing, but it really is a working city, centre of the EU etc, beyond that, apart from seeing the "Statue Pis" which is literally a cherub taking a leak, not a lot to offer.

Mannekin a Pis, there is also the Jannekin a Pis.. a slightly more controversial offering. You never know the Mannekin may well be wearing a comedy outfit!

[hollydog]

Normally stop there for a few hours on the way to the ring. Sorry never stopped over for the night. The atoms ok for an hour. Then the place is stunning. And the main square is a good place to eat and people watch.

[Melchett]

The food is pretty good but don't eat at the grand place. St Catherines (old fish market) can be good but there is a cracking steak place here:

http://www.meetmeat.be/index.php/en/

There are plenty of museums, I had to endure the cartoon museum for a work Christmas do one year. The Belgians keep banging on about fking tin tin. But if you like cars there is autoworld:

http://www.autoworld.be/

Or everyone favourite karting, you will need to get a taxi to this place.

http://www.brusselskart.be/

[eps]

johnnybegood said:

What is there to do in Brugges?

Lace (dull stuff - avoid)

Chocolates (also available in Brussels)

Beer (also available in Brussels - although there is a brewery in Bruges, which is an interesting tour iirc)

Food (also available in Brussels)

Boat trip, on the canals or something..

I would also recommend a Moroccan restaurant, which is "behind" O Reillys - the large Irish bar in the centre of town, great food and atmosphere. If it's still there...

Take a look at Time Out / Rough Guide.


Try the top two bars on this list : http://www.guardian.co.uk/travel/2008/feb/19/bruss...

This one http://www.worldsbestbars.com/belgium/brussels/jav...

and this one : http://www.lonelyplanet.com/belgium/brussels/enter...

Found it! http://www.lakasbahresto.com/ Which might be worth booking in advance - depending on numbers - depends if you like that sort of thing of course, tagines, harissa etc..

Edited by eps on Tuesday 14th August 17:17

Edited by eps on Tuesday 14th August 17:28

[eps]

If you're in the area of Avenue Louise there is an Irish Bar round there... and there was also JJs a bar, which had a pool table - although it was quite "rustic" when I used to go and think it went downhill from there...!! They used to do excellent cocktails.

Some half decent places to eat along there. First right, if coming from the Metro station and going along the Avenue.

There is a bowling place as well, which could be fun - but I can't remember much about that... 6 lanes I think with a huge bar. But I dimly remember balls going allways... After playing some bowling related drinking game with the owners of JJs (see above)... It all went messy, but was good fun!

[hondafanatic]

johnnybegood said:

What is there to do in Brugges?

I fking hate Brugge. I think I'm the only person that does, well apart from Colin Farrell. It's like Disney World without the fun.

And make sure you have change when you need to use the loo in pubs/bars. You'll be very surprised how quickly things escalate when you don't have any money on you because the missus has everything in her handbag and she's halfway down the street. Same goes for Brussels.

Everything shuts earlier than other Euro countries. So don't wander out after 9ish thinking you'll get a fed.

Really fking hate the place.

I'm sure you'll have a great time though