More than 2,000 beers at Delirium, mussels in the Îlot Sacré, axe throwing, escape rooms and clubs until 06:00: here's how to plan your stag do or hen party in Brussels, with the best things to do and the train from Cologne.
Good to know
A beer (0.5 l) costs €4.22 on average in a neighbourhood pub and around €5 in a café; at Delirium there's draught beer from €3 for 25 cl, Delirium Tremens €4.60. At Le Cercueil 50 cl is about €7.60–11, cocktails €7–8.50. Clubs: UMI €12–15 in advance, C12 from €19. Mussels with fries €25.90–34.
All costs and money-saving tips ↓The metro runs from about 05:00 to midnight. On Fridays and Saturdays the 11 Noctis night buses take over from 00:00 to 03:00, every 20 to 30 minutes from Gare Centrale. Contactless, you pay €2.40 per journey, capped at €8.50 a day. Taxis Verts +32 2 349 49 49 round the clock, and the Collecto shared taxi runs from 00:00 to 06:00.
Noctis STIB ↗No general closing time is on record. You can keep going until 06:00 at Madame Moustache on Quai au Bois à Brûler, at Birdy Friday to Sunday from 00:00 to 06:00 and at UMI; Delirium is open until 04:00 on Fridays and Saturdays, until 02:00 on Sundays. After that, the Noctis buses get you home until 03:00.
Drinking alcohol is banned round the clock in the pedestrian zone around the Bourse, around Sainte-Catherine, on Rue Dansaert and in the Quartier des Quais, terraces excepted; the fine can be up to €500. Smoking is banned in bars. If you're driving, register for the low-emission zone in advance, or it's €150.
Delirium Café holds the Guinness world record with 2,004 types of beer, and there are 8 to 9 more bars around it. À la Mort Subite gave the gueuze brand its name, from a dice game played by the regulars; at Le Cirio you drink “Half en Half”. Manneken Pis has more than 950 costumes. Service is included in the price; rounding up is usual.
From Cologne the Eurostar takes around 1 hour 50 minutes, and from Frankfurt the ICE a little over 3 hours via Cologne and Aachen. From Amsterdam there are 14 Eurostars a day, taking 1 hour 57 minutes. From Zaventem airport the train takes 17 to 18 minutes to Central station, and the Airport2City bus costs €7.90 contactless; from Charleroi the Flibco shuttle takes around 55 minutes.
For a hotel for your stag or hen do in Brussels, there are big hostels: the Meininger on Quai du Hainaut, with 727 beds, takes groups of 12 or more, dorm beds from €21. Sleep Well is about 10 minutes from the centre, beds from €40 with breakfast; the 2GO4 THE CLASSIC on Rue des Harengs is right by the Grand-Place.
In July the average temperature is 18.7 °C, in January 3.7 °C with around 19 days of rain. Plan B if it rains: the glass-roofed Galeries Royales Saint-Hubert, Belgian Beer World, escape rooms at Bomb Squad, Enygma and 60 minutes, bowling at Crosly or karaoke at KaraFun.
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.
Brussels activities by type: click an idea and the list and map show only what matches.
For the stag do, but not only: the Celebration Pack at WoodCutter, BattleKart at Tour & Taxis, bowling and a laser maze at Crosly, and beer pong in a microbrewery.
Defusing bombs at Bomb Squad, a Manneken Pis room at 60 minutes, Enygma on Boulevard de l'Empereur and the Urban Quest for stag and hen parties at Escape Hunt.
Belgian Beer World in the Bourse, lambic at Cantillon, Brussels Beer Project, the Zennebar, guided beer tours, the Hoppy tour as a beer hunt, and tastings.
12 private rooms for 3 to 30 people at KaraFun, with cocktails ordered by tablet straight to your room.
The Choco-Story museum with a workshop, the chocolate workshop with pralines to take home, and waffle baking with a beer tasting.
