Brussels is considered the center of jazz music in Europe. Because of this, the lovely city has jazz bars lining up its streets where lovers of this genre can get a drink and enjoy the live performances. An interesting note is that the saxophone, a cornerstone of jazz music, was invented by Adolphe Sax, who came from Brussels. Today, the strong influence of this instrument runs in the nightly performances one will see in music venues all over the city. You will also see jazz musicians play the double bass with so much energy. These are just some of the things you can witness in the music venues in the city. If you are an avid fan of this type of music, take your time to read our review about the best jazz bars in Brussels, Belgium, below.
1. The Music Village
The Music Village should always be high on your list of jazz bars to visit. It is located in the heart of the historic district of Brussels and is known for its friendly service, great drinks, and amazing food. However, long time patrons of this place come here for one reason. They offer the best jazz live performances in all of Brussels. The place has a sophisticated vibe perfect for picky music lovers. They are open six nights a week and are always full because the place attracts not only local fans but an international audience as well. This is the perfect place to unwind after a day of visiting many tourist destinations.
The Music Village
Address: Rue des Pierres 50, 1000 Bruxelles, Belgium
Website: Music VIllage
Opening hours: Tue - Sun: 7:30pm - 12am (closed on Mon)
2. L'Archiduc
Since 1937, L'Archiduc has been churning some of the best jazz performances on a nightly basis. This is why jazz aficionados love trooping to this place that doubles as an art gallery. Art Deco design covers the façade and extends into the interiors that are furnished with high ceilings, columns, and a crescent-shaped balcony. Regular customers that stop by here include young professionals and those from the upper-income class. The staff are all very friendly and are quite knowledgeable about the music they play, especially jazz. There is nothing more you can ask for in a jazz bar. Even the great Miles Davis came here a few times and jammed with the night’s performers.
Archiduc
Address: Rue Antoine Dansaert 6, 1000 Bruxelles, Belgium
Website: Archiduc
Opening hours: 4pm - 1am (daily)
3. Bonnefooi
Bonnefooi is one place that will fill your need for jazz at night all the way until the morning. They close around sunrise and never earlier than that. The bar’s name means “by chance” because this is the place where you can discover something new about jazz every night. The clientele includes local regulars and international aficionados of music. It is considered one of the best hip places in the city where everyone can let loose and have some fun. Aside from hosting the best local musicians, Bonnefooi is known to invite some of the best foreign jazz artists to its stage.
Bonnefooi
Address: Rue des Pierres 8, 1000 Bruxelles, Belgium
Website: Bonnefooi
Opening hours: Sun - Wed: 8pm - 6am; Thu - Sat: 8pm - 8am
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4. Sazz'N Jazz
You will be in for a gentle surprise once you step inside this quaint jazz bar located near the Botanical Garden of Brussels. The place is an amazing venue that offers the most comfortable seating you can find in a jazz bar. The staff members are all friendly and will make you feel welcome to spend time in the place. Beer prices range from cheap to reasonable and nothing beyond that. They also serve amazing bar food. Additionally, the stage might be a little cramped but this area is where it is at. Every artist who steps on that stage delivers a performance to remember.
Sazz'N Jazz
Address: Bld Bischoffsheim 38b, 1000 Bruxelles, Belgium
Website: Sazz'N Jazz
Brussels Tour Guide
Asefeh Ghadiri
Hello there! I'm Asefeh, a local host in Brussels. I absolutely love this city - it's the second international city in the world and the capital of Europe! It's a melting pot of different cultures and languages, making it special. I especially enjoy walking in the historical parts of it and discovering new places. I'm always excited to meet new people and show them around. I have been living with an architect (my partner) for over 10 years, so I know the most important buildings in the city. And, of course, I know the best places to eat the most delicious and unique foods Brussels offers! Hope to see you here, soon!
Brussels Tour Guide
Peter
Brussels Tour Guide
Miriam Meda
I inspire and help you on your trips to Belgium with my project, Curiositas Mundus. My goal is to avoid you any surprises once you land in this beautiful and small country. Traveling with kids? No problem. Are you a high school teacher preparing for your next study trip? No worries. Families? Friends? Solo travel? VIP? Companies? Universities? Lost souls? Restless minds? Physical challenges or difficulties? All of you are welcome! My specialty is the preparation of tours all over the country. I can guide you through the Belgian streets, museums, bars, chocolate paradises and other places of interest. I want my services to be cultural, responsible, and engaged with the local people. I already have ideas to improve that relationship tourists-inhabitants and to work also with local non-profit associations and businesses :-) In a more personal way, but also related to this nice job of guiding strangers from all over the world, I am a crazy learner of history (especially European history), art, literature, comics (long life to Marvel), languages (you can contact me in English, French, Spanish or Dutch; now I am trying to learn Japanese), philosophy, sociology, politics, videogames and so on! Above all, I have tons of curiosity about everything that surronds me.
