Leuven

Leuven is a city east of Brussels, Belgium, known for its breweries. On a central square is the 15th century town hall, with its tall spires. The building is decorated with hundreds of statues of local figures, biblical characters and saints. Opposite, the late Gothic St. Peter’s Church houses a “Last Supper” by the Flemish Primitive painter Dieric Bouts. Nearby, Oude Markt is a long square and is home to around 40 bars (every building, with the exception of 2 chemists, is a bar or cafe) and in summer their outdoor terraces take over a long continuous section of it. It is for this reason that it has become known locally as the ‘longest bar in Europe’. The city is also very much laid out for the visitor is a friendly welcome, especially for those partial to a sip or three of Belgium's amber nectar. But while Leuven's big corporate brewer – and its Stella, Leffe and Hoegaarden brands – may dominate the bars and cafés, there's plenty else to distract and savour for the beer connoisseur. Updated July 2022

Huisbrouwerij Domus, Tiensestraat 8

Open: Tues - Thurs 11.00 - 14.30 & 17.30 - 22.00 Fri -Sun 11.00 - 22.00

Located just a short walk from the station, just behind St Peters church in the center of Leuven. This city brewpub has a rather large restaurant area where hearty food is served such as omelets, stew, pastas and grilled sandwiches. Rather family styled and food oriented. Customers were clearly not beer geeks. Unfortunately only three of thier beers are available at any one time which seems a bit odd for a brewpub? The beers are a bit like "homebrew" or extract brews? But hey they are "ticks"! The cool thing about this bar is that the brewery is right next to it and that there is a big copper tube that transport the beer across the alley to the bar. A lot of waiters, but rather slow service. They are just hanging around the bar talking to each other. If you’re in Leuven its a brief stop for the tickers just to scoop their beers, nothing more.

Brouwerij de Coureur, Borstelsstraat 20/bus 1

Open: Wed & Fri 15.00 - 21.00 Sat - Sun 12.00 - 21.00 Closed: Mon, Tues & Thurs

The perfect afternoon in Leuven. A very cool cyclist brewery with a small garden area to the rea. If you're looking for a local, extremely friendly, and welcoming brewery, this is it. It has the authentic, rustic charm the stainless steel brew kit is cool and shiny and there are a few large tables to site and sample their beers, it's like the best local tap room. They have 4 different beers on all the time and they all have cycling related names. Some are seasonal so you can visit them many times and they will always have a surprise for you 😉 The owners Bart and Ine are as gracious and friendly hosts as you will come across. Definitely a new brewery to watch and see how they grow.

Anheuser-Busch InBev, Brouwerijplein 1

Open: Tours and Shop

AB Inbevs roots, and the roots of it’s most famous product, Stella Artois, lie in the brewery of Sebastien Artois. In 1708, he became the master brewer of De Hoorn (a brewery that has existed in one form or another since 1366 and is still going strong.) and in 1717, after purchasing the brewery outright, he christened it the Artois Brewery. The founding of Sebastien’s brewing family at Den Horn would culminate, in 1926, with a special Christmas brew named ‘Stella’ because of its clarity. The beer was such a success that it was soon brewed all year long, becoming one of Belgium’s most popular lagers. You can visit the brewery every Saturday and Sunday, and take an interactive tour. (Dutch tours are at 1 pm, English at 3 pm). Tours cost around €8.50 per person. On the tour you'll hear a history of the city, beer culture, and the history of the brewery. The tour continues past their control room and filtration room, and up to a room with a glass wall that overlooks a spacious room with 4 huge parallel brewhouses.  This grid of 20 stainless steel brewing vessels is one of the largest set I've ever seen.  The tour continues past the building which houses their huge multistory steel fermenters, and then to an observation hallway overlooking the packaging line.  It is a sprawling long warehouse room with multiple bottling and canning lines, which run at high speed.  The tour concludes in a hospitality room with a large walk up bar where you can have pours of Stella or its sister brands.  There are plenty of tables and comfortable seating, and an outdoor patio.  It is an informative tour with a nice tasting at the end.

De Blauwe Kater, Mechelsestraat 51

Open: Daily 11.00 - 02.00

A large detached white building with three floors and pavement patio. Inside there is lots of old wooden beams. Small tables and chairs also a smoking room. One of the coolest place around Leuven! Great (live) music, great selection of beers from which you can get a very good recommendation depending on your taste from the helpful and friendly staff. Just overall a very nice atmosphere. 😊

De Metafoor, Parijsstraat 34

Open: Daily 11.00 - 00.00

A small but cosy pub in the city centre near the Oude Markt. A relaxed atmosphere and friendly staff. This bar has easily one of the more interesting beer lists in Leuven, with some real lambics and oddities. They have a classroom map of Belgium hanging over a sofa. A side room and sidewalk tables offer more space. No food, but there are board games.

De Reynaert, Frederik Lintstraat 162

Open: Daily 15.00 - 01.00

A great atmosphere with a mix of students and locals arguing about politics or telling randy jokes, in this cafe bar. The bar area is painted red with a huge blackboard covering most of the wall with the bottle beers list chalked on, and all the different glasses waiting to be filled on shelves underneath, there are also six taps in the bar. The usual small tables and a couple of large tables and some couches which nice for groups of people (in the back). Boards games and bull’s-eye freely available and table football for a fee. Helpful cool staff.