2,004 beers at Delirium, gueuze at À la Mort Subite, skull mugs at Le Cercueil, lambic from stoneware jugs at À La Bécasse and the Taverne Poechenellekelder by Manneken Pis.
Retro parties at Madame Moustache, techno at Fuse, house at UMI, urban at Birdy and Mirano, and hip-hop at Bloody Louis on Avenue Louise.
Group rooms at Chez Léon and Aux Armes de Bruxelles on Rue des Bouchers, stoemp at Fin de Siècle, mussels at Le Pré Salé and the vaulted cellar 't Kelderke on the Grand-Place.
Beer cellar holding the Guinness world record of 2,004 types of beer, in Impasse de la Fidélité, surrounded by the Delirium Village with 8 to 9 bars: draught beer from €3 for 25 cl, Delirium Tremens €4.60. Fridays and Saturdays until 04:00, no table bookings, private rooms only during the week.
One of the oldest cafés in Brussels, near the Galeries Royales Saint-Hubert, run by the 4th generation and the namesake of the gueuze brand: “Mort Subite” comes from a dice game played by the regulars. Gueuzes and Belgian beers, plus cheese; Monday to Saturday 11:00–24:00, closed on Sundays.
Historic brasserie right on the Grand-Place with listed 17th-century baroque decor and a terrace looking onto the town hall: 40 selected Belgian beers, daily 08:00–01:00. Private rooms for groups of up to 150 people; booked tables are held for 30 minutes.
Gothic-themed bar since 1976, a minute from the Grand-Place: coffins as tables, crosses, skeletons and red light, and the beer comes in handmade skull mugs. A 50 cl beer is about €7.60–11, cocktails with macabre names about €7–8.50, with mostly rock on the stereo.
Traditional Brussels tavern right by Manneken Pis, according to the owners here since 1991, the walls covered in old photos and prints. Fridays and Saturdays 11:00–02:00, closed on Mondays; book tables online, and outside there are seats with a view of the little statue.
Art nouveau brasserie next to the Bourse, here since 1886, known for “Half en Half”, a typical Brussels drink. Daily 10:00–24:00, bookings online or by phone; there are dedicated offers for groups and private parties.
Large brasserie by the Bourse with around 250 seats inside and art nouveau decor in a listed building from 1874: draught and bottled beers including Trappists, daily 08:00–01:00. The mezzanine gallery can be booked privately for groups.
Heritage café on Rue des Alexiens, the meeting place of the Brussels surrealists around René Magritte: under this name since 1944, with the walls full of drawings, photos and objects. Brussels beers, daily from 10:30 until midnight; the Vrebos and Magritte rooms can be hired by groups.
Large rooftop terrace with a bar on top of the Brucity administrative building, with a view over the city: gin, shots, wines and snacks. Open only in the warmer months until October; book tables and private events for groups via the website.
Brown café on Rue Sainte-Catherine with a terrace on a car-free street: Belgian draught and craft beers and its own billie beer, a pale IPA, plus spaghetti bolognese. Thursdays and Fridays until 01:00; no bookings, groups just turn up.
Bistro and café at the end of Rue Antoine Dansaert, according to the owners a Brussels institution and a meeting place for artists and regulars: a relaxed atmosphere, raw interior, local beer and its own menu. Bookings via the website, just a few steps from Brussels Beer Project.
Traditional beer house since 1877, tucked away in a tiled alley off Rue de Tabora: Timmermans Lambic Doux comes in old stoneware jugs. The wood panelling, stained glass and wrought-iron lamps have barely changed since the late 19th century.
Café-bar on Place Flagey in Ixelles with a big terrace, open from 08:00 to 03:00 on Fridays and Saturdays, otherwise until 02:00. Drinks from hot chocolate to vodka, a range of beers and regular gigs; the meeting point for an evening away from the Old Town.
Taproom of the Brussels craft brewery Brasserie de la Senne on the Tour & Taxis site, about 2.5 km north of the Grand-Place. The Zennebar is open Tuesday to Friday 16:00–23:00, Saturdays from 12:00; BattleKart is on the same site.
