Brussels Summer Festival

[aazak]

Never been to Brussels, but thinking of going for the Friday night gig (17/08/18) of the summer festival. If we do it will probably have to be a stupid short visit - fly in Friday afternoon and back on Saturday morning. Any locals (@Armel?) or people that have been there got any advice? Have any of ye gone to previous years festivals?

 

[evertondotcom]

Bar Delirium.

 

[Deleted member 48881]

I ve been to Brussels in 2012 during my Interrail trip, one of the most boring European capital it was for me. Too dull.

But have fun of course mate.

 

[evertondotcom]

I ve been to Brussels in 2012 during my Interrail trip, one of the most boring European capital it was for me. Too dull.

But have fun of course mate.

I went interrailing the same year - we absolutely loved Brussels.

 

[Armel]

I really like Brussels. Studied there for a year.

Never been to said festival, but if you like the line-up go for it I'd say (dEUS is nice). The problem is your visit is quite short and I don't know what kind of things you like. You'll have to plan ahead. If you want to see the European quarter (basically one of the biggest parts of the city); you can visit the European Parliament etc ... Or if you want to just get drunk or something you can also do that; loads of bars ... Dansaertstraat etc...

The problem you'll probably have is that Brussels is a bit of town where you have to know where to be (and where not). Gent is easier; 30 minutes train ride from there. You just walk around and everything is easy to find etc... They also have a festival; Gentse feesten 13/07 - 22/07.

 

[Seathestars]

I love sprouts

 

[aazak]

I really like Brussels. Studied there for a year.

Never been to said festival, but if you like the line-up go for it I'd say (dEUS is nice). The problem is your visit is quite short and I don't know what kind of things you like. You'll have to plan ahead. If you want to see the European quarter (basically one of the biggest parts of the city); you can visit the European Parliament etc ... Or if you want to just get drunk or something you can also do that; loads of bars ... Dansaertstraat etc...

The problem you'll probably have is that Brussels is a bit of town where you have to know where to be (and where not). Gent is easier; 30 minutes train ride from there. You just walk around and everything is easy to find etc... They also have a festival; Gentse feesten 13/07 - 22/07.

Thanks Armel. If we go it would definitely be to Brussels and for that day (the whole purpose is to see dEUS). Unfortunately won't be able to leave home for long so it would either be straight back Saturday early, or possibly stay Saturday night too and leave around noon on Sunday.
We would be flying in to the city airport and would ideally like to find somewhere to stay that is close to where the gig is on and walk back there after. The organisers can't confirm if the venue is Mont des Arts or Place des Palais yet, though. Ideally
It's not an easy question to answer, but any thoughts on a good place to stay? Probably looking at approx euro90 a night for a room for 2 people.
I don't really drink anymore (funnily enough I was plastered the last time I saw dEUS though). Whatever day we go back we won't have much time for sightseeing so we'd probably just wander around the area we stay in.

 

[Armel]

Thanks Armel. If we go it would definitely be to Brussels and for that day (the whole purpose is to see dEUS). Unfortunately won't be able to leave home for long so it would either be straight back Saturday early, or possibly stay Saturday night too and leave around noon on Sunday.
We would be flying in to the city airport and would ideally like to find somewhere to stay that is close to where the gig is on and walk back there after. The organisers can't confirm if the venue is Mont des Arts or Place des Palais yet, though. Ideally
It's not an easy question to answer, but any thoughts on a good place to stay? Probably looking at approx euro90 a night for a room for 2 people.
I don't really drink anymore (funnily enough I was plastered the last time I saw dEUS though). Whatever day we go back we won't have much time for sightseeing so we'd probably just wander around the area we stay in.

I looked it up for you. The festival is spread over those two locations, but if you're specifically going for dEUS they are performing on the Paleizenplein (Place des Palais; says here: http://bsf.be/nl/artiste/deus). It's not a big issue btw; it's only a 500 meter walk from the one to the other location. If you're from London, you could take the Eurostar btw, it's cheap and fast (if you book in advance; no long waits etc...) + it arrives in the middle of Brussels, very close from where you have to go. I like it.

I had a quick look of the hotels in that area. Problem is around there it's expensive. Not really an issue unless you plan on spending the whole day in your room.

So booking.com gives this; this hotel is very close: https://www.booking.com/hotel/be/ad...522871083;srpvid=09808a497f54023d;type=total&

or 69 € if you book here:

https://www.expedia.be/Brussels-Hot...nid=201035497_24&trv_dp=69&rm1=a2&paandi=true

(It has a high score; I haven't stayed there obviously since I live 30 minutes away by car). It's close to where you want to be. Problem is it's in the European quarter and there's not a lot there, especially during the weekend. Most interesting things are +- 1 Km away. It's not far from Brussel-Luxemburg though (train station).

