When living in Belgium, there’s a brief window when the sun glistens, temperatures soar and the wind wanes. It is an additional motivation to ascend a rooftop terrace with a panoramic vista for some alfresco socialising. Here’s our round up of some of the best places in Brussels for such a sky-high experience. Rooftop 58 on the ninth floor of Brussels city’s administration centre is the biggest of its kind in Europe. Named after the building’s former iconic car park, it is now a streamlined
space that retains an Art Deco style of yesteryear. The exterior features wide decked terraces and colourful and cosy lounge seating areas. The drinks list is comprehensive, accompanied by a small international food menu, plus brunch on Sundays, and of course, spectacular panoramic views. Rue de l’Eveque 1, open all year round Tipi Cinquantenaire is a guinguette-style pop-up bar perched in a space overlooking the famous city park. Carved out of the covered curved gallery adjacent to the triumphal arch, grand colonnades and wall frescoes
serve as original decor. On the food front, there’s snacks, burgers and a small menu of healthy, locally-sourced dishes. A second Tipi bar is located in Parc de la Pede in Anderlecht and boasts a rural air. Esplanade Cinquantenaire park, Open daily (Etterbeek) You don’t need a ticket to access the Belgian Beer World’s lofty terrace bar in the city-centre Bourse. The entrance fee to The Beerlab in the Bourse does, though, include a free drink as well as a brilliant vista of downtown Brussels.
The former stock exchange converted into a beer-tasting space offers some 150 different brews, including many on draught. Open daily from 16.30-22.00, Place de la Bourse Casa Alta enjoys a Mediterranean air despite its downtown location atop the Grand Casino VIAGE. Its Spanish theme extends beyond the seasonal restaurant’s menu to the decor of the bar and terrace. Listen to a sunny playlist while sampling ceviche, paella, tacos, sharing dishes and platters, and sipping a refreshing drink or cocktail. Daily spring/summer from 17.00, Boulevard Anspach
30 The Royal Library (KBR) is home to one of the city’s finest aerial locations. Rooftop restaurant Albert possesses an extensive rooftop terrace that is home to a hanging garden and parasols where you can try organic and seasonal dishes and local tipples. Not surprisingly, the discreet space is popular for promotional events and it is even more accessible since the installation of a new glass lift earlier this year that also offers city views. Open all year round (subject to weather conditions), Mont des
Arts 28 Sited on the very edge of the capital, Soko Rooftop is one of the greenest summer terraces around. Occupying the 11th floor of the snail building overlooking the Avenue de Tervuren-Ring intersection, it promises a treetop vista of the Soignes Forest. Aperitif platters and tapas will further tempt you to stay a while. Reservation recommended. Open Monday to Saturday from 17.000, Chaussée de Malines 455 (Woluwe-Saint-Pierre) Located atop the capital’s landmark cultural centre, Bozar Rooftop is a pop-up destination for outdoor film screenings,
live music, performances, dance space and afterwork events. Curated by Pali Pali, the free programme features an all-Belgian line-up of local collectives and artists. The scenography this year is titled “The Blue Hour” and reflects the fleeting moment between day and night. 4 June to 20 September, Tuesday to Sunday 16.00-23.00, Rue Ravenstein 23 Beursschouwburg is a buzzing multidisciplinary arts hub all year round. In the summer, an extra draw is its rooftop terrace that provides an alfresco stage for events, parties and concerts, or
simply a place to chill. From June 10, Wednesday to Friday 18.00-1.00; access on Saturday with a nightlife ticket, Rue August Orts City hotels are another location for inspiring views. The Eight Rooftop in the Bedford Hotel is a sophisticated spot to treat yourself to one of the bar’s signature cocktails or a craft beer while enjoying stunning downtown views. The bar menu extends to tasty snacks, sharing platters and other light dishes. Rue du Midi 135, open all year round The Warwick Hotel’s 6th
floor Secret Rooftop is a favourite spot to admire the medieval city-centre while sipping genteelly an aperitif or nightcap. Take your pick from the skyline bar’s good selection of local spirits and classic cocktails. Open daily, Rue Duquesnoy 5 Head to the 30th floor of the Cardo Brussels for rooftop lounge restaurant Akai (main image and above). Offering fusion cuisine embracing Japanese and Mediterranean flavours, it consists of three distinct spaces: bar, lounge, restaurant. all depending on your appetite and mood. Most importantly, take advantage
of its 360° panoramic view and weekend DJ sets. Daily from 18.00, Avenue du Boulevard 14 (Saint-Josse) Occupying the Victoria Tower in the Botanique quarter, The Hoxton Brussels boasts a wraparound roof terrace that is home to Tope, a lively Mexican restaurant, cocktail bar and taqueria on its 22nd floor. The transformation of the brutalist architecture of the 76m building into a stylish hotel is completed by the sky-high bar that draws the crowds to admire the sunset, feast on tacos or Sunday brunch and
enjoy the beats of a resident DJ. Open daily, Square Victoria Regina 1 The appropriately-named Perché Rooftop is the Jam Hotel’s hip bar conveniently open all year round. The cosy spot has a small pool as well as fabulous views; the perfect place to watch the sunset while sipping a perfectly mixed Negroni or another signature cocktail from the summer menu. Finger food snacks also available. Open daily from 17.00, Chaussée de Charleroi 132 (Saint-Gilles) The Roof is a stylish lounge for an afterwork tipple
at the Sofitel Brussels Europe hotel in the EU quarter. Attached to the hotel’s 1040 bar and modern brasserie restaurant, the Mediterrean-inspired space hosts networking events and a Friday evening live DJ session. Open daily during spring/summer, Place Jourdan 1 (Etterbeek) Photos: A kai©Visitbrussels/JP Remy
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