Retro-style bar with a dance floor and terrace on Quai au Bois à Brûler: a different party every night, from reggaeton and hip-hop to hits from the '80s, '90s and 2000s. Parties mostly Thursday to Saturday from 22:00, last entry 04:00, closing at 06:00.
Electronic music club in the Marolles with DJs and live acts, mostly on Fridays and Saturdays from 23:00, over-18s only. Dress code dark and comfortable; suits, stilettos and glow-in-the-dark outfits aren't allowed, and phone cameras get taped over, so come as a stag or hen group without fancy dress.
Culture and club venue on Rue du Marché aux Fromages where art and nightlife meet, with a smaller second room: house nights with local and international DJs from 23:00 to 06:00, advance tickets about €12–15, and some parties are over-21s only.
Club and bar with a lounge on Boulevard de Waterloo in the Louise district: urban, hip-hop, R&B, Afrobeats, amapiano, dancehall and house. Open on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays from 00:00 to 06:00; rooms for private parties can be booked all week.
Urban music nightclub on Chaussée de Louvain in Saint-Josse, easy to reach by metro: parties on Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays from 23:00, themed nights such as Classics Lovers or Afrobase. Tickets via external sellers, occasionally improv theatre at 20:00.
Nightclub on Avenue Louise with pink neon light: hip-hop, R&B and electro, with no dress code according to the owners, all that counts is a good mood. The website has a dedicated section for group bookings; Birdy and Escape Hunt aren't far from here.
Interactive beer exhibition in the old stock exchange building: entry €21.50, with a tasting on the tour and a beer of your choice at the rooftop bar, which has around 150 beers. Fridays and Saturdays until 20:30, otherwise until 19:30, last entry 1 hour before closing.
Traditional lambic brewery near Brussels-South station: self-guided tour for €9 with 3 tastings, guided tour on Saturdays for €13. Groups of more than 10 people book a private tour at least 2 weeks ahead, €195 for up to 15 people; closed on Wednesdays, Sundays and public holidays.
Brewery on Rue Antoine Dansaert: the 45-minute Discovery Tour with 4 signature beers for €19 per person, the 2-hour Full Experience with 6 beers for €25, for groups of 12 to 30 people. The barrel cellar can be hired for 25 to 60 people.
Axe throwing with a coach on your own lane on Rue des Alexiens, 60 minutes from €21 per person. The Celebration Pack for stag and hen parties, from 4 people, gets you 1 hour 45 minutes of throwing, a welcome drink, a round of shots, a Polaroid, a decorated lane and a tournament; Fridays and Saturdays until 23:00.
Bomb defusing for 2 to 6 people on Rue Ravenstein by the Mont des Arts: about 1 hour across more than 70 m² with 5 tasks, €28 per person for six, €45 for two. Daily 10:00–24:00, and winners get 20% off at the bar.
Escape rooms near the Grand-Place on Rue Saint-Jean: 3 rooms, including Manneken Pis and Bank Job, each for 2 to 6 players in 60 minutes. The price drops with group size, €32 per person for two, €19 for six; Panic Room is for over-16s only.
Escape rooms on Boulevard de l'Empereur from €25 per player, such as Nautilus for 2 to 6 players in 60 minutes or The School of Wizardry, plus a city rally. Daily 10:00–23:00; the website is in English, French and Dutch.
Escape games in Saint-Gilles near Avenue Louise: €22 per person for six, €37 for two, with an apéro board for €6 per person. For stag and hen parties there's a dedicated Urban Quest game at €17.50 per person; daily 10:00–22:00.
25 bowling lanes with a classic and a disco zone, about 500 m from Central station, plus arcade games, billiards and the Q-Zar laser maze: €7.50 per person per game, groups €45–50 per lane per hour. Fridays and Saturdays until 02:00, then without booking.
