Where to play board games in a bar in Brussels? A guide to the game bars
This article is part of our guide Brussels, City of Games. See also our guides to shops, escape rooms and festivals.
There are few things more Brussels than a cold beer, a big table and a stack of boxes to open. I've lost whole evenings to it, and I'll tell you straight away: the board game bar is probably the best way to taste the city's gaming scene when you're passing through. No need to buy a box or know the rules, they lend you the game, sometimes explain it, and all that's left is to play. Here's where to set down your glass in Brussels.
Brussels has several board game bars, in Ixelles, Saint-Gilles and Schaerbeek, all a few minutes from the centre by metro or tram. The principle is the same everywhere: a large library of games to borrow, a drinks menu and often something to eat. Most charge a small table fee (a few euros per person) that gives you access to the whole library for the evening.
What is the go-to board game bar in Brussels?
La Luck, at rue Washington 74 in Ixelles, is the best-known board game bar in Brussels, a few minutes from the centre. This Canadian-style restaurant-bar has you play over a proper meal, with a well-known brunch. Belgian broadcaster RTBF made it the flagship of the country's board game bars, and rightly so: the game library is well stocked and the place is built for settling in. It's the smart plan when you want to do two things at once, eat well and rack up games.
A friendly neighbourhood board game bar
Fancy a more local vibe, away from the crowds of the centre? Le Bar à Jeux, at chaussée d'Alsemberg 136 in Saint-Gilles, focuses on local beers, a few gyozas and a varied game library, in a very relaxed neighbourhood atmosphere. In Ixelles, Chez Cubitus, at boulevard Général Jacques 253, offers a carefully curated collection of games and the charm of a real local café. Two addresses perfect for playing like a resident rather than a tourist.
A board game bar for Belgian beer lovers
If beer matters to you as much as the game, head to Live Central Park, at avenue des Azalées 41, near Parc Josaphat in Schaerbeek. This microbrewery lines up around 200 beers and about fifteen Belgian draughts, with board games and comics on hand, all at gentle prices. It's the ideal crossover between a Belgian tasting and a games night.
How does it work and how much does it cost?
The setup is simple and much the same everywhere. You settle in, pick a game from the library (staff can guide you by player count and mood), and pay for your drinks as in any bar. Many places add a table fee of a few euros per person, which gives you access to the whole library for the length of your visit. Consider booking at weekends, especially in the centre, as the good tables go fast.
What if you prefer trading card games?
To play Magic, Pokémon or One Piece rather than a board game, some venues like Outpost Brussels combine a shop with a play space. We cover that in our dedicated guide to trading card game shops in Brussels.
Want to buy the game you loved rather than hand it back on the way out? Head to our guide to board game shops in Brussels. And for everything else, keep our complete guide to Brussels gaming spots close at hand.