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Previous issues for Brussels

Whilst every effort is made to ensure accuracy, please confirm event/venue details in advance.

Belgium : Brussels - June 2009

Country Code: Dial for Belgium

In June, Brussels’ hot urban asphalt turns into a thumping dancing ground as the city hosts the multicultural Couleur Café Festival at Tour & Taxis (26-28 June, couleurcafe.be). On top of that, the long-awaited opening of the Magritte Museum takes place on 2 June. Nina Lamparski gets excited

Getting around

Brussels Airport

Bus: The No 12 bus runs every 30 minutes between the airport and Rond-Point Schuman. The journey takes about 30 minutes. A oneway ticket costs €3.
Train: Trains from the airport run every 20 minutes at peak times. The journey takes 15 minutes and trains go to Brussels’ three mainline stations. Tickets cost approximately €2,80
Taxi: A taxi from the airport to the city centre will cost around €25-35. The journey should take about 25 minutes.
Tourist information: The main tourist office can be found on Grand’Place in the city centre (tel. , www.brussels.

MUSEUM QUARTER

Situated halfway between the broad avenues of Parc de Bruxelles and the gorgeous gardens of Petit Sablon and Egmont, the cultural hot spot known as Mont des Arts (or ‘Arts Hill’) marks the transition between the upper and lower town. It also offers one of the finest views across the capital.

Culture vultures – Pay a visit to the new Magritte Museum (3 Rue de la Régence), dedicated to the father of Belgian surrealism. Other museums located near Place Royale include the Musées Royaux des Beaux-Arts (3 Rue de la Régence), the beautiful musical instruments museum Le MIM (2 Rue Montagne de la Cour) and BELvue Museum (7 Place des Palais), which is all about Belgium’s history. Palais Royal (Place Royale) is just around the corner.

Must eat – Enjoy an unforgettable Sunday brunch on the top floor of the aforementioned Le MIM (2 Rue Montagne de la Cour, tel. ), which offers diners a splendid panorama over the city’s roofs. Or grab a sandwich from CiabattaMania (70 Coudenberg) and wander over to Parc de Bruxelles for a picnic in the sun.

Must drink – Head downtown to Place de la Monnaie, a 10-minute walk from the museum quarter, and check out the recently opened MMBar (1 Rue de la Reine) inside the opera building. Up-and-coming Belgian DJs spin the latest tunes on Saturday afternoons. The bar closes at 6pm, so move on to vibrant Mappa Mundo (2 Rue du Pont de la Carpe) for delicious cocktails. Ask for the house special: vodka with fresh raspberry juice, mineral water and mint leaves. Or go for a classic such as cuba libre, which is mixed to perfection here.

Dance the night away – Fans of electro music will love the dirty beats at slick venue The Wax Club (66 Boulevard Anspach). Night owls can party until 6am at Celtica (55 Rue du Marché aux Poulets), which has been dubbed the ‘Temple of Alcohol’.

Shop til you drop – The Bozar Shop (15 Rue Ravenstein) is a paradise for art and design lovers. The 360m2 retail space was created by the famous Lhoas brothers and has recently won an award for its interior.

QUARTIER SAINT-JACQUES

In the 12th century, this small district close to Grand’Place was the city’s centre for commercial crafts and a place of rest for pilgrims on their way to Santiago de Compostela. Today, the area mingles tradition with cutting-edge modernity and is one of the city’s most exciting districts.

Sleep soundly – Intimate and artsy, Downtown-BXL (118 Rue du Marché au Charbon, tel. , downtownbxl.com, rooms from €72) is a cosy B&B located smack bang in the heart of the Saint-Jacques district, and comes recommended by the Michelin Guide.

Must drink – The area has many gay-friendly bars, including Argane Kafé (94 Rue du Marché au Charbon). Opened in 2007, this small bar has a great atmosphere and a lovely interior. The outdoor terrace of Le Fontainas (91 Rue du Marché au Charbon) is another favourite with locals.

