Let’s be honest, we all love the World Cup for one main reason: getting together. Who really enjoys watching their country playing, alone in their bed eating instant noodles? No, the World Cup is about making plans to see your friends and go experience the (inter)national frenzy out there.
So we selected the “crème de la crème” of places where you can watch the games, eat and have drinks during the World Cup! No more excuses.
For an authentic Irish experience: o’ reilly’s
There’s nothing quite like watching a football match in an Irish pub. Smack in the center of Brussels, o’ reilly’s is the place to be when teams from across the globe take center stage and face off on the pitch.
With plenty of food to choose from, and more than enough beers (both bottled, canned, and on tap), this place really has everything covered when it comes to enjoying a good game of football. Not to mention the crowd energy is unmatched.
Place de la bourse, 1000 Brussels
Open terrace with tons of options: de Valera’s
Perhaps the hottest corner spot in Place Flagey, de Valera’s boasts a lively ambiance whenever you visit. This holds true for the World Cup as well, and you’re sure to thoroughly enjoy staying for a match or two, regardless of whether your team wins or not.
Hot drinks, cold drinks, draught beers, tonics, ciders, wines, beers, cocktails and more. Quench your thirst with their incredibly comprehensive menu, and stick around for some mozzarella sticks, cheesy nachos, or perhaps some fish and chips. No matter the occasion, you can’t go wrong by swinging by this cozy Irish pub set in the charming neighborhood of Place Flagey. And, if you feel like keeping the party moving, there are plenty of options to choose from nearby.
For the comfy atmosphere: Cafe Flora
Cafe Flora is the new hype place in Brussels. Designed by the talented Lionel Jadot, it might as well be one of the hippest bars of the city.
Housed in a beautiful abandoned theater on the Parvis de Saint-Gilles, Cafe Flora will most probably become the trendiest place to watch your beloved football.
On the food and drinks side, a wide selection of beers from all around the world will be available, as well as finger food. And once the match ends, the place turns into a big party. What else?
Cafe Flora, 18 Parvis de Saint-Gilles, 1060 Saint-Gilles.
For beer nerds: The Korner
Looking for a place to watch the World Cup with cocktails and food to share with your friends? The Korner, in Ixelles, will have big screens set up for the duration of the tournament and, on sunny days, it will be on their huge and sunny terrace.
On the food and drinks side, The Korner really changes from the usual sports bar. Of course they have beer, but their entire menu gravitates around the same theme: Belgium. Their “Kornets” of “boulettes à la liégeoise” (the best meatballs ever), vegetables tempura or Belgian fries and their beer-based “Kocktails” are a match made in heaven.
The Korner, 1 avenue de l’université, 1050 Ixelles.
For a classier experience: Steigenberger Wiltcher’s
Not a fan of the hectic atmosphere of your neighborhood cafe? Don’t want to invite all your friends’ friends in your living room? There’s a third option: the Steigenberger Wiltcher’s hotel on avenue Louise will broadcast all the major games of the World Cup. The big plus: you’ll get to choose between three atmospheres:
Fan zone atmosphere: standing in the hotel courtyard, stadium vibe and no fuss! Tribune atmosphere: comfortably seated on the terrace with a beautiful view on the hotel courtyard and screens.
VIP atmosphere: in private areas, with your own screen but also with a view on the courtyard.
Steigenberger Wiltcher’s, 71 avenue Louise, 1050 Bruxelles. Info and reservation: +32 2 542 48 37.
For a fun, friendly vibe: Café Caberdouche
Looking for a lively atmosphere to properly celebrate the
The four friends who opened Café Caberdouche want to make it a welcoming place no matter the time of the day and the day of the week. For the World Cup, the café will broadcast matches every day in a warm atmosphere and in good company! Oh, and their terrace is amazing.
Café Caberdouche, 8 Place de la Liberté, 1000 Brussels.
For the garden party crew: Terrasse O2
The Terrasse O2 has been open every Spring-Summer for a few years now and welcomes all types of people onto their amazing terrace.
A good cocktail, an idyllic setting in the middle of nature and the matches on a big screen. What more could one ask for? Well, a food corner offering Belgian fries to satisfy your appetite during the games.
Terrasse O2, 51-53 chaussée de la Hulpe, 1180 Uccle.
More info on their Facebook page.
For the typical Brussels atmosphere: Bar Copain
If you’re looking for a pure “brusseleir” atmosphere, Schaerbeek is THE neighborhood to go to for watching the games. And more precisely at the bar Copain. Here, the friendliness of the staff and the quality of what is served, whether it’s food or drinks, make the difference. Oh and “copain” means “friend”, that says it all.
Bar Copain, avenue Rogier 262, 1030 Schaerbeek.
Info on their Facebook page.
Bonus for the frenzy: on a communal square
This year, no big screen on the squares of the center of Brussels for security reasons. However, some surrounding municipalities will have a giant screen set up for the Red Devils’ games! A general piece of advice: avoid taking a bag with you, or keep a very small one.
Place Reine Astrid à Jette
Place Pinoy à Auderghem
Place Dumon à Stockel
Place Payfa-Fosseprez à Watermael-Boitsfort
