Tavernes and regular pubs, Antwerp

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Despite it's faded appearance Bier Central is actually a relatively recent addition to the Antwerp pub scene and despite some negative reviews I kinda liked the place.

This is a cavernous building which is obviously aimed to try and capture as wide a market as possible and offers something for everyone. Because of its proximity to my hotel I found myself dropping in at various times of the day and even continued my little VT meet with Kirsti (Kshezz) and Ad one evening. Sitting at the bar, service was always prompt, the beers dispensed in the correct glasses and price-wise, although slightly expensive, weren't too outrageous.

The couple of times I popped in during the day my beers were always accompanied by a bowl of interesting nutty things which was refreshed with each subsequent beer and so made for an ideal stop-off for an afternoon snack.

This is a place we stopped off for a drink ( or two or three) with JohnGayton on our mini-meet ..normally we would never have noticed this place as I dont drink at all and Add does not drink beer...but despite the name of the place there are plenty of other drinks on offer.

The decor is kind of traditional /old fashioned and rustic (ish) and distictly brewery themed (do go down to the cellar and take a look as well)...the service was freindly and efficient we sat at the bar itself with a good view all round and there are plenty of small TV screens to keep you entertained or keep you wondering whet the heck you thought you just saw...

This place has over 300 sorts of beer on offer and theres an 'encyplopeadia" to read to help you make informed chpices and 20 beers on tap which are listed on a blackboard behind the bar...if you cant pronounce the one you want just ask for the number of it! easy!

Dress Code: Come as you are!

The Irish Times pub was established in on 26th July 1996.The idea behind it was to bring to Antwerp a traditional Irish Public House,in which it could offer its clients the best in sporting events and live music from Irish and International artists every friday and saturday night.There is always a loud and lively atmosphere here and the live bands play on till the late hours at weekends.Open from 2pm till late.food served daily.
There are two other Irish Times pub's in Belgium,located in Charleroi and Hasselt.

Dress Code: Casual.

I walked and drove by this place many times, always thinking to myself that it looked like a good place. I called some of my local friends for a night out and suggested this place, each one replied that it was a great place and one of their favorites.

The atmosphere is very relaxed, with plenty of tables and sitting area. If there was music, it was soft enough that we could not hear it over out regular voices. There is both indoor and outdoor seating. They do offer good food, but they are simple hearty local dishes.

You come here for the ability to have conversations and try the beers. They have one of the best selections in the city. There are more than a dozen on tap and several dozen more to choose from in the bottle.

Dress Code: The dress code is very casual.

This bar has a nice interior design, full of old, nostalgic posters.
You can pop in for a snack as well, though I never tried one.
All kinds of people you find here. Just a great, quiet spot to have a chat!

Dress Code: God! Please be yourself....

This pub is the Antwerp's best kept secret. Fortunately, Rudy (diamonddog) can't keep secrets and showed this bar to a few VTers that wanted to drink and didn't feel like walking around the city for the 10th time.
Het Zand is a tiny pub that serves pretty good Guiness beer, it is locatef right across from the famous tunnel which takes you all the way accross the river. If you're lucky you may find an empty table at this bar, although usually it is really packed with people, especially late in the evening.

With all the delicious beer Belgium produces there is still place for an irish pub. The taste of Ireland is located at ´t Zand. They serve the real irish beers like Guiness, Kilkenny and Murphys.
It is always crowded in this pub, so it seems there is a market for this beer, and that is not surprising with the good taste.

Drinking between Maria, Saint Gertrude and Sainte Helene, it is possible in the pub Het Elfde Gebod. At the left side, behind the big Cathedral you can find this pub full of Sacred statues. It is really worth a visit!

' t Pakhuis, meaning the warehouse, is located in a building dating back to 1850. It was a warehouse near the port in the South of Antwerp, until this port was closed in the middle of the last century. In 1996 it was transformed into the House Brewery ' t Pakhuis, the first and the only house brewery in Antwerp.

What to drink here ?

Nen Bangelijke (A frightning one), the proud piece of the brewery is a lightly ambercoloured beer of 9,5% alc.vol.

This little Swiss style tavern is situated at the edge of the shopping area "De Wilde Zee" (The Wild Sea). Though very tiny with its eight tables and a few stools at the bar , like a genuin Swiss mountain cabin it is very cosy. The service is friendly enough. Due its situation it is a good place for a stop over when one is shopping in the nearby streets. The prices are democratic (three sorts of champagne, respectively of 40,50 and 65 ? are the most expensive) and the range of things to eat and drink is ample. The menu is adorned with several photos of the famous mountain and some explanations about its history. In the tavern itself a few photos adorn the walls.