Top 10 of the weirdest bars in Brussels

10 [classic] Le Cercueil (The Coffin)

More a tourist trap than anything else, le Cercueil welcomes you in a perpendicular street to the Grand Place. The drinks have devilish names and rest upon a coffin in a rather dark atmosphere: the walls are indeed covered with heavy black fabric. A return trip to hell can't hurt and it actually makes heaven look even nicer.

09 [new] Green Lab

All new and all green. Located close to the Bois de la Cambre, between Chatelain and the ULB, the Green Lab sets itself up as the temple of cocktails, gins and absinths. The industrial look underlined by an omnipresent green light is ideal to put the spotlight on the 246 types of gin the bar has to offer. This could probably be a world record, but don't worry, you don't have to try them all out in the same evening.

08 [classic] La Fleur en Papier Doré

It's September 2007 that La Fleur en Papier Doré resurfaced near the Sablon. This famous venue for the Cobra surrealisme movement had disappeared for many years. Although you won't be seeing René Magritte, Louis Scutenaire or Marcel Mariën anymore, the place still organises several very original cultural activities: "brusseleir" language classes, courses on Brussels, conferences and many more.

07 [new] Alcatraz Tapas Bar

Since its opening a few months ago, it is now possible to have a drink and eat a tapas while being in a prison cell. Welcome to the Alcatraz Tapas Bar, a faithful reproduction of the world's most famous prison. The tables are behind bars and the prison guards are actually bar tenders. Or is it the other way around?

06 [didntgeteverything] Hyperion

Hyperion e-sport bar was inaugurated in September 2014 in the heart of the capital. The place is foremost for gamers and is the ideal venue to party and meet new people who share the same passion as you. Welcome to the world of e-sport.

05 [redrevolution] Dolle Mol

A couple hundred feet from the Grand Place, Dolle Mol and its rather discreet facade are probably the most liberated café in the kingdom. Drinks, just like words, are not mandatory.

04 [moulinrouge] The Empire 

Very few people talking the metro at Maelbeek actually knew that just a few steps up from then, pretty girls were poledancing at the Manhattan. Since it unfortunately closed a few months ago, the Empire in the centre of Brussels will have to do. Find out more about stripclubs in Brussels.

03 [self-service] Etiquette & 7/7

A bar without a bar tender, now that's an interesting concept that deserves the 3rd place on the podium. A bronze medal that two bars will have to share: at the 7/7, the beer pumps are right in the center of each table, allowing anyone to serve themselves. Similar concept at Etiquette, where visitors will fill their glasses from wine dispensors: you choose the wine, the quantity and you pay. It's as easy as that. 

02 [coming soon] PAUZzzz

It hasn't even opened yet that everyone keeps talking about it. PAUZzzz will be the first nap bar in the kingdom. The drinks menu will be minimilastic and the 15-minute nap will be charged between 7 and 17€. The place will open mid-november in the European quarter.

01 [classic] Goupil Le Fol

With an intimist, mysterious and romantic atmosphere, this place is the closest venue you could compare to the state of mind of "Amélie Poulain". You feel like you're at home, sitting on couches even more comfortable than yours. What might be different is the occasional bicycle that is hanging from the ceiling or the family portraits that overlap each other on the walls. The Goupil le Fol is like a bar within a house; or a house within a bar? Weird, but well done...

Crédit photo : Flickr - IamKritch