Brussels, City of Games: A Guide to the Capital's Best Gaming Spots
Here's a truth most tourists miss: Brussels is one of Europe's best cities for anyone who loves games. Between a waffle and a walk around the Grand-Place, you can pick up the latest hit from Essen, sip a Trappist beer while playing Wingspan, lock yourself in an escape room, or hunt for hidden clues in the alleys around the Manneken-Pis. At Inspired Global Gaming, we know these spots by heart (we've spent plenty of evenings there, and a fair few euros too). This guide gathers all of Brussels' gaming venues, category by category, with a full article for each one.
Brussels is home to dozens of board game venues: specialist shops, board game bars, toy libraries, escape rooms, outdoor treasure hunts, historic pubs and trading card game stores. Whether you're here for a weekend or settled in for the week, you'll always find somewhere to play, both in the city centre and in the surrounding districts.
Where to buy a board game in Brussels
Brussels has several specialist board game shops run by enthusiasts who recommend titles based on your player profile. Le Meeple Lecteur, right in the centre in the Galerie Ravenstein, is the handiest address for a tourist. Sajou, in Jette, offers a huge catalogue for every budget and age group. These shops are the perfect place to bring home a souvenir that lasts longer than a bag of speculoos.
Where to play a board game in a bar in Brussels
Brussels' board game bars let you play on site, often with a library of several hundred boxes and a drink within reach. La Luck, in Ixelles, has become the go-to of the genre (Belgian broadcaster RTBF even made it the flagship of the country's board game bars). Le Bar à Jeux in Saint-Gilles and Chez Cubitus in Ixelles round things out with a neighbourhood feel. It's the perfect plan for a rainy evening, which, let's be honest, Brussels is never short of.
What are the best escape rooms in Brussels?
Brussels has a particularly dense escape room scene, with rooms for every level, from beginner to seasoned player. Themes range from detective investigations to fantasy, and several rooms offer bilingual French-English versions, handy when your group mixes languages. It's the ideal activity for a team-building day, a birthday or a group of friends after an hour of adrenaline.
How to see Brussels differently with an outdoor treasure hunt
Outdoor treasure hunts and open-air escape games turn a visit to Brussels into a real-life adventure. Trails such as those by Coddy, Qui veut Pister? or the Escape the City game around the Manneken-Pis have you solving puzzles while discovering the city's landmarks, at your own pace and without booking a room. It's the most playful way to explore Brussels in good weather (and a fine excuse to walk from one terrace to the next).
Where to buy Magic, Pokémon and One Piece cards in Brussels
Brussels has several shops specialising in trading card games (TCG) such as Magic: The Gathering, Pokémon, One Piece and Lorcana. Outpost Brussels is a must for players and collectors, with boosters, single cards and a play space. MAVAPOKÉMON, a Pokémon specialist, and the Smartoys chain round out the offer in the centre. These shops also run tournaments, perfect for meeting the local community over an afternoon.
Brussels is worth the trip for gamers
Whether you want to buy, play, solve or explore, Brussels has a spot for you. Keep this guide handy during your stay, and dive into the detailed articles to plan your gaming itinerary. And if you find a spot we've missed, let us know: we love filling in the map.