12 private karaoke rooms for 3 to 30 people on Rue de la Vierge Noire, bookable as a package for 2, 3 or more hours. Cocktails and snack boards are ordered by tablet straight to the room; closed on Mondays, Fridays and Saturdays until 03:00.
Chocolate museum near Manneken Pis with an audio-guided tour of 60 to 90 minutes. The “Tablette de chocolat” workshop takes 60 minutes plus the museum and can be booked privately for groups of 10 to 25 people; daily 10:00–18:00.
Augmented reality e-karting on 2,000 m² at Tour & Taxis, about 2.3 km north of the Grand-Place: €22 per person per game, about 15 minutes, up to 12 karts. On a stag or hen do, the guest of honour drives free in fancy dress; minimum height 1.45 m.
Landmark of the Expo 58 world's fair in the north of the city, 102 m tall with 9 spheres, exhibitions and a panoramic view. Entry €17, groups of 20 or more €15 if registered 3 weeks ahead, combined ticket with Belgian Beer World €37; daily 10:00–18:00.
Mussels institution on Rue des Bouchers, on this spot since 1893: the first floor, with about 230 seats in nine connected medieval houses, is reserved for groups, with rooms for 14 to 42 people. Group menus from 15 people, open daily.
In the same spot in the Îlot Sacré since 1921, with its own rooms for groups of 15 to 120 people: a pot of mussels with fries costs €32.50–34, mains about €26–62.50. Tuesday to Sunday 12:00–22:30, Mondays only from 18:00.
Brussels brasserie food on Rue des Chartreux near Saint-Géry: stoemp with sausages €17.85, carbonade à la bière €19.45, rabbit in kriek €24.55. Open all day 12:00–24:00, with vegan dishes too; call ahead for groups.
Belgian cooking for more than 40 years on Rue de Flandre near Sainte-Catherine, with fresh mussels as the speciality: Zeeland mussels €25.90–29.90 depending on the broth, stoemp of the day €23. Kitchen 12:00–15:00 and 18:00–22:30, only one bill per table.
Brussels food in a 17th-century vaulted cellar right on the Grand-Place; the name means “the little cellar” in dialect. Daily from 12:00, Fridays and Saturdays until 22:15; groups and private parties get a personal offer.
Fishmonger with a fish bar on Rue Sainte-Catherine: small fish tapas eaten standing on the terrace, ideal as a quick lunch or aperitif before the evening. Tuesday to Sunday 11:00–18:30, closed on Mondays, no bookings.
Ticket for Belgian Beer World in the old stock exchange building: an interactive exhibition on Belgian beer culture, with a beer on the rooftop terrace according to the listing. A good start to the afternoon, with the Saint-Géry bars next door; times are in your booking. From approx. €22 per person.
Guided tasting of Belgian beers in Brussels: according to the listing, several styles from lambic to Trappist, with explanations. The way into your first evening, before heading to the Îlot Sacré; the venue, beers and duration are in your booking. From approx. €41 per person.
Guided beer tour through Brussels with stops at traditional pubs: according to the listing, with background on Belgian beer. For groups who want to roam the Old Town with a guide; the meeting point and tastings are in your booking. From approx. €22 per person.
Visit to a Brussels microbrewery with a distillery: according to the listing, with a beer tasting at the end. A short afternoon activity that combines well with beer pong at the same venue; the address and inclusions are in your booking. From approx. €25 per person.
Beer pong for the group in a microbrewery with a distillery, as a private game according to the listing. The price is per group, from approx. €65; group size, beer and playing time are in your booking. A classic for the stag do, but not only.
Beer hunt through Brussels as a game: according to the listing, with puzzles, stops in the Old Town and 3 tastings. Suits groups who'd rather search for themselves than follow a guide; start, duration and languages are in your booking. From approx. €34 per person.
Waffle workshop with a beer tasting in Brussels: according to the listing, you bake your own waffles and try Belgian beers with them. A relaxed afternoon activity, for a hen party too; the venue and content are in your booking. From approx. €45 per person.
