Summer aperitifs in Brussels

Take out your agenda, pull up Google maps, and leave your car keys hanging! The sweet season of aperitifs has begun…

The great Apéros Urbains

The reference in Brussels for these summertime outings is without a doubt the Apéros Urbains. For 10 years now, they have been enlivening our city every Friday from May to September from 5:30 pm on. Every week the location is different: Abbaye de la Cambre, Place Poelaert, Place Wiener, Parc de la Woluwe…  As long as there isn’t rain, tons of people in Brussels come out to start the weekend out right.

The concept has evolved since the first spontaneous and intimate meetings. Today the police have had to impose rules and dozens of volunteers are called upon. DJs, after parties, and concerts contribute to the fun.

The latest addition: Koekelberg apéros

This year in Koekelberg, a brand new event is joining the summer aperitifs. They are called Koek’s Apero or Apéros du Nord. Every Friday of the summer starting June 6, 2014, the esplanade at Place Simonis and the Parc Elisabeth will welcome tired workers and antsy friends from 4 pm on to celebrate the weekend.

Boulevard apéros in Auderghem

Less popular than the Apéros Urbains, the “apéros du Boulevard” in Auderghem offer an intimate setting to sip on a mojito with friends. Meet up every Thursday from 4 pm to 9 pm on the Boulevard du Souverain in the vicinity of the Carrefour and the Cactus.

Trendy apéro: the terrasse de l’hippodrome

Palm trees, pool, sand, and pétanque. Just like every year, the cool terrasse de l’hippodrome transforms into an oasis like you wouldn’t think possible in Boitsfort. From noon to midnight everyday from May to the end of July, you can chill out in the lawn chairs…

Saint-Gilles and Saint Job aperitifs

A couple of years ago Saint-Gilles joined the summer aperitif club in Brussels. Fridays from June to August, lawn chairs and umbrellas line Place Van Meenen. In the shade of the sycamores, the Apéros Saint-Gilles have a relaxed feel, kind of bobo. In Uccle, the Friday apéro Saint-Job gives off more of a chic and trendy vibe.

If you would prefer to lie in the grass and have a drink, the Parc Josaphat aperitif's green paradise is you need. Each Friday from 5:30 pm on the people of Schaerbeek finish the week under glowing paper lanterns. Boho, hipster, ecological, and organic… It’s the 'in' place right now!

Apéros Stockel

Near Woluwe-Saint-Lambert, the Place Dumon in Stockel is literally taken over every Friday in summer. Other than mojitos, caïpirinha, and sangria, the Apéros Stockel is the place to enjoy VlaWa, a Belgian beer recently created by three young Brusseleirs.

Limited time apéros

Short time bars show up every year to join the long list of Brussels afterworks. This year, a limited time bar dedicated to gin tonic has popped up in Ixelles in the Jardins de Bagatelle. For 6 weeks, Imagin is offering completely unique cocktail versions of the traditional gin and tonic.  

Let's add some rooftop terraces to the mix. The Play Label Rooftop is coming back to Brussels from June 10 until late September, open on an irregular basis (due to Brussels' moody weather) on weekdays only from 5 to 10 pm. This terrace perched at the top of the Crosly bowling building (acting as Play Label's partner for this event) is signing on for a second edition. Grass, bean bags, lawn chairs, Djs, electronic music, a dance floor and, most importantly, a downloadable "Play Label Rooftop" App that informs on opening days in real time.

Nighttime markets

When warm weather is back, so are the night markets and wine stands. Monday until 9 pm at the market on Place Van Meenen and at the foot of the Saint-Gilles town hall. Wednesday, the trendy Châtelain draws the crowds. Attention: don’t stray too far from the market. New restrictions prohibit drinking outside of the market’s barriers. On Thursday, head to the Anderlecht slaughterhouse for a night at the Boeremet or the one in the Sablon with its gourmet market. And to finish off the week and kick off the weekend, the market on the Place des Chasseurs Ardennais is awaiting you every Friday.