Shop til you drop – The area is a hive of second-hand boutiques and music stores, independent fashion labels, hat makers and interior shops. Chez Ramon & Valy (19 Rue des Teinturiers) sells vintage clothes at democratic prices. Belles Chaussures de Melle François (11 Rue des Teinturiers) sells divine heels and accessories in a gorgeous boudoir setting, while Belgian interior brand Emerie & Cie (27 Rue de l’Hôpital) owns what is undoubtedly one of the city’s prettiest shops, thanks to its wonderful range of wallpapers and design objects.

PORTE DE NAMUR

This bustling commercial district in the upper part of town mixes amazing shopping opportunities with a wealth of cafés, cultural centres, heritage buildings and gorgeous outdoor areas to explore. It’s also the location of Matongé, Brussels’ famous African neighbourhood.

Sleep soundly – Be a groupie and follow international rock stars such as U2 and Blackstreet to the Hilton Brussels (38 Boulevard de Waterloo, tel. , hilton.com, rooms from €99). The opulent rooms at the five-star Warwick Barsey Hotel (381- 383 Avenue Louise, tel. , warwickbarsey.com, rooms from €99) have been created by French designer Jacques Garcia. Check out the online Irresistible Value deal, which runs until the end of June and could get you a room upgrade, as well as a superb breakfast and other goodies.

Must eat – Cool off during a hot summer’s day with a fresh salad at Tea & Eat (121-124 Rue de Stassart, tel. ). Try their salade Scandinave (smoked salmon, goat’s cheese and tomatoes) or their salade Italienne veggie (rocket, parmesan, courgettes and olives with balsamic vinegar). In the evening, feast on spicy Thai food at Le Deuxième Element (7 Rue Saint-Boniface, tel. ) and down drinks afterwards at one of the many cute café terraces. Or overeat at La Main Dans La Poêle (122 Rue Lesbroussart, tel ), an excellent Italian restaurant and wine bar that serves its dishes in piping hot pans. The lasagne here is delicious.

Must drink – Café Belga (18 Place Eugène Flagey) has one of the best summer terraces in this area. But be aware that there’s no table service here and the bar staff can be a tad unfriendly. Still, your patience might be rewarded with a surprise gig by Moby. Hot tip: try the Vedette Blonde beer.

Dance the night away – Strut your stuff on the bar at Ethnic Lounge Bar (277 Avenue Louise), which is a magnet for expats, pretty young things and, unfortunately, the occasional sleazebag. Or get sweaty at African nightclub Le 144 (144 Avenue Louise).

Shop til you drop – Head to the luxury mile Boulevard de Waterloo, where Chanel (no. 63) rubs shoulders with Tiffany & Co (no. 66), Louis Vuitton (no. 59) and Giorgio Armani (no. 28). For quirkier labels, stroll down the lovely Rue de Namur, where you’ll find Ben Simon’s interior store Home Autour du Monde (70 Rue de Namur).

AUDERGHEM

This tranquil municipality is set in the south-east of the capital along the Woluwe valley, at the entrance to the stunning Forêt de Soignes. Plan a day trip to discover the wonderfully preserved natural habitat, romantic creeks and historical legacies.

Sleep soundly – Stay in the neighbouring municipality of Watermael-Boitsfort at the pretty, family-run Côté Jardin (70 Avenue Léopold Wiener, tel. , cotejardin.biz, rooms from €75). Alongside lovingly decorated rooms, the hotel also has a beautiful garden that’s the perfect place to enjoy your breakfast in the warm June sun.

Culture vultures – Although the actual building of the former priory is mostly closed to the general public, Château de Val-Duchesse can be admired from the outside. When in need of a break, many Brussels locals head to the picturesque park and ponds belonging to the Rouge-Cloître abbey.

Must eat – From Monday to Friday, Eat O’Clock (1680 bis Chaussée de Wavre) sells delectable sandwiches, wraps, pasta and salads. Looking like something out of 1,001 Nights, Moroccan restaurant La Khaïma (1390 Chaussée de Wavre, tel. ) serves delicious tagines and couscous in a breathtaking, fairytale setting.

Must drink – Hop into a cab and take a trip into Brussels’ bustling university quarter, which is full of restaurants and bars. Waff Café (455 Chaussée de Boondael) falls somewhere between the two and is usually heaving with student folk and young professionals. On busy nights it transforms itself into a club.

Previous issues for Brussels

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