Belgian chocolate making workshop: according to the listing, 2.5 hours, with your own pralines to take home. A classic for a hen do in the city of chocolate; the venue, group size and language are in your booking. From approx. €59 per person.
Axe throwing with craft beer in Brussels: according to the listing, with an introduction and your own lane. The action slot before dinner in the Îlot Sacré; the venue, duration and drinks are in your booking. From approx. €17 per person.
Guided bike tour of the highlights and lesser-known corners of Brussels: according to the listing, about 3.5 hours, bike included. Fresh air for the morning after the first night; the meeting point, route and breaks are in your booking. From approx. €35 per person.
Combined ticket for the Atomium and the Design Museum in the north of the city, as a day ticket according to the listing. For a quiet morning with a view over Brussels; get there by metro, times are in your booking. From approx. €17 per person.
Brewery on Rue Antoine Dansaert: the 45-minute Discovery Tour with 4 signature beers for €19 per person, the 2-hour Full Experience with 6 beers including a lambic for €25 per person, for groups of 12 to 30 people. Cheese and charcuterie board €10 extra.
Traditional lambic brewery near Brussels-South: self-guided tour for €9 with 3 tastings, guided tour on Saturdays for €13. Groups of more than 10 people book a private tour at least 2 weeks ahead, €195 for up to 15 people; closed on Wednesdays, Sundays and public holidays.
The square, about 110 × 68 m, a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1998 and car-free since 1971: the 96 m town hall tower, opposite it the Maison du Roi and 37 guild houses, rebuilt in baroque style after the bombardment of 1695. This is where every group meets for the first photo.
The bronze figure, about 61 cm tall, on Rue de l'Étuve; the fountain holds a copy from 1965, the original is in the City Museum. The little statue has more than 950 costumes, and a selection is on show at the GardeRobe MannekenPis museum a few metres away; opposite is the Taverne Poechenellekelder.
Considered the birthplace of Brussels; in the middle stand the Halles Saint-Géry from 1881, once a vegetable market, now an exhibition space and café. The area is one of the city's hottest nightlife districts, with Fin de Siècle and the bars by the Bourse round the corner.
Terraced garden between the lower and upper town with one of the most popular views over Brussels, of the town hall tower and, on a clear day, as far as the Atomium. Museums and the Royal Library surround it, with Bomb Squad on Rue Ravenstein right next door.
Square in the European Quarter right in front of the European Parliament, known to EU officials as “Plux” and an after-work spot, especially on Thursday and Friday evenings. Wide pavements full of bars and restaurants; laid out from 1855 to 1861 as the forecourt of Luxembourg station.
One of the largest squares in the Brussels region, in Ixelles, dominated by the former broadcasting house, now the Flagey cultural centre. With markets, cafés and the Frit Flagey chip stand; Café Belga is right on the square, and it's a hub for trams and buses.
Guide prices excluding travel, food & accommodation. Check the provider for today's prices.
🗺️ Open route in Google MapsNeighbourhoods
Brussels goes out in five neighbourhoods: cult bars and mussels around the Grand-Place and Îlot Sacré, brasseries by the Bourse, taverns and axe throwing by Manneken Pis, pubs and karaoke in Sainte-Catherine, and clubs in the Marolles and on Avenue Louise.
For a world-record beer cellar, gueuze and mussels
Around the Grand-Place: baroque decor and 40 beers at Roy d'Espagne right on the square, 2,004 types of beer at Delirium in Impasse de la Fidélité, gueuze at À la Mort Subite by the Galeries Royales and mussels for groups upstairs at Chez Léon.
For a beer exhibition, brasseries and stoemp
Around the Bourse: Belgian Beer World with a beer on the rooftop terrace, “Half en Half” at Le Cirio since 1886, around 250 seats at Le Grand Café on Boulevard Anspach, open daily until 01:00, and stoemp and carbonade at Fin de Siècle near Place Saint-Géry.
