Ixelles District

Elsene for the Flemish, Ixelles for the Walloons, Ixelles is one of the nineteen municipalities of the Brussels-Capital Region of Belgium, located in the suburbs towards the south of Brussels' city center, geographically bisected by the City of Brussels municipality. It is also bordered by the municipalities of Auderghem, Etterbeek, Forest, Uccle, Saint-Gilles and Watermael-Boitsfort. It is generally considered an affluent area of the city and is particularly noted for its communities of European and Congolese immigrants. In common with all the Brussels municipalities, it is legally bilingual (French–Dutch). This hyperlocal yet international neighborhood shows a part of the capital that is still unexplored by the masses of tourists. Multicultural and bilingual, Ixelles is a fantastic neighborhood to discover. So if you are seeking for an alternative night out, move away from the beaten tourist path, once you’re done exploring the Ancienne Belgique, of course, and imagine yourself as a local at Ixelle District, holding a cold beer at one of these places we warmly recommend. If you have trouble finding it, you can get a Brussels taxi transport there.
 

De Valera’s

There’s no pub like an Irish pub. De Valera’s offers traditional Irish cooking and the typical Irish beers and whiskeys. There is always live sports on the television so you won’t miss out on the latest matches. Or you can choose to have a seat with a view on the Place Flagey. Enjoy it with a big, cold pint in your hand.
 

Le Bar d’Ixelles

The name of this bar literally translates to ‘The Bar of Ixelles’. True to its name, Le Bar d’Ixelles can be found at the center of the Ixelles neighborhood near the cemetery, close to the Free University of Brussels. But don’t think that this place is dead quiet, since Le Bar d’Ixelles organizes theme nights, concerts and wild nights with live DJs.
 

Café Belga

Whether you’re after brunch, lunch, or just some coffee, Café Belga has all of this and more. Found at the lively Place Flagey and located within the historic Radio House, this café is laid-back during the day and packed in the evening. The evening live concerts are great, and often you’ll find people dancing inside or on the terrace. The view and atmosphere on the terrace are marvelous by the way, when the weather allows it.
 

L’Amère à Boire

The name of this bar translates to ‘the bitter drink’. Not that there’s anything bitter about this bar, it’s the place to be for beer enthusiasts. The large variety of beers, L’Amère à Boire serves about a hundred different kinds, shows the bar’s great love for the national drink. The passion for beers also shows in the selection of fine quality brews. So join the drinking students, the locals and the beer fans on a taste exploration through the Belgian world of hop and brew, close to the Place Flagey.
 

Le Tavernier

Some bars are easily found in city centers, while others are hidden gems in the surrounding neighborhoods. Le Tavernier obviously belongs in the second category. The heated outdoor terrace is a great place to sit at any season, and the many drink options and live concerts will make you want to stay longer. If live music isn’t for you, you can relax on the comfortable sofas of the first floor and watch a sports game on the big screen with the other Brussels residents.
 

Le Bar à Tapas

Head over to Le Bar à Tapas for some Spanish charm in Brussels. This beautifully decorated restaurant and bar in Ixelles, near the Horta Museum, is a great place to spend your afternoon with a glass of wine. And some Spanish dishes, of course.
 

Bar du Marché

Relax close to Place Flagey with a cooled drink on the terrace in the summer and a hot drink inside during winter. Bar du Marché also has some board games for those calm, rainy weekends. The friendly atmosphere and good service make the experience complete. So get settled in one of the comfy chairs and get lost in the multiculturalism that is Ixelles.
 

77 Bar

Cozy and lively, an evening at 77 Bar easily turns into a spontaneous party among strangers. Besides having a vibrant ambiance, 77 Bar has a large selection of beers and hosts ‘sport’ events. Not that you’ll do sports at the bar, it’s for the supporters and the fans. 77 Bar is also a bit of a restaurant, you can try out a large variety of dishes and snacks. But what makes this bar really unique is that you can fill up your glass yourself, as there are beer pumps at the tables.
 

Flip

The go to place for the young, artistic crowd, Flip is a calm café, with a hipster-like atmosphere and a friendly barman, where you can just take it easy with some beer and excellent music, perhaps trying out the pool table. Creative minds come together here in the vintage interior where the art pieces are sometimes on sale. It’s a great place to go when you just want to unwind in a world of art, with beer, of course.

Ixelles is one of the most central municipalities in Brussels and also one of the most international ones. This makes it very diverse in terms of places to hang out in. It is a great area to go out and have fun, shop and generally live. The mixing of nationalities makes it also very lively and creates a sense of welcoming. So enjoy a day-trip to Les Galeries Royales Saint-Hubert in Brussels, but in the evening call a Brussels taxi company and get a ride to Ixelle District.