Bolleke on the Grote Markt, cocktails in Het Zuid, axe throwing, BattleKart and clubs until 07:00: here's how to plan your stag do or hen party in Antwerp, with the best things to do and the direct ICE from Cologne.
Good to know
A beer costs €3–5 in a café, a 25 cl Primus at Bar Salon from €3, and a Bolleke at Quinten Matsijs is among the draught beers at €2.40–4.80. Cocktails €11–14 on the Dageraadplaats, €12–16 in Het Zuid. Clubs mostly €15–25 entry, fries €3–5.
All costs and money-saving tips ↓De Lijn trams run 1 hour later than usual on Fridays and Saturdays, and there are night lines too, on which the SMS ticket isn't valid. Single ticket €3, day ticket €9, via the app or contactless. Antwerp-Taxi +32 3 238 38 38 round the clock, plus Uber and Bolt.
De Lijn public transport ↗No general closing time is on record. The Cargo Club in the Schipperskwartier stays open longest, on Saturdays from 23:00 to 07:00; The Villa until 05:00 on Fridays and Saturdays, IKON from 23:00, De Zure on the Dageraadplaats until 03:00. If you start at Den Engel, you're welcome from 09:00 in the morning.
A ban on drinking alcohol in public applies in places including Koningin Astridplein in front of the station, De Coninckplein, Sint-Jansplein and the Groenplaats along with Eiermarkt, Hendrik Conscienceplein, Meirbrug and Schoenmarkt; the police can confiscate alcohol. Misbehave on a tram or bus and De Lijn will charge you €127.
The Bolleke is Antwerp's city beer: amber, 5.2%, served in the round glass it's named after, brewed by De Koninck since 1833. The Antwerpse handjes, hand-shaped biscuits, recall the legend of Brabo. Service is included in the price; rounding up is usual.
From Cologne the ICE runs direct to Antwerpen-Centraal twice a day, taking 2 hours 20 minutes to 2 hours 47 minutes via Aachen and Brussels Airport; FlixBus takes about 3 hours 50 minutes. From Amsterdam the Eurocity Direct takes 1 hour 23 minutes, from Rotterdam 45 minutes. If you're driving, register for the LEZ low-emission zone in advance.
For a hotel for your stag or hen do in Antwerp, a hostel dorm bed costs €18–30 a night and a budget hotel €80–160. The A&O Antwerpen Centraal is right by the station, ideal if you arrive on the ICE. From the station it's about 2 km along the Meir to the Grote Markt.
In July and August the average high is 23.6 °C, in January 6.8 °C; it's sunniest from May to August. Plan B if it rains: exhibitions on 10 floors at the MAS, the cathedral with 4 Rubens paintings, escape rooms at Exit Games and Escaping Antwerp, or BattleKart in the Waagnatie hall.
Plan & map
Bars, clubs, restaurants and activities on one map: filter by type, add your favourites with “+ Add to plan” and share the plan with your group via a link, no account needed. Rather have a ready-made schedule? The itinerary generator builds one for you.
Antwerp activities by type: click an idea and the list and map show only what matches.
For the stag do, but not only: axes at WoodCutter on Plantinkaai, augmented reality karting at BattleKart and 20 lanes at Bowling Stones in Wommelgem.
Battle Mode at Exit Games on the Willemdok, three rooms next to the Grote Markt at Escaping Antwerp, the Kraakfabriek and 90 minutes of Senza Quest for up to 30 people.
The De Koninck brewery with a tour and tasting, a beer tasting with a brewery visit, and Belgian beers at Billie's and at Quinten Matsijs, the oldest café in the city.
The cocktail workshop on the Meir, Dogma near the Grote Markt, Sips and Bar Burbure in Het Zuid, Paloma by the MAS and the wine tasting with experts.
The Rederij Flandria harbour cruise from the Asiadok, the boat trip through the old docks, a private boat tour with drinks and the cruise through the port.
Cargo Club until 07:00, IKON on Straatsburgdok, The Villa with its Ladies Night, Ampere beneath the station and karaoke boxes at JOYT, plus the dance café Den Engel.
Paint & Sip at Rembrandt van Wine, the food tour with 5 tastings, the free MAS panorama roof and a bike tour of the highlights.
Mussels and stoofvlees at De Rooden Hoed, fish at Maritime, groups of up to 180 at Appelmans, street food at WOLF, art nouveau at Horta and fries at Frites Atelier.
Traditional café right on the Grote Markt, at this spot since 1903: a dance café at weekends with “Saturday & Sunday Night Fever” and the occasional live act, plus a billiards club on the first floor. Open from 09:00 during the week, the classic first stop.
