3 Best Bars in Antwerp and the Northeast, Belgium

Background Illustration for Nightlife

There are 2,500 taverns in Antwerp—one for every 200 inhabitants—and the city is the club-going capital of Belgium, which means that the centers of nightlife are abuzz until the wee hours of the morning. The narrow winding streets of the Grote Markt, around the cathedral in particular, are packed with cafés, bars, restaurants, and a few clubs; it's an area that's very popular with visitors and locals looking for a traditional ale or a nice meal. For the hipper, more artsy crowd, Mechelseplein is an area just coming to life and finding its feet, with plenty of the hip cafés, bars, and theaters. Alternatively, head south to Leuvenstraat, especially around the Museum van Hedendaagse Kunst (MuHKA), which teems with bars and clubs. You might even be able to catch a cabaret performance.

Along the waterfront at Vlaamse Kaai and Waalse Kaai, there's a large parking square where you'll find some of Antwerp's biggest clubs as well as a group of smaller pubs. Be advised, though, that they share the area with Antwerp's red-light district.

Café Hopper

Café Hopper presents jazz performances every Sunday and Monday starting at 4 and 9 pm respectively in a rather formal environment. Check their website for other performance times.

Leopold De Waelstraat 2, 2000, Unknown
03-248–4933

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Cafe Hopper

South of the Center

Café Hopper is open daily as a bar, but also presents jazz performances every Monday at 9 pm in a rather formal environment. Check their website for other performance times.

Leopold De Waelstraat 2, Antwerp, 2000, Belgium
03-248–4933

Something incorrect in this review?

De Muze

Oude Stad
De Muze has train-station decor and good jazz sounds daily. Check their website for the latest schedule of performers.

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