For a tavern, surrealists and axe throwing
South of the Grand-Place: the Taverne Poechenellekelder right by Manneken Pis, the Choco-Story chocolate museum on Rue de l'Étuve, the surrealists' café La Fleur en Papier Doré and axe throwing with the Celebration Pack at WoodCutter on Rue des Alexiens.
For pubs, retro parties and karaoke
West of the Bourse: the house IPA at the pub billie on Rue Sainte-Catherine, the artists' café Walvis on Rue Antoine Dansaert, retro parties until 06:00 at Madame Moustache on Quai au Bois à Brûler and private karaoke rooms for up to 30 people at KaraFun.
For techno, urban and escape games
South of the Old Town: electronic music at Fuse on Rue Blaes in the Marolles, urban and Afrobeats at Birdy on Boulevard de Waterloo, hip-hop under pink neon at Bloody Louis on Avenue Louise and the Urban Quest for stag and hen parties at Escape Hunt.
Sample itinerary
This is what a weekend that works in Brussels 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 for the group upstairs.
Beer from skull mugs, a minute from the Grand-Place.
2,004 types of beer, Fridays until 04:00.
Retro party until 06:00.
Celebration Pack with a round of shots and a tournament.
Defuse a bomb in 1 hour.
Beer on the rooftop terrace of the Bourse.
Mussels in a room of your own for the group.
Urban and Afrobeats until 06:00.
Gin on the rooftop terrace, in the warmer months.
Brussels food in a vaulted cellar on the Grand-Place.
Gueuze in the oldest café.
House night at the culture club.
Make your own pralines.
Chocolate museum by Manneken Pis.
Zeeland mussels.
Private karaoke room, cocktails by tablet.
Hits from the '80s, '90s and 2000s.
Meet in front of the town hall tower.
Lambic from a stoneware jug.
Stoemp and carbonade.
102 m high, with a panoramic view over the city.
Lambic tour with 3 tastings.
View over the lower town.
Brussels beer in the surrealists' café.
Half en Half in the art nouveau brasserie.
Your group's a bit different? The itinerary generator builds a plan around your group, budget and mood, using the same venues.
Budget
In Brussels, a beer in a pub costs €4.22 on average, at Delirium from €3 for 25 cl, mussels with fries €25.90–34 and an escape room €19–45 per person. Brasseries on the Grand-Place and clubs with advance tickets push the budget up; the €8.50 daily cap for bus and metro and Cantillon for €9 keep it down.
| Option | Per person | What's included |
|---|---|---|
| One night out | €50–110 | mussels in the Îlot Sacré, two beer bars and a club |
| A day with an activity | €90–180 | plus axe throwing, an escape room, BattleKart or Belgian Beer World |
| 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.
In May, a parade through the city centre and the Pride Village on the Mont des Arts, with around 200,000 visitors expected.
At the end of May, 3 days of free jazz on the Grand-Place, Place Sainte-Catherine and at the Bourse, plus in bars and clubs.
In late June or early July, the historical procession with around 1,400 costumed participants and a closing show on the Grand-Place.
Every 2 years in August, a 70 × 24 m carpet of flowers covers the Grand-Place for 4 days.
On the first weekend of September, 3 days of beer festival on the Grand-Place.
From late November to early January, around 5 weeks of Christmas market with 238 chalets, including at the Bourse and in Sainte-Catherine.
The landmark of Expo 58 is 102 m tall, with 9 spheres, each 18 m in diameter, connected by 20 tubes, and more than 800,000 visitors a year. Entry €17, groups of 20 or more €15.
A UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1998, with a town hall tower 96 m high. After the bombardment of 1695 the guilds rebuilt the square in around 4 years; today it's lined by 37 guild houses.
Opened in 1847, 213 m long and 8.3 m wide, with the glass vault 18 m up. Three sections, the Galerie du Roi, de la Reine and des Princes, and À la Mort Subite right next door.
Questions
