Antwerp

[KeithTheHibby]

Anyone ever been?
Heading over for my brothers stag in a couple of weeks and wondered what’s the best area for drinking in during the day / evening?

[Onceinawhile]

Anyone ever been?
Heading over for my brothers stag in a couple of weeks and wondered what’s the best area for drinking in during the day / evening?

I lived there for 9 months, whilst going to uni. Albeit, this was 12 or so years ago.

Firstly - where are you flying to / from? If it's Charleroi, it is nowhere near brussels and you'll need to get the train into brussels and then the train to Antwerp. (Saddo alert: the inside of the train station is absolutely stunning, and if you want to pick up diamonds, this place is probably the best for it!)

Secondly - where are you staying?

Thirdly - there are pubs on every street and every corner. You will not go wanting for a pub. If it's variety you want cafe Kulminator has something ridiculous like 1000+ beers available. If it's cheapness you want, the area around the university (the ossenmarket) has plenty cheap pubs Kass4, der salamander, barracuda. There's also the port type area, but I understand that's undergone quite some renovation since I was last there.

There is also a quite a few pubs etc... just off the main shopping street the Meir and off the main square.

Most of the pubs stay open late, there's not really a licenced shutting time as such. So if you don't want to go clubbing, you probably don't need to. If you do, there's quite a few clubs up by the red light district.

Also make sure you try de konnick in een bollekke. It was my absolute favourite. Watch yourselves on the leffe (6.6%) and duvel (8.5%)

For transport in and around the city, buy an all weekend tram pass. There are trams that go everywhere. It is a proper under and over ground integrated network.

Lastly - have you checked to see if there's a Royal Antwerp match on? They're going pretty well in the league and cup at the moment, so should be a good atmosphere. Their fans are nutjobs.

[HUTCHYHIBBY]

have you checked to see if there's a Royal Antwerp match on? They're going pretty well in the league and cup at the moment, so should be a good atmosphere. Their fans are nutjobs.

They're at home on Sunday v Charleroi 1230 KO.

[JeMeSouviens]

I went there with the missus for a couple of days in pre-lockdown 2019 before visiting friends in Gent. Direct train from Brussels airport is dead handy if you're flying there. Really nice wee city.

Funnily enough the bar that sticks in my memory is one for those for whom beer is a religion: :greengrin

https://i.ibb.co/g6MFmhN/70975482-2365076140273302-7905838162507726848-n.jpg (https://ibb.co/g6MFmhN)

Didn't go in here: :jamboak:

https://i.ibb.co/hZbq8N2/71308065-2376282599152656-7304199543116005376-n.jpg (https://ibb.co/hZbq8N2)

[Onceinawhile]

They're at home on Sunday v Charleroi 1230 KO.

Definitely get tickets if you can - When I went it was the No5 tram to the Sportspaleis and then a walk from there. But they've replaced all 4 stands in the last 12 years or so and are no longer a 2nd division side, so might be totally different now!

The stadium is pretty far from the main bit of town (ie the train station) so if you're leaving on the Sunday might be a bit tight for time.

[The Modfather]

I lived there for 9 months, whilst going to uni. Albeit, this was 12 or so years ago.

Firstly - where are you flying to / from? If it's Charleroi, it is nowhere near brussels and you'll need to get the train into brussels and then the train to Antwerp. (Saddo alert: the inside of the train station is absolutely stunning, and if you want to pick up diamonds, this place is probably the best for it!)

Secondly - where are you staying?

Thirdly - there are pubs on every street and every corner. You will not go wanting for a pub. If it's variety you want cafe Kulminator has something ridiculous like 1000+ beers available. If it's cheapness you want, the area around the university (the ossenmarket) has plenty cheap pubs Kass4, der salamander, barracuda. There's also the port type area, but I understand that's undergone quite some renovation since I was last there.

There is also a quite a few pubs etc... just off the main shopping street the Meir and off the main square.

Most of the pubs stay open late, there's not really a licenced shutting time as such. So if you don't want to go clubbing, you probably don't need to. If you do, there's quite a few clubs up by the red light district.

Also make sure you try de konnick in een bollekke. It was my absolute favourite. Watch yourselves on the leffe (6.6%) and duvel (8.5%)

For transport in and around the city, buy an all weekend tram pass. There are trams that go everywhere. It is a proper under and over ground integrated network.


Lastly - have you checked to see if there's a Royal Antwerp match on? They're going pretty well in the league and cup at the moment, so should be a good atmosphere. Their fans are nutjobs.

I made that mistake when visiting a friend years ago who was working in Brussels. They were very nice and didn’t taste as strong as they were. Wasn’t very spritely the next day!