6 brown cafés in Antwerp, editor-picked by TableJourney. All Antwerp nightlife.
Den Engel ★ 4.2
historisch-centrum · Grote Markt 3, 2000 Antwerp
Den Engel on Grote Markt 3 stays open until 01:00 weekdays and 03:00 weekends. The brown cafe has been on the corner since 1903; the building dates to the 14th century.
Tip: Weekend last orders around 02:30. The terrace fills before the bar inside.
't Oud Arsenaal ★ 4.4
historisch-centrum · Maria Pijpelincxstraat 4, 2000 Antwerp
't Oud Arsenaal on Maria Pijpelincxstraat has poured Belgian beer since 1924. Unchanged interior, vintage signs, antique wallpaper and two cats by the stove.
Tip: Closed Monday and Tuesday. Cash works fastest. The Saturday early-morning sitting fills with regulars.
Witzli-Poetzli ★ 4.1
historisch-centrum · Blauwmoezelstraat 8, 2000 Antwerp
Witzli-Poetzli in Antwerp's cathedral shadow on Blauwmoezelstraat is a candle-lit artists' bar open daily until 02:00. The vintage room runs late on weekends.
Tip: Back tables are quieter; the front bar fills after 23:00. Cash works best.
Café Quinten Matsijs ★ 4.2
historisch-centrum · Moriaanstraat 17, 2000 Antwerp
Café Quinten Matsijs is Antwerp's oldest pub, a 1565 inn on the corner of Moriaanstraat with stained glass, beer steins on every shelf and a 250-year-old tonspel still in the corner.
Tip: Closed Monday and Tuesday. Bolleke De Koninck on draft is the local pour; the Trappist list runs deep.
Paeters Vaetje ★ 4.3
historisch-centrum · Blauwmoezelstraat 1, 2000 Antwerp
Paeters Vaetje in Antwerp on Blauwmoezelstraat pours Belgian abbey, Trappist and lambic styles in the cathedral shadow. The cellar list rotates weekly.
Tip: Order a Westvleteren 12 if it is in stock. The cellar list runs deep.
Billie's Bier Kafétaria ★ 4.3
sint-andries · Kammenstraat 12, 2000 Antwerp
Billie's Bier Kafétaria on Kammenstraat pours 10 taps and 200 bottles across Trappist, lambic and modern Belgian craft. Small bites at the bar.
Tip: Closed Monday. The list rotates weekly; ask for what is just on tap.