I often get asked about Bruges, or to be more correct, Brugge. It’d be hard to say which my favourite bars are in the city or which I think the best, but here are a few that are in close proximity to each other and should give the first time visitor a taster. There’s a bit of a problem in so much as some of the better bars only open in the evening, although there’s still plenty to go to. Many places serve a small (free!) snack of peanuts, small biscuits or even cheese!
To get to the city centre from the station, catch a bus or walk for 15 minutes.
De Garre
De Garre 1, Brugge
(just off Breidelstraat down a very little alleyway – tread very carefully! )
Each day 11:00/12:00 – 00:00/01:00
Once you’ve found this tiny watering hole and managed to get a table, perhaps with a ‘stranger’, a must try is their house beer at a very deceiving 13%!!! A great way to start a mini tour of the town!
Since I first wrote this, service seems to have slipped and does get rather full of tourists.
Cambrinus
Philipstockstraat 19, Brugge – opposite corner of square to the road where Strijdershuis is
Open from 11:00
Lots of good beers and what looks to be excellent food too. Quite a decent size bowl of peanutty snack things too!
Brugs Beertje
Kemelstraat 5, Brugge
Sun, Mon, Tue, Thu 16-00; Fri – Sat 16-01
Tucked into a side street, Dries and his crew (Daisy has now retired but can be seen from time to time) will expertly guide you through the 300 or so beers. The only slight downside is everyone knows this is one of the best beer cafes in Brugge and probably also Belgium and so attracts beer tourists, ranging from the loud mouth typical tourist to the ones who can appreciate the cafe. A few locals do pop in too.
Want to try a few more? Try these less touristy places…
Rose Red
Cordoeaniersstraat 16
Mon-Thu 10-11; Fri, Sat 10-00, Sun 10-22
It’s rare to find a bar in Brugge with decent beer and a beer garden. This place has both! Well, it’s more of a terrace surrounded by buildings, but it’s still nice on a sunny day!
Comptoir des Arts – now closed
Vlamingstraat 53, Brugge
Mon, Wed-Sun 18-03
Run by Bram, formerly at ‘t Brugs Beertje, this cellar bar has 90 beers, a selection of whiskies, funky music and art on the walls. Mind your head as you descend the steps (I’ve forgotten several times!)
Poatersgat
Vlamingstraat 82, Brugge (over the road from Comptoir des Arts)
Open from 17
Not sure why I like this bar – I just do! It can get quite busy later on at weekends, but there’s usually a table somewhere.
Huis de Kluuse
Kraanplein 4, Brugge
Mon, Tue, Thu, Fri 15-00; Sat 13-2345. As with anywhere, may close earlier if they’re quiet.
Small (for Belgium) but good beer list located in a fantastic listed building with some parts dating back to the 1270s.
Last visited: December 2024.
