Chez moi, c'est près de ma Stella

November 23, 2010 8:53 AM

Brussels, Belgium on business for a month. What can I do in the evenings and weekends?

I am embarking on a month-long trip to Brussels, Belgium from the end of November to mid-December. This will be my second visit lasting a month, and given my failure towards the end of my last trip to find interesting things to fill my time, I turn to Metafilter for some suggestions.

Evenings. I started to go out of my skull in the evenings. I'll work 9-6 or so, but as I don't yet have any outside-work friends in the area, I'm looking for ways to get out and about. My coworkers do take me out from time to time, but I'd like to meet new people, preferably through activities and not bars, because my hearing's not too good and my tolerance not too high. Restaurant suggestions would also be welcome so I can avoid dining chez Carrefour Express and Quick.

My interests: rock climbing, guitar, reading, cycling, and uh, fortunately enough, trying new things. I have books covered, but suggestions on the other fronts are welcome. Specifically:
Guitar. In all likelihood, I won't be bringing my cheap acoustic or less cheap electric guitar with me, as Jet Airways wants $150 each way. Has anyone ever rented a guitar in Brussels? Is craigslist viable in this town? Any suggestions, including music stores to check out, would be greatly appreciated as I love to play.
Climbing. Can anyone suggest climbing gyms or ways to get involved in the local climbing scene? I'm willing to cross borders if need be, but would prefer to explore locally.
Cycling. The weather may not to be too fit for safe cycling, in all likelihood, but has anyone ever rented a bike for a period longer than a day or weekend for a reasonable rate? Where? I see those sweetly cheap Velo bikes everywhere, but apparently I need a Belgian bank account to rent one. I don't think that's a strong possibility for me, but hey, advice on getting one of those is also welcome.

I've seen all the touristy things, and done a trip to Amsterdam, but I'd love suggestions for weekends, too! I know Bruges is mandatory, and I have no idea how I didn't end up there last time :o)

I speak French and basic Dutch, and communication hasn't proved to be a big issue. Feel free to go nuts with off-the-wall suggestions...I'm game.

Last thing: Beer. I know this is a crazy question, but can anyone recommend a Belgian beer that tastes like PBR? Unsurprisingly, I find myself in a lot of situations where drinking is pretty much mandatory, and don't really like any beers but this one (I know, I know), so I'd really appreciate the advice of someone with a higher beer IQ than mine. I can handle the fruit beers, too, (krieks, lambics, what-have-you) but they're way too heavy and sweet for the quantities I'm expected to consume :o)

Thanks!

posted by xiaolongbao to travel & transportation around Brussels, Belgium (9 answers total)

Absolutely visit the Cantillon Brewery and try some of their beers.
posted by deanc at 9:20 AM on November 23, 2010

You are a TGV/Thalys/EuroStar ride away from Paris. (30-40€ on Thalys.com) If you're under 25, you can get a 25-50% discount on each ticket if you get a SNCF Carte 12-25. it looks like a SNCB Go Pass may help you in this department as well.

For beers, you won't find as many European lagers using rice and corn in their beer, but for Belgian pale lager you can try Stella Artois or Jupiler.
posted by mkb at 9:28 AM on November 23, 2010

can anyone recommend a Belgian beer that tastes like PBR?

Jupiler and Stella pretty much fit the light adjunct lager thing down to the ground. You won't have the faint tang of aluminium that comes with PBR in a can, but I don't think you'll mind that.
posted by holgate at 9:32 AM on November 23, 2010

Meetups in Brussels. Here's a good one: http://www.meetup.com/www-meetup-com-brussels-newint/
posted by Elsie at 9:55 AM on November 23, 2010

What part of the city are you living in? I did the expat thing for awhile and lived near the Place Louise. Lots of people are around (along with a multiplex cinema) and lots of restaurants. If you are outgoing you can meet some people.

As for beers, you might like Maes but really you should branch out and try to like some of the Belgian styles since not all Belgian beers are monolithic in taste. In particular you might like Hoegaarden which is light and refreshing.
posted by mmascolino at 11:41 AM on November 23, 2010

Belgium's not that big. Find out when the professional cyclocross races are (cyclingnews.com can help you with schedule; combine with a big of google-maps use and I bet you'd have all the info you'd need) and hit those up on weekends. Clutch large glass of beer. Swill. Holler. Heckle. Repeat.
posted by entropone at 12:36 PM on November 23, 2010

Music shop: Leo Caerts in Leuven (about a half hour drive from Brussels). Caerts is a famous Belgian producer (I think he used to produce Technotronic) who owns a big and famous music shop. If you like music, do visit the Musée des Instruments de Musique at the Mont des Arts (near the new Magritte museum and Central Station). It has a large collection of historic music instruments.

Restaurants: in the Michelin star category: Bon-Bon (Uccle), Alexandre (Place Rouppe, Brussels center), La Paix (Anderlecht, only opened at noon except Friday night, but they'll be booked solid for the next months on Fridays; they serve Belgian classics like "Tête de veau en tortue", calf brain with tomato sauce - you should seriously try this, delicious).

Other worthwile restaurants: Steak'Frit isn't bad (4 locations), Bocconi (near Grand Place, Italian, exquisite but expensive), Vieux Saint-Martin (Sablon, Brussels specialties). Near the Place Sainte Catherine (better known as "Marché aux poissons"), you'll find François and La Belle Maraîchaire, both fish restaurants with an excellent reputation. At all cost, avoid any restaurant in the Rue de Boucher near the Grand Place. You'll recognise them: they have big stacks of sea fruit on display on the street, and there's people trying to lure you in. Looks cosy, but food's horrible.

Snacks: Chez Antoine (Place Jourdan, frites). Mamma Roma (also Place Jourdan, pizza). El Vergel (rue de Trône, near Place Meeûs, good lunch address). For brunch: Karsmakers (near Luxembourg station) does a great breakfast bagel and cappuccino.
posted by NekulturnY at 4:58 AM on November 24, 2010

Thanks to everyone who replied. I had an awesome trip.

Got me a cheap guitar, did some weekend excursions with coworkers, did plenty of drinking of plenty of beers I learned to love (Hoegaarden surprisingly was a fave, I know, not Belgian). Few places have Stella on tap.

I will add more later but wanted to express my gratitude as I marked this resolved!

Anyone traveling to Belgium needing similar advice, pls feel free to MeMail me.
posted by xiaolongbao at 12:54 PM on December 23, 2010

Glad you had a good trip. Hoegaarden is Belgian, though :)
posted by NekulturnY at 3:15 AM on December 24, 2010