So you've succeeded in landing a date with your crush but now you need a good venue. First impressions are important and setting the scene can be key to making sure things go smoothly. Crowded, noisy bars are best avoided – small talk loses its charm at 100 decibels.
Of course, the venue isn't everything and a lot comes down to how you and your date get on. But if you're wondering where to go and break the ice, here are a few suggestions to keep things fun.
Bars
A bit of social lubricant in a place with a good atmosphere can is a good place to start the meeting. Brussels has no shortage of bars but excess of choices can be overwhelming. Fear not, we've selected a few trendy spots that will provide the perfect ambiance.
Playing it safe: Au Bassin
Credit: Au Bassin
At first glance, Au Bassin is the least intimate setting in our selection. But the bar has key benefits for a good first date: there's almost always a table free and crucially, it's a bar that's always filled with people so will reduce the risk of any awkward silences. If your date likes beer, you've hit jackpot thanks to the large selection of beers from small Brussels breweries.
In addition, its location on Place Sainte-Catherine means that you can easily relocate to other bars or restaurants in the area.
Ideal for: the Tinder date you don't know very well but feel there's potential.
Where: Quai aux Briques 74, 1000 Brussels.
Keeping it classy: Rebel wine bar
Credit: Rebel wine bar
Rebel is a great bar for natural wines and offers tasty snacks in a cosy atmosphere.
Ideal for: when you want to impress with your knowledge of wine.
Where: 48 Rue Lesbroussart, Brussels, 1050.
Cocktails: Life is Beautiful
Credit: Life is Beautiful
A warm cocktail bar with plenty of atmosphere, spirits, homemade finger food, Belgian beers, and nice wine. The candlelit surroundings set the tone for you to loosen up in downtown Brussels.
Ideal for: a relaxed cocktail bar means you're unlikely to get too hammered. Keeping it casual on a first date is nice but a cocktail bar is a definite step up from a dive bar. Its central location means there are loads of other spots closeby if you don't fancy cocktails all night.
Where: Rue Antoine Dansaert 161, 1000 Bruxelles.
An artsy vibe
Credit: Canva
Museums: Magritte Museum
Brussels has many museums but for the quintessential Belgian artist, look no further than the home of René Magritte. Topics of conversation might involve pondering surrealism and asking what a pipe really is.
Ideal for: the date who loves art and culture.
Where: Pl. Royale 1, 1000 Bruxelles.
Bookshops: Waterstones
Ever had a date in a bookshop? Us neither but if we did decide to go for something a bit more high-brow, where else than Belgium's largest English language bookshop? Get literary over a coffee in the bookshop's café.
Ideal for: something a bit different that will give you an insight into your date's preferred styles and sensibilities.
Where: Bd Adolphe Max 71/75, 1000 Bruxelles.
Winter
Credit: Le Bar à Jeux
Game bars
If you want to get creative, game bars bring a competitive element to drinks, especially in the winter season. Keep the conversation going with an engaging activity, though careful not to get too serious...
Ideal for: if you're looking for a fun challenge.
Where: La Luck, Rue Washington 74, 1050 Ixelles or Le Bar à Jeux, Chau. d'Alsemberg 136, 1060 Saint-Gilles
Coffee shops
Or coffee. Credit: Brussels Kitchen
A warm cup of joe is a safe bet if you're just testing the water. Our selection of cafés offers quality coffee, tasty snacks, and good vibes.
Ideal for: when you haven't chatted much and just need 30 minutes to suss each other out.
Where: Check out our guide to some of the best coffee shops in Brussels.
Summer
Credit: Le Flore
Le Flore
Warm sunny days aren't so frequent in Brussels so when the conditions allow you should really make the most of it. Take a future sweetheart to a tranquil oasis when the weather gets good. Le Flore is situated in Bois de la Cambre and provides a chic post-work bar in the capital's biggest park. The green terrace is perfect for warm evenings and a retro-futurist interior can be a refuge in case the heavens open. Le Flore serves refreshing cocktails, beers and various other beverages.
Ideal for: having a drink outside but staying in Brussels.
Where: Avenue de Flore 3/4, 1000 Brussels.
Picnic
Parc de Forest. Credit: The Brussels Times
Parks are quiet and offer a romantic setting that allows you to get to know your date better. Picnics provide a chance to impress though require a bit more effort than standard drinks. But you get to bring whatever you feel like and it's not expensive.
Ideal for: nature lovers.
Where: check out our guide to the best parks in Brussels.
Sporty
Axe throwing
Credit: Woodcutter / Tripadvisor
If you're looking for something adventurous, this is the activity for you. Escape the daily stress by hurling axes at a wooden target with a drink or two.
Ideal for: a bonding activity that's more than just drinks.
Where: Woodcutter, Urban Axe Throwing, Rue des Alexiens 37, 1000 Bruxelles.
Bouldering
Credit: Le Camp de Base
Bouldering is a great activity to get to know a date. It doesn't cost much and is a pleasant alternative if you're not drinking.
Ideal for: something physical.
Where: Le Camp de Base, Chau. de Boondael 210C.
Bowling
Credit: Crosly Bowling
Let's face it, most of us are bad at bowling but it's a cute way to bond over a lowkey activity and a few drinks.
Ideal for: those looking for something other than drinks or coffee.
Where: Crosly Bowling, Bd de l'Empereur 36, 1000 Bruxelles.