Beer pub on Kammenstraat with mostly Belgian beers on tap and in bottles, plus its own food menu and a bottle shop for takeaway. Bookings by email or phone; on Fridays and Saturdays only for 18:00 or 20:00.
Bar with tapas and handmade cocktails on Hendrik Conscienceplein, daily 11:00–24:00. Parties of 20 or more are possible, enquiries by email; menus in Dutch and English. Note: drinking alcohol is banned on the square itself, so stay inside or on the terrace.
Cocktail bar on Wijngaardstraat near Hendrik Conscienceplein, a few steps from the Grote Markt. Monday to Thursday 17:00–24:00, Fridays until 01:00, Saturdays 15:00–01:00; the stop for a round of cocktails between the beer pub and the club.
According to the owners, Antwerp's oldest café, an inn since 1565, a few steps from the cathedral: draught beers such as De Koninck, Chouffe and Trappists for about €2.40–4.80. Fridays and Saturdays 12:00–24:00, kitchen until about 21:30, bookings by phone.
Wine and beer bar near the MAS with natural wines and Belgian beers, plus small plates such as cheese, charcuterie, sourdough bread and shrimp croquettes. Weekdays from 16:00, weekends from 15:00, closed on Tuesdays; the terrace is heated.
Café-bistro with a terrace on Van Schoonbekeplein on the Eilandje: draught beer, wine, apéro and tapas snacks. Open only Wednesday to Sunday 11:00–18:00, closed on Mondays and Tuesdays, so it's the afternoon stop before the MAS roof.
Bar with a cocktail list on the Dageraadplaats in Zurenborg: a 25 cl Primus from €3, cocktails €11, alcohol-free versions €9, wine €4.70 a glass. Parties can get a discount on drinks on request, and DJs occasionally play with free entry.
Café with a bar and events on the Dageraadplaats: a 25 cl Stella from €3.10, cocktails €11.50–14, an apéro board €12.50. Fridays and Saturdays until 03:00, closed on Mondays; a small and a larger room can be hired for parties.
Classic cocktail bar with a maritime interior and a blue stone bar on Gillisplaats in Het Zuid. Open Thursday to Sunday, Fridays until 01:00, terrace Friday to Sunday; private events and tables by phone or email, over-18s only.
Cocktail and wine bar on Vlaamse Kaai in Het Zuid with more than 600 wines and bar food; the menus are online as PDFs. Fridays and Saturdays 16:00–01:00, closed on Sundays and Mondays; the bar can be hired for private parties, enquiries via the contact form.
Long-standing café and brasserie in Het Zuid with a terrace on Vlaamse Kaai: daily from 10:00, kitchen open all day until 21:00 with classics such as stoofvlees and vol-au-vent. A separate room for groups can be booked by phone or email.
Nightclub in the Schipperskwartier with a light and laser show, an LED wall and its own sound system: regularly on Saturdays from 23:00 to 07:00, plus themed nights, on Thursdays for example. A mixed programme, including the “Red&Blue Gay Events” series; pick the right night from the agenda.
Club with Belgian club DJs, aimed, according to the club, at over-30s and the “golden youth”: Fridays, Saturdays and the night before public holidays 23:00–05:00. On “Ladies on Friday”, groups of 4 or more women get in free before 24:00, good for a hen do; tickets online.
Club and gig venue beneath Centraal station, according to the operators Belgium's first eco-friendly club: techno, electronic, drum & bass through to Latin and emo nights, club nights mostly from 23:00. For groups there's the occasional “Bingo Loco”, rave bingo with comedy from 18:00.
Big club on Straatsburgdok with several rooms, IKON, Aura, Skyclub and Fusia, on the site of the former Noxx: parties mostly on Fridays and Saturdays from 23:00 with R&B, Afrobeats, Latin, Balkan or hardcore. Tickets online, VIP tables per event by email or WhatsApp.
Interactive tour of the brewery behind the Bolleke, about 1 hour at your own pace with German subtitles and 2 tastings: €19.90 per person, €17.90 for 15 people or more. On Fridays and Saturdays at 18:00 the Weekend Pairing for €36.50; closed on Mondays, book online.
Axe-throwing bar on Plantinkaai with a lane for each group: a session lasts 60 minutes, from €21 per person, and beer and cocktails are only for active throwers. Fridays and Saturdays until 23:00, closed on Mondays; minimum age 12, under-18s only with adults.
3 escape rooms for 2 to 8 people each on Reyndersstraat, about 1 minute from the Grote Markt: €70 base price plus €12.50 per person, so €170 for eight. Plus a café with 99 seats and board games, AR darts, karaoke and indoor pétanque.
