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Oude Stad
It might not look like much, but this is regularly voted one of the world's best beer cafés for good reason. Bierhuis Kulminator pours 550 different kinds of beer, some of which are more than 30 years old.
Vleminckveld 32-34, Antwerp, Flanders, 2000, Belgium
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Oude Stad
A hefty tome of a menu details the brewery, style, and country of a worldly range of craft ales and Belgian favorites. There are up to 11 beers on draft and around 150 bottled, but if you're at a loss, just ask---the staff are extremely knowledgeable. Grab a board game and settle down for the day, or head upstairs for some excellent Flemish home cooking. It's closed on Tuesday.
Kammenstraat 12, Antwerp, Flanders, 2000, Belgium
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Centraal Station
Belgium's first "ecological" venue lies under the train tracks. As well as club nights, it also runs lectures, vinyl fairs, and workshops, but most come for the music. Nights run the spectrum from deep house to future jazz every Friday and Saturday, so check out the website for upcoming events.
Simonsstraat 21, Antwerp, Flanders, 2000, Belgium
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Centraal Station
Sometimes the name says it all. Just a five-minute walk from Centraal Station, the selection here runs the gamut of craft ale and Belgian favorites, with a dozen draft brews on tap. Its minimalist interior is more cocktail joint that your typical "brown café," but friendly, knowledgeable staff make exploring a bottle list 150-strong a delight.
Rotterdamstraat 105, Antwerp, Flanders, Belgium
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Oude Stad
This is often cited as one of the world's great beer bars. When open (it closes on Sunday and seemingly shuts its doors on a whim), Kulminator's grouch of an owner pours some 600 brews, with many hailing from little-known or long-since-defunct breweries. Its interior is best described as "old clutter," and as long as you don't expect a warm welcome, you'll leave happy.
Vleminckveld 32, Antwerp, Flanders, 2000, Belgium
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Recommended Fodor’s Video
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Oude Stad
It's not often a new beer bar pushes aside Belgium's old stagers, but in the past couple of years this cozy, friendly corner bar has become a firm favorite in Antwerp. The beer choice is vast---11 on draught and about 150 bottled---and there area few you won't find elsewhere in the city. Grab a board game and settle down for the day, or head upstairs for some excellent Flemish home-cooking. It's closed on Tuesdays.
Kammenstraat 12, Antwerp, Flanders, 2000, Belgium
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Oude Stad
Beveren is boisterous and old-fashioned, and even has its own 80-year-old Decap organ—a rarity in the city (or anywhere), since most of the bars traded up for jukeboxes or DJs a long time ago. It also has a good beer selection.
Vlasmarkt 2, Antwerp, Flanders, 2000, Belgium
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Slap-bang in the heart of the red-light district, this is the city's flagship deep house venue, luring tourists and locals alike to its unpretentious, industrial-style dance floor. As is common in Belgium clubs, you might want to bring change for the bathroom.
Verversrui 15, 2000, Unknown
Nightlife Details
Rate Includes: €7–€20 (depending on night)
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This friendly "brown bar" is popular with residents and has a solid beer selection. It's a welcome escape from the gimmicky tourist pubs that dominate the city center.
Wolstraat 22, Antwerp, Flanders, 2000, Belgium
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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
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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, Flanders, 2000, Belgium
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Het Eilandje
Formerly known as Red & Blue, the biggest gay disco in Benelux has changed its name in recent years and expanded its offerings. Relentless house is still the music du jour on its industrial-style dance floor, though, as the party continues until 7 am. Its famous men-only Saturdays are now slightly more ad hoc.
Lange Schipperskapelstraat 11--13, Antwerp, Flanders, 2000, Belgium
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Het Eilandje
Formerly known as Red & Blue, the biggest gay disco in Benelux has changed its name and expanded its offerings. Relentless house is still the music de jour on its industrial-style dance floor and it's still men-only on Saturdays, but drag shows have taken over Sundays.
Lange Schipperskapelstraat 11 and 13, Antwerp, Flanders, 2000, Belgium
Nightlife Details
Rate Includes: Tickets €7.50–€10, Closed Mon.–Thurs.
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South of the Center
In über-trendy Het Zuid, it can be hard to find a traditional "brown café" bar. Chatleroi is the lone survivor, sticking out like a slightly down-at-heels sore thumb, and all the better for it. Old posters, cat paintings, mismatched furniture, and the odd jazz band set the scene for a no-nonsense bar that has survived the area's gentrification and kept its charm.
Graaf van Hoornestraat 2, Antwerp, Flanders, 2000, Belgium
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Oude Stad
Owned by the people behind the excellent Linnen B&B, this pristine, stylish cocktail bar lies in the shadow of the Cathedral of our Lady. Drinks are made with imaginative infusions, homemade bitters, and great skill. However, when the seats are full, drinkers are turned away, so get here early.
Lijnwaadmarkt 9, Antwerp, Flanders, 2000, Belgium
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Oude Stad
This modish cocktail bar—all stone floors and leather sofas—lies in a 200-year-old building in the shadow of the Cathedral of Our Lady. Drinks are made with fanciful infusions, homemade bitters, and great skill—though with prices starting at €15, it isn't cheap. When the seats and terrace are full, drinkers are turned away, so get here early.
Lijnwaadmarkt 9, Antwerp, Flanders, 2000, Belgium
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Oude Stad
De Muze has train-station decor and good jazz sounds daily. Check their website for the latest schedule of performers.
Melkmarkt 15, Antwerp, Flanders, 2000, Belgium
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Oude Stad
Da Vagant is Antwerp's iconic late-night bar, restaurant, and distillery. Sample more than 200 kinds of jenever (20%--54% ABV), a Dutch liquor that is similar to, but predates, gin. The many fruit varieties offer a gentle introduction, but for those without a clue, the staff are very knowledgeable and cheerfully adept at catering to curious tourists.
Reyndersstraat 25, Antwerp, Flanders, 2000, Belgium
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Oude Stad
Facing the main square's fountain, Den Engel draws an eclectic and friendly clientele. It's a great place for people-watching and something of a step back in time; it's not difficult to imagine that it probably hasn't changed much since it opened in 1903.
Grote Markt 3, Antwerp, Flanders, 2000, Belgium
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Oude Stad
Facing the main square's fountain, Den Engel draws an eclectic and friendly clientele. It's a great place for people-watching and something of a step back in time; chances are that it hasn't changed much since it opened in 1903.
Grote Markt 3, Antwerp, Flanders, 2000, Belgium