Whereâ€™s the party inâ€¦ brussels

words by Veerle Windels

For clubbers

Go clubbing at Le You on a Thursday to enjoy free entry and a happy hour lasts all night. But Fridays and Saturday nights are when you’ll catch the best local and visiting DJs. Soulwax, described by some as Belgium’s best export since beer (they’re from Ghent), and the UK’s soulful house DJ Joey Negro are among the international talents who have been known to spin the decks here. At weekends the party kicks off around midnight and entry is €10. Visit Le You’s website in advance for special events including fashion shows and live bands.

Le You 18 rue Duquesnoy, +32 (0)2 639 1400, www.leyou.be

For live music

Relive the Brussels jazz age at the downtown Art Deco bar L’Archiduc. Opened in 1937 by jazz enthusiast Madame Alice, it still retains some of its original furniture. Local artists, middle-aged musicians and young professionals make up the crowd and there’s live music on Saturdays and Sundays from 5pm to 7pm. Upcoming gigs include jazz saxophonist Roger Hodgson on 30 September. A Gin Fizz costs €7.50.

L’Archiduc 6 rue Antoine Dansaert +32 (0)2 512 0652, www.archiduc.net

For a business drink

French interior design legend Jacques Garcia, who outfitted the Hôtel Costes and Ladurée tearooms in Paris, has gone all out at boutique hotel the Warwick Barsey. Original paintings from the Chateau Chenonceaux in France’s Loire valley hang in the purple-clad bar and restaurant, The Barsey, where each night (except Sunday) there’s a champagne happy hour from 6pm to 8pm (glasses, not bottles, however!). The Black Lounge at be Manos hotel offers an outdoor terrace at penthouse level. The house cocktail is the Belella, a mix of amaretto, orange juice and grenadine; you can order the ‘Homme’ version (with tequila) or the ‘Femme’ (with vodka).

The Barsey at The Warwick 381-383 avenue Louise +32 (0)2 641 5136, www.barsey.be
Black Lounge at be Manos hotel 23 square de l’Aviation +32 (0)2 520 6565, www.bemanos.com

For sampling Belgian beers

You can order Belgian beers such as Stella, Hoegaarden and Westmalle most places now, so why not sample beers from smaller local breweries? Head to A La Mort Subite, founded in 1928, for Lambic-style beers (these strong, fermented beverages are made only in Belgium) and fruit beers like Gueuze and Kriek. A La Mort Subite (which means ‘sudden death’) was named after a quick final card game played by workers on lunch break in 1910 –the décor, with the drinks menu painted onto huge mirrors, recalls this era. The dusty photos of former patrons who once kept the bar stools warm include celebrated singer-songwriter and Brussels son, Jacques Brel.