Café Den Brosser, Oude Markt 45

Open: Daily 09.30 - 02.00 or later?

A corner bar with outside seating, located on the cobbled Oude Markt. A cafe where you can sit in a quiet atmosphere, have a good beer and play a good board game. An absolute must in the heart of one of the most amazing student cities in Flanders.

Rotis (De Wiering), Wieringstraat 2

Open: Mon - Thurs 17.00 - 23.00 Fri - SUn 12.00 - 23.00

An amazing little cafe/restaurant tucked away on a side street. Inside it's nicely decorated, an old homely feel to it, lots of wood, eight floors but with a really cosy feel they even have a great roof terrace which is awesome on a lovely day. The beer menu has descriptions and pictures of all the beers, (although all in Flemish) there are approx 95 beers included a mix of Flemish and Wallonian regional’s, a couple of real lambics, most Trappists, and a rotating beer of the month. The service is friendly and efficient and the barman has a lot of knowledge about the beers. The kitchen is a mix of traditional Flemish cuisine and BBQ fusion, the spare ribs and side dishes are just amazing here. Well worth seeking out.

Wereldcafé.Coop, Joris Helleputteplein 2

Open: Tues - Sat 11.00 - 23.00

A lovely and honest establishment. This place is really all about solidarity. They have a good and well explained beer list of approx 30+ bottles, with some lovely charity beers. Also it's important to know that the bartenders are volunteers! They are awesome and serve everyone with a smile. The place is not really fitted for large groups, as its quite small. Quite a modern interior, with wood and bright green paint with black and white prints on the walls. A great setting, quiet and a great place to talk or read with friends or family. There is also a very nice garden in the backyard, a heaven of peace in this busy shopping street. They also offer food or snacks (all Fair Trade). A very relaxed and non commercial honest cafe. Recommended 😊

A couple of the better bottle shops that are worth checking out;

Belgian Beer Shop Leuven, Tiensestraat 31

Open: Tues - Sat 11.00 - 18.00

A great little beer store with a central location. They have a really good selection of lambics, plus have a solid selection of Belgian micros and a bit of foreign stuff as well. The owner is very pleasant to talk to and very helpful, great service.

Prik & Tik Leuven, Aarschotsesteenweg 108

Open: Mon - Sat 09.00 - 18.00

A beer and drinks warehouse on the outskirts of Leuven near the Stella Artois brewery. This specialises in people buying cases of beers but it has a really extensive range of beers with a few rarer things. Nicely laid out and modern it's divided into sections.

Exotic World, Brusselsestraat 139

Open: Daily 07.30 - 20.00

A very odd supermarket, like a night shop mixed with a flee market mixed with an exotic food store. Anyway, the eclectic mix of beers on offer is very unexpected, with stuff like Leffe, Tocalmatto, De Vlier, Fantome next to each other. Probably find a new tick or 2 here and the prices are better than you would expect, but it is far from a beer destination.

Cafe Belge, Oude Markt

Open: Daily 12.00 - 01.00

A run-down cafe on the big square, but the tap list is much more progressive than most bars around, with modern Belgian like Hof ten Dormaal. Prices are very reasonable and the possibility of a tick or 2 since the local beers change regularly. Outdoor service is good and its the best place to sit if you want to see the crowd walk by. Indoor's there are small tables along the bar. Unfortunately you can look into the toilets!

Also of note;

De Rector, Oude Markt 4

Open: Daily 12.00 - 01.00

A modern, stylish interior, not very cozy, disco lights shining in your face, loud club music, tasty food, small beer list.

De Metafoor, Parijsstraat 34

One of the cozier pubs just outside of the old market in Leuven. Good selection of beers as well, more extensive than a regular pub!

Bar Louis, Grote Markt 2
Really good atmosphere, in the centre of Leuven and friendly staff.

Bar Rustic, Oude Markt 50

A very cosy and cool bar. Friendly staff and good prices.

Chapter Four, Monseigneur Ladeuzeplein 31

A hidden gem. Great drinks, great food and lovelty setting. Waiters are so polite also.

Café Rocco, Diestsesteenweg 24

An absolutely wonderful place. As a tourist you will feel at home here and everyone is so friendly. It is outside the centre of Leuven but close to the station. There's a great selection of hot, and cold drinks, beer and spirits.

De Lantaarn, Havenkant 18

One of the last of the traditional bars, a real time warp experience....

Belgaleiro, Goudsbloemstraat 50

Nice friendly bar, good Brazilian snacks and drinks along with usual Belgian fare and beers.

Bar Del Sol, Schapenstraat 105

Bar del Sol is always the place to be. Good environment and ambience are ensured, together with a great combination of beer, latin American's style delicious food and good-mood waiters /waitresses.

Thomas Stapleton, Standonckstraat 4

An authentic Irish pubs? Not like a lot of "plastic paddy pubs" that are popping up everywhere. Really worth a visit.        

De Fiere Margriet, Margarethaplein 11

CLOSED JUNE 2022 !

A great authentic experience, located in the centre of Leuven (on the opposite side to Grote Markt). A small dark and cosy bar over two floors. The Bar of course on the ground floor. Lots of small tables and chairs in a room that seems quite crammed. There is loads of stuff on the walls to look at, hunting trophees, beer signs etc. Wood and brick wallpaper on the first floor. There are 3 taps and a bottle list of over 300 beers. Friendly staff with knowledge about beers. Payment is only cash.