This one is four stars and 85 euro it's a special deal apparently and you get breakfast.

https://www.amoma.com/hotel.php?key...NDozNFo=&reqsource=2&clickThroughId=801928579

It's a bit further from the dEUS event though. And further from the centre. It's close to a train-station and next to the subway. Oh and you can see the European parliament from there.

Or this one. You'll have to walk 1 K though if you want to reach the Paleizenplein.

https://www.booking.com/hotel/be/al...0ca78cfbf84e0409;type=total;ucfs=1&#hotelTmpl

Bit like this one; but that's 75:

https://www.booking.com/hotel/be/th...522870893;srpvid=09808a497f54023d;type=total&


I'd probably choose the 4 star hotel tbh. I quite like the pictures.

 

[witchdoc187]

I ve been to Brussels in 2012 during my Interrail trip, one of the most boring European capital it was for me. Too dull.

But have fun of course mate.

Exactly what i say about brussels

 

[aazak]

I looked it up for you. The festival is spread over those two locations, but if you're specifically going for dEUS they are performing on the Paleizenplein (Place des Palais; says here: http://bsf.be/nl/artiste/deus). It's not a big issue btw; it's only a 500 meter walk from the one to the other location. If you're from London, you could take the Eurostar btw, it's cheap and fast (if you book in advance; no long waits etc...) + it arrives in the middle of Brussels, very close from where you have to go. I like it.

I had a quick look of the hotels in that area. Problem is around there it's expensive. Not really an issue unless you plan on spending the whole day in your room.

So booking.com gives this; this hotel is very close: https://www.booking.com/hotel/be/adagio-access-bruxelles-europe.nl.html?aid=304142;label=gen173nr-1DCAEoggJCAlhYSDNYBGgViAEBmAEcwgEKd2luZG93cyAxMMgBD9gBA-gBAZICAXmoAgM;sid=f325f4e39120e2cbb3d4a0d9b4c56e5f;atlas_src=sr_iw_title;checkin=2018-08-17;checkout=2018-08-18;dist=0;group_adults=2;nflt=pri=1;pri=2;;room1=A,A;sb_price_type=total;srepoch=1522871083;srpvid=09808a497f54023d;type=total&

or 69 € if you book here:

https://www.expedia.be/Brussels-Hot...nid=201035497_24&trv_dp=69&rm1=a2&paandi=true

(It has a high score; I haven't stayed there obviously since I live 30 minutes away by car). It's close to where you want to be. Problem is it's in the European quarter and there's not a lot there, especially during the weekend. Most interesting things are +- 1 Km away. It's not far from Brussel-Luxemburg though (train station).

This one is four stars and 85 euro it's a special deal apparently and you get breakfast.

https://www.amoma.com/hotel.php?key=201808172018081812050000005000000500001111178&id=95034&referer=06658traHty5C_be&curid=EUR&langid=9&sessionKey=LSEtTzQrNkh5VThkREUvVDhZcE5laThKN3llN3hlTGxxTU9FZ2RXcHBYY2VxZ1J5bGZabnVlc3NGWWVBMWFsNzZpbGZ0T2lwRTdmTVhvYjBSTHR3cVpJZCtSKzI4TStnVjBF&bids=RG6WFjZ6N2Q&TrivagTS=MjAxOC0wNC0wNFQyMDoxNDozNFo=&reqsource=2&clickThroughId=801928579

It's a bit further from the dEUS event though. And further from the centre. It's close to a train-station and next to the subway. Oh and you can see the European parliament from there.

Or this one. You'll have to walk 1 K though if you want to reach the Paleizenplein.

https://www.booking.com/hotel/be/alma-grand-place.nl.html?aid=345947;label=metatrivago-hotel-20633_xqdz-86b98f9e66293e0c8228ae82541e078a_los-1_nrm-1_gstadt-2_gstkid-0_curr-eur_lang-nl;sid=f325f4e39120e2cbb3d4a0d9b4c56e5f;all_sr_blocks=2063302_95145282_2_1_0;bshb=2;checkin=2018-08-17;checkout=2018-08-18;dest_id=-1955538;dest_type=city;dist=0;group_adults=2;hapos=1;highlighted_blocks=2063302_95145282_2_1_0;hpos=1;room1=A,A;sb_price_type=total;show_room=2063302_95145282_2_1_0;srepoch=1522872184;srfid=69be991f132503b10b5a37b58d2e02f7e9f0c84fX1;srpvid=0ca78cfbf84e0409;type=total;ucfs=1&#hotelTmpl