5. Sounds
Sounds is a hole-in-the-wall establishment in the Ixelles district that is wildly popular among lovers of jazz music. For six nights a week, the place regales its paying customers with fine jazz performances from local artists. This place also offers different types of jazz every night to keep things interesting. You will see big bands, trios, and solo performers give their best in every show. Sounds is considered a legend in the nightlife and jazz scene, and it has a full line up of performers for the whole year. You will be reminded of jazz bars in New York and Chicago with its warm vibe and amazing interior design.
Sounds
Address: Rue de la Tulipe 28, 1050 Ixelles, Belgium
Website: Sounds
Opening hours: Mon - Sat: 8pm - 4am (closed on Sun)
6. Café Floréo
Café Floréo is a jazz lover’s paradise where the music conquers all of six nights a week. By day, it is a favored dining destination where you can have the best lunch dishes in Brussels. At night, it turns into a lively jazz bar where you can choose to sit down and watch the performances or put on your dancing shoes and sway to the music. Their cocktail menu offers some of the best mixed drinks you can have on this side of town. All cocktail menu items are reasonably priced and go perfectly well with their bar food and live music.
Café Floréo
Address: Rue des Riches Claires 19, 1000 Bruxelles, Belgium
Website: Café Floréo
Opening hours: Mon - Sat: 3pm - 1am (closed on Sun)
7. Booze'n Blues
Booze'N Blues is a small bar with a lot going for it. The place never fails to draw in amazing crowds every night. The main reason for this is that it has a jukebox where hundreds of vinyl records are ready to be played while thousands more are in the pipeline. Aside from that, the place invites the best local jazz musicians for live performances its customers will appreciate. The interior of the place has a great vibe while the long menu of beer comes cheap. The walls serve as the perfect backdrop as it’s filled with a whole collection of photos and memorabilia related to Booze’n Blues’ history.
Booze'n Blues
Address: 1000, Rue des Riches Claires 20, 1000 Bruxelles, Belgium
Opening hours: Tue - Sat: 5pm - 2am (closed on Sun & Mon)
8. Roskam
Roskam is the best place to go if you are looking for a bar where you can enjoy the best live jazz performances in Brussels. They always have a great lineup of the best local jazz performers that play on their hallowed stage. The vibe of the interior is cool and lively, which makes it easy for you to kick back and enjoy the rest of the night filled with beautiful music. They also serve some of the best cocktail concoctions you can grab your hands on in Brussels. Don’t forget to try their Belgian beers as it should come in handy anytime during the night.
Roskam
Address: Rue de Flandre 9, 1000 Bruxelles, Belgium
Website: Roskam
Opening hours: 4pm - 1am (daily)
9. La Machine
Editor's Note: There's no photo available at the time of writing
2016 was the year La Machine opened its doors to fans of jazz music and the rest, as they say, is history. In just a few years, the immense popularity of the venue has made it one of the top choices for people who want to watch jazz musicians perform live. The place hosts at least 170 musical events every year and shows no signs of slowing down once the pandemic is over. This place is small in size but big in music and it shows in the artists that perform here regularly. Order yourself a Belgian beer or a cocktail as you watch the amazing performances unfold before your eyes.
La Machine
Address: Place Saint-Géry 2, 1000 Bruxelles, Belgium
Website: La Machine
Opening hours: 2pm - 1am (daily)
10. The Wild Geese
Editor's Note: There's no photo available at the time of writing
The Wild Geese is the place to go for a life-changing jazz performance in Brussels. Your pleasant experience starts with the friendly staff who will welcome you with wide smiles and open arms. You have the choice to sit in the dining room or go out to the alfresco area where you can still hear the performers. The food is absolutely amazing while the cocktails and beers are reasonably priced. Most customers here are very friendly and welcoming, especially the regulars. The place has a lovely vibe to it that reminds everyone of home.
The Wild Geese
Address: Avenue Livingstone 2-4, 1000 Bruxelles Belgium
Website: The Wild Geese
Opening hours: 12pm - 1am (daily)
The best live jazz experience wherever you go
The jazz scene in Brussels is amazing as can be. With local talents chipping in their artistry and foreign artists jamming with the locals, these venues will continue to thrive in the future. If you are a fan, do check out the jazz scene in a few of the places listed above.
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