Vinogradoff Wine Bar is a bar in Graslei Korenlei, Ghent.
Vinogradoff specialises in natural and biodynamic wines from Eastern Europe, with by-the-glass pours from its bar-shop on the Ajuinlei near the Korenlei.
Must order: Georgian amber wine flight: three pours from different qvevri producers that show how dramatically the style.
Tip: An evening that starts at Vinogradoff and continues to Korenlei dinner follows the best natural wine and food arc in Ghent.
Address: Ajuinlei 15, 9000 Gent, Ghent
By day a specialty coffee bar, Cafe Labath transitions to wine and Belgian beer by early evening at its corner near Sint-Michielsbrug in the centre.
Order: Belgian natural wine by the glass at the window seat: the light through the giant corner windows is the best.
Tip: The bar atmosphere is most relaxed Tuesday evenings; weekends fill from 19:00.
Hey Frankie operates as a natural wine bar three evenings a week near Vrijdagmarkt, with sensibly-priced natural pours and a loyally following local crowd.
Order: The cheapest glass on the natural wine list: Hey Frankie's entry-level pours are genuinely good.
Tip: Open Friday, Saturday and Sunday only; the Friday 18:00 slot is the sweet spot before the evening rush.
De Hopduvel is one of Belgium's most respected beer bottle shops, now relocated to Dok Noord with around 900 Belgian beers in stock. The shop-bar allows you.
Order: Aged Westvleteren 12: when it is in stock, buy one and drink it at the bar in the correct glass.
Tip: Open Tuesday to Saturday; the bottle selection changes when distributors deliver. Ask the staff what arrived that week.
Trefpunt is a music and theatre cafe run by the non-profit that launched the modern Ghent Festivities in 1970, hosting concerts almost every evening from 21:00.
Order: Belgian draft beer with a free Monday concert: the indie, reggae, slam and folk programming runs five nights a week.
Tip: Monday concerts are free; doors typically from 17:00 weekdays, 15:00 Friday and Saturday. Check the Trefpunt programme before walking up.
Het Spijker is a local pub set in a former granary, with a lounge on the second floor and two terraces: one facing the city centre, the other on the Leie waterside.
Order: Ghent draft beer on the back terrace overlooking the Leie at dusk: the canal view is the reason locals keep coming back.
Tip: Opens from 10:00 and closes when the last visitor leaves, often well past 02:00. The back terrace is best on warm afternoons.
Jigger's is a subterranean cocktail bar in the Patershol, listed on the World's 50 Best Discovery list. The cellar bar uses seasonal produce and locally.
Order: The house seasonal cocktail: the team rotates the signature list every few months based on what is growing.
Tip: Open from 17:00 Tuesday through Sunday; the back terrace on warm evenings is one of the most atmospheric drinking spots in Ghent.
