Brussels' nightlife centre: the old covered market of Halles Saint-Gery is the anchor, and the streets around it run with cocktail bars, late tapas counters and the city's busiest weekend night map.
Bia Mara in Brussels' Saint-Gery is the British-style fish and chips counter near the Bourse. Sustainable cod, hand-cut chips, condiment bar runs Belgian.
Signature: Beer-battered cod, Hand-cut chips
Order: Beer-battered cod with hand-cut chips, plus the curry-leaf mushy peas.
Tip: Open seven days lunch and dinner. Quick service; the bench tables fill at peak lunch.
Ancienne Belgique on Boulevard Anspach is Brussels' main concert hall, a 2,000-capacity venue with a 250-cap club room downstairs. Indie, rock and electronic touring acts run almost every night.
Tip: Book online; the AB Club hosts smaller acts the same night as main-hall shows. Standing only at most concerts.
Bonnefooi in Brussels' Saint-Gery is the free live-music bar next to Ancienne Belgique. Jazz, funk and world acts most nights; the back room turns into a small dance floor after midnight.
Tip: No cover charge any night; first-come seating, with live music starting around 21:30.
The Music Village in Brussels has been the jazz club on Rue des Pierres since 1989. Touring jazz and blues acts most nights, dinner service alongside the music, small intimate room.
Tip: Reserve a dinner table for the best seats; concert-only tickets stand at the back.
The Eight Rooftop on the 8th floor of the Bedford Hotel in Brussels' Saint-Gery runs cocktails with a city-wide view. DJ sets Thursday to Saturday, terrace open spring through autumn.
Tip: Reserve a terrace seat by 19:00 in summer. The cocktail menu changes seasonally; bottle service for groups of six.
Secret Rooftop in Brussels sits on top of the Warwick Hotel near the Grand Place. Cocktail list, view of the Grote Markt belfry, with summer programming through to late September.
Tip: Reserve a table for sunset; the rooftop closes if weather drops below 10C and reopens spring through autumn.
Le Belgica in Brussels' Saint-Gery has been the canonical gay bar on Rue du Marche au Charbon since the 1990s. Two floors, pop and house Thursday to Sunday, mixed crowd, free entry.
Tip: Free entry every night. Friday and Saturday queues from 23:30; the upstairs floor runs harder than the ground bar.
The Stage in Brussels' Saint-Gery is the drag-and-pop bar on Rue du Marche au Charbon, in the heart of the LGBTQ quarter. Drag shows Friday night, packed dance floor, mixed crowd, no cover.
Tip: Drag shows start at 23:30 Fridays. The smoking terrace at the back is the quieter conversation spot.
Lapin in Brussels' Saint-Gery is the small dance bar on Rue du Marche au Charbon, part of the LGBTQ quarter. Disco and pop main floor, packed Friday and Saturday from 23:00.
Tip: Free entry Thursday to Sunday. The Sunday tea-dance afternoons run from 16:00 in summer.
Chez Maman in Brussels' Saint-Gery is the long-running drag-and-cabaret bar on Rue des Grands Carmes. Drag shows Friday and Saturday nights, packed mixed crowd, no-fuss bar service.
Tip: Drag shows from 23:00; cover charge applies on show nights. Reservations not taken.
Delirium Cafe in Brussels holds the Guinness record for the most beers on offer with over 3,000 varieties. Located in a side alley off Rue des Bouchers; subterranean rooms run seven nights.
Tip: Avoid the Friday and Saturday peak crush around midnight. The Hop Loft upstairs is calmer.