Spirit Catcher - Secret Brussels

The discofied duo from Belgium let us in on the best bits of Brussels

Music Man, Plattesteen 6, 1000 Brussels

Based in three cities of Belgium – Brussels, Ghent and Steendam. It’s the Phonica of Belgium...

Mister Ego, Rue des Pierre 29, 1000 Brussels

There are too many things to say about this shop! They sell very nice and original clothes, sometimes also unique pieces made by young artists of Belgium. Since we discovered this shop, we rarely go anywhere else. And the very good point is that the manager of the shop is the girlfriend of Jean - if you see what I mean! A few months ago they also opened a little art gallery in the shop. And there is always good music inside, even DJ sets sometimes. It’s a strongly recommended Spirit Catcher’s place!!

Fin de Siècle, Rue des Chartreux 10, 1000 Brussels

It’s nice Belgian speciality food. You can eat there the famous “Stoemp” and “L’onglet à L’échalotte” made with the ancestral recipe – the same one that my grandmother was preparing on Sunday. There is also a very special atmosphere which remind you what the little Belgian “bistro” of the past were like. Lot of noise inside, crowdy, with so much conviviality and litres of beer flowing from the pump. My advice is: never ask them to put some coke in your rum, they are altermondialists so no brand from the globalisation there!!!

Le Tavernier, Chaussée de Boondael 445, 1180 Brussels

This bar is located in the students’ quarter of Brussels, so it’s a young crowdy place with an electric atmosphere. Every Wednesday, there are very cool concerts for free called “Jazzbreak”. You can discover very good soul, funk, hip-hop, brokenbeat and jazz bands invited by Ugo Castellucci aka DJ Brown Moschunz. My best memory is the concert of “The Rebirth”. If you don’t know this band, run to the shop to buy their album. They really burned the place…Each concert is followed by DJ sets from Brown Moschunz and guests. By the way, the sound engineer mixing the concerts is Jean, so if you go there you’ll meet him. Ask him to mix the voice louder, sure he’ll like it ;-))))

Cinema D’Aremberg, Galerie de la Reine 26, 1000 Brussels

This cinema is held by passion of film and show only alternative movies from every country in their original version. Last year, because of big chains of cinema and their very attractive commercial movies, they have been close to bankruptcy. But each cinema lover of Brussels bought some symbolic parts of the place for some money and saved this institution. It means that art didn’t lose against money and business and that Belgians still believe in the union to fight against disillusion. Now the people can really feel at home enjoying a good movie, and it’s way better than a Home Cinema!!

Published: 1/04/2007

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