Escape games on the Willemdok, 60 minutes each, such as Alcatraz, The Diamonds of Antwerp or The Cold War: €27.95–44.95 per person, cheaper the bigger the group. In Battle Mode, up to 16 people play Alcatraz in two teams against each other.
Three fully automated escape games on Oudeleeuwenrui, De Bunker, De Kraak and De Illusionist, each room at least 80 m². The goal is to get out within 1 hour; the operator explicitly names stag and hen parties as a target group.
Augmented reality karting in the Waagnatie hall on Rijnkaai: €19.50 per person per game, a session lasts 15 minutes, 2 to 12 players. On a stag or hen do, the guest of honour drives free in full costume; late slots until 23:00 or 24:00 by booking only.
Interactive sensory experience on Nationalestraat between the Old Town and Het Zuid: 90 minutes of play for groups of 4 to 30 people, from €26 per person. Monday to Friday 09:00–22:00, weekends until 23:00, with its own offer page for stag and hen parties.
Karaoke complex on Noorderlaan next to Kinepolis, about 3 km from the Old Town, with karaoke boxes, darts, a bar and a restaurant: a karaoke box with a quiz costs €17 per person for 2 hours. There's a dedicated stag and hen package with boxes, workshops and a group menu.
Paint & Sip in the Felix Pakhuis on the Willemdok: 2 hours of guided painting, €42.50 per person including materials, canvas, music and drinks such as wine and home-made iced tea. Fixed sessions mostly on Friday and Saturday evenings, private events for groups on request.
The 62 m museum on the Eilandje: the panorama roof and the walking boulevard are free to access without a ticket, Tuesday to Sunday until 22:00, and until midnight from 1 April to 31 October. The museum itself costs €12, €8 for groups of 12 or more; closed on Mondays.
Bowling in Wommelgem, about 6 km east of the Grote Markt, with 20 lanes, darts, karaoke and billiards: Friday to Sunday €38 per lane per hour, otherwise €35. Food packages such as pizza with 2 drinks for €23.10; book at least 24 hours ahead.
According to the owners, Antwerp's oldest restaurant, on Oude Koornmarkt just behind the Grote Markt: Flemish food with mussels and stoofvlees, plus dedicated group menus. Closed on Mondays, Saturdays open all day 12:00–22:00; book online or by phone.
Restaurant between the Grote Markt and the Scheldt, specialising in mussels and fish: shrimp croquettes, seafood platters, oysters and lobster. Lunch 12:00–14:00, dinner 18:00–21:30, closed on Wednesdays and Thursdays; groups book by phone only.
Classic brasserie with cosmopolitan touches on Papenstraatje, a few steps from the Groenplaats: groups of 15 to 180 people with set options for dinner, walking dinner or buffet, plus its own absinthe bar. Group enquiries by email or phone.
Fries concept from 3-Michelin-star chef Sergio Herman on Korte Gasthuisstraat: fries with Flemish beef ragout and home-made sauces, plus beers such as Karmeliet. Daily 11:30–20:00, counter service, the quick snack between two activities.
Food hall with 10 street food kiosks in the historic Felix Pakhuis on the Willemdok, plus 3 bars, 3 event rooms and a waterside terrace. Everyone picks their own, ideal for groups; Fridays until 22:00, groups book via the private events page.
Art nouveau grand café on Hopland near the Meir with lunch, dinner, champagne and cocktails, kitchen open all day 11:30–21:30. For group dinners there's a separate art nouveau hall; enquiries via the events contact.
Flemish eetcafé opposite the De Koninck city brewery: stoofvlees “Bolleke” €24, vol-au-vent “Tripel d'Anvers” €24, cheese croquettes €16. Tuesday to Saturday at lunchtime and 17:30–21:00; groups of 8 or more enquire by phone or email.
Interactive tour of the De Koninck city brewery, home of the Bolleke, with two beers according to the listing. A good afternoon stop, after which you can head across the road to Brasserie De Pelgrim or back into the Old Town; times are in your booking. From approx. €20 per person.
Guided beer tasting tour through Antwerp with a brewery visit: according to the listing, with several Belgian beers and background on beer culture. For groups who want to start the first evening with an expert; the meeting point and beers are in your booking. From approx. €89 per person.
Axe throwing in Antwerp: according to the listing, about 1 hour with an introduction on your own lane. The classic for a stag do, but fun for mixed groups too; the venue, drinks and minimum numbers are in your booking. From approx. €25 per person.
