Brussels designer Frédéric Nicolay created the relaxed Bar du Matin on the busy Chaussée d’Alsemberg in Forest commune.
He revamped an old corner bar dating from 1900 to create a spacious bar with sober furniture, big windows and a curved bar. He then added a curving ceiling inspired by the Spanish artist Miro.
Like many of Nicolay’s bars, the Bar Du Matin transformed a scruffy corner site into a smart place to hang out. There are live concerts during the week and DJ sessions at the weekend.
Derek Blyth’s hidden secret of the day: Derek Blyth is the author of the bestselling “The 500 Hidden Secrets of Belgium”. He picks out one of his favourite hidden secrets for The Brussels Times every day.