Delirium, Brussels
Much of my New Years eve was spent savouring strong Belgium beer in Delirium, a bar near the Grand Place in Brussels that has over 2000 different types of beer.
Before leaving for Brussels I’d mentioned to many people that I was heading there for new years. Their response was often the same, “why Brussels?”. The real reason being it was a reasonably cheap place to visit and somewhere myself and my girlfriend hadn’t been before. Their questions had put me a little on the back foot with regards to Brussels so I wasn’t expecting much from a New Years Eve there.
I’d heard a little bit about Delirium already and was expecting a traditional Belgium bar sort of environment. On arrival I was a little disappointed as the place seemed to have very little charm and true character, it reminded me more of a students union bar than somewhere worth going out of the way to visit. Never the less I was there to sample some Belgium beers and the full menu of drinks was huge. Be warned some of the beers on the menu are extremely strong, I went for the 7% Rulles Blonde draft beer to get things started. We soon discovered that there was actually a downstairs bar too (and a upstairs bar), that actually seemed to have a much better atmosphere. Luckily we found a couple of seats next to the stairs that turned out to be a prime area for watching the inebriated slip, slide, trip, wobble and stumble up and down the stairs.
Downstairs Bar in Delirium, Brussels
It took a couple of strong Belgium beers but Delirium really did grow on me, it is what it is, a bar serving a great range varying strength beers in an unassuming environment. It’s extremely popular and was definitely the liveliest place I came across in New Years eve. Bar staff were in fancy dress, 70’s style and the patrons need little encouragement after a couple of glasses of the local tipple.
Seemingly so popular that there’s also the Delirium cafe in the same area that seems a little quieter if you do fancy savouring your beer in a much more low key environment. Overall it’s a great place to spend some of your new years eve evening if you’re in Brussels. At around 11:30 we left the bar to venture out on to the street and the whole area was packed with people out to see the fireworks, thankfully I’d consumed just enough alcohol in Delirium to make sure I could tolerate the crowds.
Have you been to Delirium in Brussels? What did you think?