Public boat trip through the old docks around the Eilandje, about 1 hour according to the listing. A relaxed afternoon activity, after which the MAS, WOLF Food Market and the bars on the Willemdok are right on the waterfront. From approx. €25 per person.
Private boat tour through the old port: according to the listing, about 1.5 hours with drinks and snacks on board. For groups who want the boat to themselves; departure, drinks and group size are in your booking. From approx. €52 per person.
Cruise through the Port of Antwerp: according to the listing, 2 to 3 hours past the docks, locks and terminals of Europe's second-largest port after Rotterdam. Departure, inclusions and times are in your booking. From approx. €23 per person.
Walking tour through Antwerp with 5 tastings: according to the listing, about 2 hours with Belgian specialities. A relaxed activity for a hen do or your arrival day; the stops and tastings are in your booking. From approx. €69 per person.
Paint & Sip at Rembrandt van Wine in the Felix Pakhuis on the Willemdok: according to the listing, guided painting with drinks, materials included. A classic for a hen party; the session and drinks are in your booking. From approx. €52 per person.
Guided bike tour of Antwerp's highlights: according to the listing, about 2 hours, bike included. For the morning after the first night, fresh air along the Scheldt and through the neighbourhoods; the meeting point and route are in your booking. From approx. €30 per person.
Wine tasting with a wine expert in Antwerp: according to the listing, with several wines and explanations. Suits a quiet evening or a hen party before dinner; the venue, wines and duration are in your booking. From approx. €67 per person.
Cocktail workshop in the Miraeus studio at Meir 107, everyone at their own station: 2 cocktails in 1 hour, 3 in 1.5 hours or 4 in 2 hours, from €30 per person. Explicitly open to stag and hen parties too; you book by requesting a quote.
Harbour cruise with Rederij Flandria from Asiadok-Zuidkaai: on weekdays about 2 hours for €23, at weekends about 3 hours for €28 per person. Snacks can be pre-ordered, such as the borrelplank for €16; private charters for groups on request.
The Old Town's main square with the town hall and the Brabo Fountain: according to legend, Silvius Brabo threw the hand of the giant Antigoon into the Scheldt, hence the Antwerpse handjes. Den Engel is right on the square, Het Steen and the Scheldt about 300 m away.
Square by the cathedral with a tram and premetro stop and a bike-share station; Brasserie Appelmans and Billie's are a few steps away. Drinking alcohol is banned on the square itself; in winter the covered 1,200 m² ice rink stands here.
Medieval castle on Steenplein right on the Scheldt, home to the Visit Antwerpen tourist office and The Antwerp Story exhibition. The Rederij Flandria ticket office is nearby, and the Grote Markt is a few minutes away.
The “railway cathedral”, opened in 1905: a stone dome 75 m high, 14 tracks on 3 levels, and where the ICE from Cologne arrives. It's about 2 km along the Meir to the Grote Markt; drinking alcohol is banned on Koningin Astridplein in front of the station.
The city's oldest dock, built from 1803 to 1812, now a marina: right on the dock are the MAS, the Felix Pakhuis with WOLF Food Market and Rembrandt van Wine, and Exit Games. The meeting point for an evening on the Eilandje.
Square in Zurenborg about 3 km east of the Old Town with several cafés side by side, including Bar Salon and De Zure: a local nightlife area off the tourist trail. If you're planning on Ampere beneath Centraal station, start here with beer and cocktails.
Guide prices excluding travel, food & accommodation. Check the provider for today's prices.
🗺️ Open route in Google MapsNeighbourhoods
Antwerp goes out in six neighbourhoods: beer pubs around the Grote Markt, fries and axes on the Groenplaats, cocktails in Het Zuid, a food hall and the MAS on the Eilandje, cafés in Zurenborg and the clubs in the Schipperskwartier and by the port.
For the oldest café, a dance café and mussels
Around the Grote Markt: the dance café Den Engel right on the square, here since 1903, Trappist beers at Café Quinten Matsijs on Moriaanstraat, an inn since 1565, tapas and cocktails at Bar Zorro on Hendrik Conscienceplein and Flemish food at De Rooden Hoed.
For a beer pub, fries and axe throwing
South of the cathedral around the Groenplaats: Belgian beers on tap at Billie's on Kammenstraat, groups of up to 180 at Brasserie Appelmans, fries by Sergio Herman at Frites Atelier and axe throwing on your own lane at WoodCutter on Plantinkaai.
For cocktails, wine and a brasserie
In Het Zuid, south of the Old Town: stoofvlees on the terrace at L'Entrepôt du Congo on Vlaamse Kaai, more than 600 wines at Bar Burbure next door, cocktails at the blue stone bar at Sips on Gillisplaats and the sensory game Senza Quest on Nationalestraat.