Bit like this one; but that's 75:

https://www.booking.com/hotel/be/the-moon.nl.html?aid=304142;label=gen173nr-1DCAEoggJCAlhYSDNYBGgViAEBmAEcwgEKd2luZG93cyAxMMgBD9gBA-gBAZICAXmoAgM;sid=f325f4e39120e2cbb3d4a0d9b4c56e5f;atlas_src=sr_iw_title;checkin=2018-08-17;checkout=2018-08-18;dist=0;group_adults=2;nflt=pri=1;pri=2;;room1=A,A;sb_price_type=total;srepoch=1522870893;srpvid=09808a497f54023d;type=total&


I'd probably choose the 4 star hotel tbh. I quite like the pictures.

Thanks Armel, that's above and beyond (and very much appreciated)

 

[COYBL25]

I really like Brussels. Studied there for a year.

Never been to said festival, but if you like the line-up go for it I'd say (dEUS is nice). The problem is your visit is quite short and I don't know what kind of things you like. You'll have to plan ahead. If you want to see the European quarter (basically one of the biggest parts of the city); you can visit the European Parliament etc ... Or if you want to just get drunk or something you can also do that; loads of bars ... Dansaertstraat etc...

The problem you'll probably have is that Brussels is a bit of town where you have to know where to be (and where not). Gent is easier; 30 minutes train ride from there. You just walk around and everything is easy to find etc... They also have a festival; Gentse feesten 13/07 - 22/07.

I`m proud to say on behalf of Ingerland, I`ve swam that canal in an impromptu drunken European Swimming Championships :

Participants :

Ingerland.
Ireland.
Belgium
Holland.
France.
Turkey.

The object of the race was to get to the other side and back without drowning.

The Turkish lad had to be rescued, all cheered on by the crowds

 

[COYBL25]

Thanks Armel, that's above and beyond (and very much appreciated)

Brussels is a great place mate, you just have to know the right places to go to, all of which @Armel has outlined for you.

It`s really easy to get around too, as the trains are frequent, clean and cheap.

One thing though, is that there are some seriously dodgy areas that you don`t want to be in after dark.

@Armel can you help out, as I can`t remember the names of these areas ?

 

[jtl60]

I like Brussels, been a few times and had some good nights out. Its like an upmarket Amsterdam.

 

[Brendan Janus]

We had a massive firm when we played Anderlecht in a preseason friendly back in August 2002 !

 

[Armel]

Brussels is a great place mate, you just have to know the right places to go to, all of which @Armel has outlined for you.

It`s really easy to get around too, as the trains are frequent, clean and cheap.

One thing though, is that there are some seriously dodgy areas that you don`t want to be in after dark.

@Armel can you help out, as I can`t remember the names of these areas ?

It's all relative tbf.

To be on the very safe side, if you don't know following locations, you're better not going there. Like Schaarbeek, probably best to avoid if you don't know where you're going, although there are some very good bars there. Molenbeek has a bad rep because of some of the jihadi's, the reality is that they are/were concentrated in about three streets and the rest is very good (quite expensive even; like between Ribeaucourt and Belgica). Kuregem, that's the one place I would seriously avoid, there's nothing there and those who are there aren't friendly. If you're a bit squeamish you're probably also best to avoid Port de Namur (not very far from where he'll be staying), it's the intersection of one of the richest areas of Brussels; Louiza (don't go there, full of very expensive fashion boutiques, unless you like that ofc) and Matonge (one of the poorest) where loads of people hailing from Congo live. It's not dangerous, it's exotic, but it's also full of black men who want to sell you weed. They are harmless though and quite friendly ... Oh and probably Sint-Joost-Ten Node; basically the streets behind the Brussel-Noord station; basically entire streets full of Eastern-European prostitutes behind windows.

The above areas are actually small areas of Brussels. If you don't know where you're going you're probably best to avoid the subway at night, since sometimes it's a bit difficult (you have to switch etc...), and you don't want to end up at the Kuregem stop (it's far from where he'll be staying though). My favourite area is around the Place de la Bourse and the Kartuizerstraat and so. Avoid eating in the tourist traps like the Rue de bouchers; it's expensive, very crowded and the food is substandard. Go somewhere else. Plenty of good food around.

Think this covers it.