I know this is a long time, overdue, but unfortunately life sometimes gets in the way. But here it is! The best bars in Leuven, in my humble opinion.
Where to drink in Leuven is essential to know. Whether you want to stop at a cafe during the day for a coffee, or find a spot for an after dinner drink or the best place for the evening, Leuven has uncountable options. Thankfully, there are few truly bad options. I've stumbled into a few bars that I'm not as crazy about for various reason... dirty bathrooms, slow service, limited menus. But in a pinch they'll do the job. Below though I'll run through my favorites.
Leuven also has "the longest bar in the world", the Oude Markt (Old Market in English). This is lined on both sides with bars and in the summer when the weather is nice, the best bar is simply the one that still has seats outside. You can tell which ab you're at based on the tables in chairs, each will have a different style than the bar next door.
Ah, and for my American friends, you'll enjoy this...most of the bars don't close. There is no 2 am last call. They seem to just close when they're empty. But seeing people (mostly students) stumbling home at 6 am is not uncommon.
Bars:
1. Metafoor
This bar is located at Parijstraat 34, just behind the Oude Markt. It's a bit more spacious than a lot of the bars and has a good drink selection. Also, if your party has smokers, there is an indoor, closed smoking room. I'm not a smoker, and really can't stand cigarette smoke, but this room has never bothered me, the smoke doesn't escape and you don't notice it much.
2. Fiere Margriet
Ah now, this is a fun bar. It's small though so you need to get there at the right time to get a table. There is a little standing room at the bar. In all the times I have been there, I have never seen the place empty. When you go in you'll find binders on the tables full of hundreds of Belgian beers. You'll find ones you know, ones you've never heard of. It's always fun to try something new though. The options are plentiful and delicious.
3. De Rector
You'll find this when you enter the Oude Markt on your left side (when you enter from the direction of the Groote Markt). It's one of the bigger bars on the Oude Markt. It's great for big groups for an afternoon drink and they have a lot of space outside as well, so it's normally possible to find a table. Their food isn't bad either for a snack. At night they usually have a DJ and inside gets pretty loud, so if you're looking for music it's a good spot, if you want to talk with friends, it's better to relocate somewhere quieter after a certain hour.
4. Seven Oaks
Every town needs to have "that" bar. The one that nights end at and it's normally a bit of a slop show by the time you arrive, not necessarily for you, but at least for everyone else. ;) In Leuven, that is the Seven Oaks. Thursday nights it's packed, but sometimes not until 1 am. There is normally music and crazy drinking game involving a tree stump, hammers and nails. You'll find it at Hanengan 3, a small street off Tiensestraat.
5. The Professor
It's a great cocktail bar. If you want something besides beer and want lots of delicious options. This is a good spot. It's right on Naamsestraat, near the Oude Markt. They also have tasty alcoholic milkshakes.
6. Stapletons
A quintessential Irish pub. It's just off Naamsestraat, two doors down from Namaste, the Nepalese restaurant. It's a great place to go watch sports, with TVs all around. It'll usually show all the big football (soccer) games and rugby. That's what I've seen there at least, I'm sure you'll find other things as well. And it's a good place for a pint of Guinness.
Where to drink in Leuven is essential to know. Whether you want to stop at a cafe during the day for a coffee, or find a spot for an after dinner drink or the best place for the evening, Leuven has uncountable options. Thankfully, there are few truly bad options. I've stumbled into a few bars that I'm not as crazy about for various reason... dirty bathrooms, slow service, limited menus. But in a pinch they'll do the job. Below though I'll run through my favorites.
Leuven also has "the longest bar in the world", the Oude Markt (Old Market in English). This is lined on both sides with bars and in the summer when the weather is nice, the best bar is simply the one that still has seats outside. You can tell which ab you're at based on the tables in chairs, each will have a different style than the bar next door.
Oude Markt
(Photo Credit: Me)
Ah, and for my American friends, you'll enjoy this...most of the bars don't close. There is no 2 am last call. They seem to just close when they're empty. But seeing people (mostly students) stumbling home at 6 am is not uncommon.
Bars:
1. Metafoor
This bar is located at Parijstraat 34, just behind the Oude Markt. It's a bit more spacious than a lot of the bars and has a good drink selection. Also, if your party has smokers, there is an indoor, closed smoking room. I'm not a smoker, and really can't stand cigarette smoke, but this room has never bothered me, the smoke doesn't escape and you don't notice it much.
2. Fiere Margriet
Ah now, this is a fun bar. It's small though so you need to get there at the right time to get a table. There is a little standing room at the bar. In all the times I have been there, I have never seen the place empty. When you go in you'll find binders on the tables full of hundreds of Belgian beers. You'll find ones you know, ones you've never heard of. It's always fun to try something new though. The options are plentiful and delicious.
3. De Rector
You'll find this when you enter the Oude Markt on your left side (when you enter from the direction of the Groote Markt). It's one of the bigger bars on the Oude Markt. It's great for big groups for an afternoon drink and they have a lot of space outside as well, so it's normally possible to find a table. Their food isn't bad either for a snack. At night they usually have a DJ and inside gets pretty loud, so if you're looking for music it's a good spot, if you want to talk with friends, it's better to relocate somewhere quieter after a certain hour.
4. Seven Oaks
Every town needs to have "that" bar. The one that nights end at and it's normally a bit of a slop show by the time you arrive, not necessarily for you, but at least for everyone else. ;) In Leuven, that is the Seven Oaks. Thursday nights it's packed, but sometimes not until 1 am. There is normally music and crazy drinking game involving a tree stump, hammers and nails. You'll find it at Hanengan 3, a small street off Tiensestraat.
5. The Professor
It's a great cocktail bar. If you want something besides beer and want lots of delicious options. This is a good spot. It's right on Naamsestraat, near the Oude Markt. They also have tasty alcoholic milkshakes.
6. Stapletons
A quintessential Irish pub. It's just off Naamsestraat, two doors down from Namaste, the Nepalese restaurant. It's a great place to go watch sports, with TVs all around. It'll usually show all the big football (soccer) games and rugby. That's what I've seen there at least, I'm sure you'll find other things as well. And it's a good place for a pint of Guinness.
Happy drinking!
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