Beer and mussels!

[SallyAnne]

There are a couple of us in Sunny Belgie.

Joe Black is in Brussels I think. I am about 1 hour away.

I didnt like living there, but it is OK as a tourist for a couple of days.

How long are you here? Mid week or week end?
What do you want to do while you are here?

Getting there on the Friday morning, and coming back on the Monday.

There are 6 of us going, and we're all the biggest p*ss heads I know, so I'd imagine we really will just spend 4 days sitting in boozers
We've never been away with the other couples before though, so who knows - they might be secret shoppers....or even worse, museum people

[The Lone Gunman]

Getting there on the Friday morning, and coming back on the Monday.

There are 6 of us going, and we're all the biggest p*ss heads I know, so I'd imagine we really will just spend 4 days sitting in boozers
We've never been away with the other couples before though, so who knows - they might be secret shoppers....or even worse, museum people

Grand Place is mostly tourist bars all the sea food restaraunts are down an ally from there. St Catherine has some good eateries. St Gery is where we used to spend a lot of evenings, occasionaly Place Luxembourg after work.
I would suggest staying away from the Bourse area late at night.

[SallyAnne]

I would suggest staying away from the Bourse area late at night.

If I've been drinking all day, chance are I'll be tucked up in bed every night at about 10

I really am a bit of a grandma these day

Cheers for all your tips though LG - and everyone else!

[nucastle]

isn't that what you do best too?

.... yeah, but it aint much cop on your tod, and conversations about ancient belgian history, and having your own history told back to you tend to get a bit samey after a while - bless em (my colleagues).

[TheRightStuff]

If I've been drinking all day, chance are I'll be tucked up in bed every night at about 10

I really am a bit of a grandma these day

Cheers for all your tips though LG - and everyone else!

classey woman. All the way to belgium to stay in a pub drinking and then go to bed at 10am. I could really see you in Eastenders - 'it's family'.

[Gonzo]

I'm off to brussels in a couple of weeks...is it any good?

I would imagine I'll not do much else than sit plonked in a bar, guzzling fruity beer and eating mussles all day (every day)....which I dont imagine will be pretty

Any of you lot been? Someone on here is based there - I just cant remember who.

Can't remember anything good to see there but if you are still on the fags don't forget to stock up while you are there.

[TheFaQQer]

Frite Land down the side of the Bourse does the most fantastic chips.

Looks like a bit of a dive, but the takeaway food is great.

[anally retentive]

i'll back up what someone else said about place st catherine - there are some seriously good restaurants there. the assiettes de fruits de mer are pretty stunning, but be warned, the belgians eat a lot of their seaford virtually raw.

i loved brussels, to be honest. the nightlife isn't very clubby, but the bars in the centre are pretty good, and the locals are really friendly. make sure you get an open-top bus tour on the first day, then you can plan what you want to see more closely.

the architecture around grand place is pretty impressive as well.

[moorgrime]

Brussels

It always saddens me when I hear the negative remarks about Brussels. each to his own I suppose. If you are looking for the pace of London or the chic of Paris, forget it.
Brussels is one of those places that grows on you after a time. I arrived here one cold, damp, foggy November evening and I probably thought the same - Thank Goodness I am only here for 6 months. That was coming up to 8 years ago, I am still here and I adore the place. Bring some stout sensible shoes because the best way to explore is by foot and public transport.
Once you have done the lower part, Grand Place, the Manekin Pis (is that it? I was expecting something bigger) and your task is to find the female equivalent, and all the surrounding streets,Bourse, St Gery, St. Catherine etc move on to the upper town via Mont Des Arts and on passing, marvel at the Art Nouveau building that is now the Museum of Musical Instruments to Place Royale round the corner to the Royal Palace and the Parc de Bruxelles. Carry on past the Palace to Trone, down Rue de Luxembourg towards the great pile that is the European Parliament.
Place Luxembourg is a popular spot for the after workers. Then of course there is Schuman, the Berlaymont and Parc Du Cinquantenaire. So many options.
If you do have a day to spare, hop on a train, the weekend fares are especially cheap and head off for any number of destinations. Bruges is worth one trip if you have not been before, Antwerp is popular with the expat crowd and Gent is underrated and well worth a visit.
Or you could just stay in O' Reillys and get p*ssed.
Don't let some people put you off, it's up to you to enjoy the place.

[PRC1964]

I've never been there, but I remember Fleetwood talking about Avenue Louise (I think). Might not be SA's kind of thing though.