IN OUT
Text Tabitha Lasley
Bar hopping on Antwerp’s chicest streets, and a celebration of the beautiful Bellini
Once a derelict district slated for demolition, Antwerp’s Het Zuid (South Neighbourhood) is now packed with eclectic architecture and galleries. Night owls should head to Little Paris, where you’ll find the city’s best bars
Start your night at…
Little Buddha (Luikstraat 4, tel. +32 (0)32 94 02 93). Located on Luikstraat, a lane teeming with chic clubs and late lounges, Little Buddha serves up Oriental fusion food to a glamourous clientele. Or kick your evening off in a more relaxed fashion at Soeki (Volkstraat 21). The bar’s 70s-inspired décor and laid-back music policy (anything from reggae to mambo) hark back to a simpler age, but cuisine is reassuringly contemporary – think cava and tapas.
Move on to…
Stereo Sushi (Luikstraat 6, tel. +32 (0) 32 48 67 27). Falling somewhere between a club and a restaurant, Stereo Sushi plays host to monthly dance nights courtesy of British label Hed Kandi. For the rest of the month, punters must content themselves with quaffing sake and tucking into the restaurant’s eponymous sushi. For a more chi-chi take on the same theme, head next door. As the name suggests, Stereo Sushi’s sister bar Velvet Lounge (Luikstraat 6 tel. +32 (0) 32 37 39 78) is all low lighting and plush sofas. Try one of the bar’s classic cocktails – the caipirinha (lime, sugar and cachaça muddled with ice) comes highly recommended.
Finish up at…
Petrol (D’Herbouvillekaai) pulls in a mixed crowd with its equally eclectic music policy – one recent party saw punk band Dan Sartain and the Supersuckers warm up for veteran drum and bass guru DJ Goldie. And don’t forget that Antwerp can claim to be the birthplace of techno; while for many this is a somewhat dubious accolade, if you’re a fan, Petrol’s the place to hear it. Otherwise, head to Cuban themed club Café Local (Waalse Kaai 25). Wednesday’s Pre-Soirée parties prepare for the weekend in fine style, while Tuesday’s Café Vocal nights are best for live music.
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Cocktail corner
Bellinis
White peaches are in season from May to September, so what better excuse to crack open the Prosecco and kick back with a Bellini? The original recipe, inspired by the paintings of Giovanni Bellini, and created at the iconic Harry’s Bar (Calle Valleresso, Venice, tel. +39 415 285 777), calls for one third of white peach juice mixed with two parts chilled Prosecco poured. For a more robustly flavoured drink, try a Rhubarb Bellini.
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Rhubarb Bellini
Stew 500g rhubarb with the juice of two oranges and two tablespoons of caster sugar. Stew for 10 minutes and sieve off 100ml syrup.
Chill, divide between six champagne flutes and top up with Prosecco (try Prosecco Ca’ Rosa NV).
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