Belgium’s second city has long been famed for its historic port and trade in diamonds, but it’s now basking in a third ‘Golden Age’ that has made it one of Europe’s most exciting clubbing and nightlife hot spots.
CLUBS
CAFÉ LOCAL
This is a popular, friendly club in trendy ‘t Zuid, with a range of events on different nights of the week. Paradise Saturdays are the main draw – a themed party, with deck chairs, gadgets, sweets and shots, while on the first Sunday of each month the music takes a salsa-merengue turn.
RED & BLUE
This is a great dance venue located north of the city center, with a decent-sized yet still intimate dance floor. It’s best known for the Saturday gay night (men only), while Thursdays are student night, Fridays sees a mixed crowd enjoying the house music, and on some Sundays there are retro ’70s-style discos.
PARK AVENUE
Park Avenue is a lively karaoke joint where the large selection of songs is listed by language, including English. Situated right in the historic heart of Antwerp, just to the north of the cathedral, it’s a good place to visit after a few drinks in the city center bars. After midnight on Saturdays – and also on some Fridays – Park Avenue morphs into a small, friendly disco with a variety of guest DJs.
PUBS AND CAFÉ’S
OUD ARSENAAL
Little has changed since 1924 at this congenially old-fashioned ‘brown café’ (named for the dark-wood interiors) in the city center, attracting locals with exceptionally reasonable beer prices, brew of the month and guest ales. The only drawback is that it closes early, particularly at weekends.
DE VAGANT
More than 200 jenever (gins) are served in this cozy bare-boards local café, including herbal, fruity, creamy and nutty infusions, plus beer and wine. You can also buy bottles of jenever across the road from its bottle shop, which resembles an old-style pharmacy. Bear in mind the average alcohol content of these drinks is 40 percent.
BIERHUIS KULMINATOR
This is a classic, and eccentric, pub in the city center that offers a gargantuan 30-page menu of 700 mostly Belgian brews, including notably rare ‘vintage’ bottles that are laid down to mature for several (sometimes up to 30) years like fine wine. The cluttered décor adds to the quirky atmosphere.
LIVE MUSIC
DE ROMA
In the suburb of Borgerhout, this classic 1928 cinema has been meticulously restored and shows off-beat films (often in English) on most nights of the week. It also acts as a cultural center with a varied program of exhibitions and concerts – including jazz and world music.
TRIX
This out-of-town venue focuses on alternative and up-and coming bands plus club DJs. Big names come too (Snoop Dogg in 2009, John Mayall in 2012), while this year has varied offerings including ’80s band Echo & the Bunnymen, online phenomenon Tyler Ward and the ‘sheikh of Syrian wedding music’ Omar Souleyman.
DE MUZE
This appealing, dimly lit, triple- level jazz café in the city center has a maze-like interior and is popular with both locals and tourists. It hosts great live jazz (when drink prices increase), which ranges from up-and coming artists to old hands seven nights per week – see the website for full program details.
WHERE TO STAY
In a 1905, Belle-Epoque-style townhouse, Bed, Bad & Brood has three rooms with parquet floors, high ceilings, stained glass, marble carvings and an appealing feeling of spaciousness for a bed and breakfast within this low price range.
Hotel Julien is a boutique mansion-hotel occupying two 16th-century townhouses. Rooms feature carrara marble, underfloor heating, Moroccan plasterwork and fresh orchids, while some also have exposed beams or old brick-tile floors. There’s a swish new wellness center and rooftop terrace, too.
Considered the best hotel in town, the De Witte Lelie Hotel occupies three 17th-century mansions built around a central courtyard, with 10 luxurious rooms – each individually furnished and equipped with a free mini bar.
CAFÉ LOCAL
This is a popular, friendly club in trendy ‘t Zuid, with a range of events on different nights of the week. Paradise Saturdays are the main draw – a themed party, with deck chairs, gadgets, sweets and shots, while on the first Sunday of each month the music takes a salsa-merengue turn.
RED & BLUE
This is a great dance venue located north of the city center, with a decent-sized yet still intimate dance floor. It’s best known for the Saturday gay night (men only), while Thursdays are student night, Fridays sees a mixed crowd enjoying the house music, and on some Sundays there are retro ’70s-style discos.
PARK AVENUE
Park Avenue is a lively karaoke joint where the large selection of songs is listed by language, including English. Situated right in the historic heart of Antwerp, just to the north of the cathedral, it’s a good place to visit after a few drinks in the city center bars. After midnight on Saturdays – and also on some Fridays – Park Avenue morphs into a small, friendly disco with a variety of guest DJs.
PUBS AND CAFÉ’S
OUD ARSENAAL
Little has changed since 1924 at this congenially old-fashioned ‘brown café’ (named for the dark-wood interiors) in the city center, attracting locals with exceptionally reasonable beer prices, brew of the month and guest ales. The only drawback is that it closes early, particularly at weekends.
DE VAGANT
More than 200 jenever (gins) are served in this cozy bare-boards local café, including herbal, fruity, creamy and nutty infusions, plus beer and wine. You can also buy bottles of jenever across the road from its bottle shop, which resembles an old-style pharmacy. Bear in mind the average alcohol content of these drinks is 40 percent.
BIERHUIS KULMINATOR
This is a classic, and eccentric, pub in the city center that offers a gargantuan 30-page menu of 700 mostly Belgian brews, including notably rare ‘vintage’ bottles that are laid down to mature for several (sometimes up to 30) years like fine wine. The cluttered décor adds to the quirky atmosphere.
LIVE MUSIC
DE ROMA
In the suburb of Borgerhout, this classic 1928 cinema has been meticulously restored and shows off-beat films (often in English) on most nights of the week. It also acts as a cultural center with a varied program of exhibitions and concerts – including jazz and world music.
TRIX
This out-of-town venue focuses on alternative and up-and coming bands plus club DJs. Big names come too (Snoop Dogg in 2009, John Mayall in 2012), while this year has varied offerings including ’80s band Echo & the Bunnymen, online phenomenon Tyler Ward and the ‘sheikh of Syrian wedding music’ Omar Souleyman.
DE MUZE
This appealing, dimly lit, triple- level jazz café in the city center has a maze-like interior and is popular with both locals and tourists. It hosts great live jazz (when drink prices increase), which ranges from up-and coming artists to old hands seven nights per week – see the website for full program details.
WHERE TO STAY
In a 1905, Belle-Epoque-style townhouse, Bed, Bad & Brood has three rooms with parquet floors, high ceilings, stained glass, marble carvings and an appealing feeling of spaciousness for a bed and breakfast within this low price range.
Hotel Julien is a boutique mansion-hotel occupying two 16th-century townhouses. Rooms feature carrara marble, underfloor heating, Moroccan plasterwork and fresh orchids, while some also have exposed beams or old brick-tile floors. There’s a swish new wellness center and rooftop terrace, too.
Considered the best hotel in town, the De Witte Lelie Hotel occupies three 17th-century mansions built around a central courtyard, with 10 luxurious rooms – each individually furnished and equipped with a free mini bar.