For the MAS roof, a food hall and escape games
By the old port, the Eilandje: the free panorama roof of the 62 m MAS, street food from 10 kiosks at WOLF in the Felix Pakhuis, natural wine and shrimp croquettes at Paloma and, right on the Willemdok, escape games in Battle Mode at Exit Games, with Alcatraz for up to 16 people.
For cafés among locals and Ampere
East of the Old Town on the Dageraadplaats in Zurenborg: €11 cocktails at Bar Salon, Stella from €3.10 and rooms for parties at De Zure, open until 03:00, then Club Ampere beneath Centraal station, with techno, drum & bass and rave bingo.
For clubs until morning
North of the Old Town: Cargo Club in the Schipperskwartier, open until 07:00 on Saturdays, escape games at the Kraakfabriek on Oudeleeuwenrui, The Villa on Limbastraat with Ladies Night on Fridays, and the big club IKON with four rooms on Straatsburgdok.
Sample itinerary
This is what a weekend that works in Antwerp looks like, whether it's a stag do, a hen party or a quieter group. You'll find every venue in the planner above, where you can swap out individual stops.
Mussels or stoofvlees, group menu.
Bolleke and Trappist beers in the oldest café.
Dance café on the Grote Markt.
Four rooms on Straatsburgdok.
60 minutes of axe throwing on your own lane.
Augmented reality karting; the guest of honour drives free in costume.
Tour with 2 tastings.
Street food for everyone in the Felix Pakhuis.
Saturdays until 07:00.
Natural wine and shrimp croquettes by the MAS.
2 hours of painting with drinks.
Cocktails near the Grote Markt.
Ladies Night: groups of 4 or more women get in free before 24:00.
Belgian specialities on foot.
Everyone at their own station, up to 4 cocktails.
Dinner in the art nouveau hall.
Cocktails at the blue stone bar.
Club night beneath Centraal station.
Meet at the Brabo Fountain.
Belgian beers on tap; book for 18:00.
Mussels and fish on Suikerrui.
3 hours through the port at weekends.
Coffee and an apéro on Van Schoonbekeplein.
Panorama roof without a ticket.
Stoofvlees in Het Zuid.
More than 600 wines.
Your group's a bit different? The itinerary generator builds a plan around your group, budget and mood, using the same venues.
Budget
In Antwerp, a beer in a café costs €3–5, a cocktail €11–16 and a club mostly €15–25. The fish restaurant, a private boat tour and a guided beer tasting push the budget up; the free MAS roof, fries, BattleKart at €19.50 and the €9 day ticket keep it down.
| Option | Per person | What's included |
|---|---|---|
| One night out | €50–110 | dinner at a brasserie, two beer pubs and a club |
| A day with an activity | €90–180 | plus axe throwing, BattleKart, an escape room or a brewery tour |
| Weekend | €180–400 | two nights out, one activity, one night in a double room, travel not included |
Guide prices per person, based on the prices of the venues and tours on this page. The bride or groom usually doesn't pay; their share is split across the group. The planner above adds up what your programme costs.
Travel isn't included, as that depends on where you're coming from. Accommodation is based on the country's price level. Work out your own budget with the cost calculator.
Seasonal tips
These dates come round every year. If your weekend falls on one of them, the city will be packed. If you'd rather keep things relaxed, plan around them.
4 days of jazz on 3 stages in Park Den Brandt over the long Whitsun weekend.
From Whitsun, a 5-week funfair on the former railway site Spoor Oost, with more than 150 rides.
Usually on the last two weekends of July at De Schorre provincial park in Boom, about 16 km south, with around 200,000 visitors each weekend.
In July and August, around 2 months of concerts, circus, open-air cinema and summer bars, some of it free.
Three days of festivities on the Grote Markt in August, all about the city beer.
Around 5 days of Pride in August, with the parade on the Saturday.
From early December to early January, Christmas markets on the Grote Markt, Groenplaats, Handschoenmarkt and Suikerrui; the covered 1,200 m² ice rink stands on the Groenplaats.
The “railway cathedral” from 1905: a stone dome 75 m high, a station hall of 43 m, 14 tracks on 3 levels. In a Newsweek poll it was voted the fourth most beautiful station in the world.
The north tower is 123 m tall and is part of the UNESCO World Heritage belfries; the church is 117 m long. Inside hang 4 paintings by Rubens, good for a rainy day.
62 m tall, with exhibitions on 10 floors and a panorama roof looking out over the city and port, free to access without a ticket, Tuesday to Sunday until 22:00, and until midnight in the summer half of the year.
Questions
