This brief trip to Antwerp preceded a trip on a European Sleeper train to Decin in the north of the Czech Republic. This train from Brussels to Prague only runs on three days each week and Antwerp is the first stop. Arriving in Brussels on a Eurostar train from London on Tuesday 10 March 2026, we were able to connect with a SNCB train to Antwerp despite a strike on Belgian railways.
It's always a pleaure to arrive at Antwerpen Centraal. However, on this occasion an escalator from a low level platform was out of service but a lift provided the necessary elevation for us and our luggage to the original entrance. After a walk in the rain we reached
Citybox, our economical contemporary accommodation for the night.
De Hovenier
An evening in Antwerp provided the opportunity to walk towards the cathedral and visit some bars.
De Hovenier, Sint-Jacobsmarkt 26, wasn't busy at 18.45.
For the first beer in Antwerp, it was a simple choice to order draught De Koninck Bolleke, brewed nearby (€2.90 / 25cl). There are three other draught beers and 15 bottled beers, including Seef Bier and Tripel Westmalle (€4.30) on the laminated drinks menu.
The marble topped tables, traditional tiled floor, wood panelling and furniture make this a good example of a traditional bar. The landlord was jolly and a large drawing of his smiling face is pinned on a wall near the internal steel chimney pipe for the log burner. After settling for our drinks in cash it was nice to be invited to return another day. De Hovenier can be recommended as a place to call in for a beer for anyone not bothered by the choice of schmaltzy music that may be playing.
Cafe de Kat
We arrived at
Cafe de Kat, Wolstraat 22, at 19.45 and found a free window table. The laminated beer menu lists 3 draught beers including De Koninck(€3.60) and 18 bottles including Seef (€5.20) and Westmalle Tripel (€4.60).
Tim's choice was Westmalle Dubbel (€3.70). Despite the stylish Drinkt De Koninck neon sign behind the bar, this is a classic beer cafe with marble topped tables, traditional tiled floor, mirrors, wood panelling and furniture.
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| Mirror on far wall reflects neon sign above the bar |
It is one of 16 Antwerp bars featured in Belgian Cafe Culture by Regula Ysewijn.
Jazz Cafe de Muze
Arriving at
De Muze, Melkmarkt 15, by 8.45pm, before the 9pm jazz start, allowed us to find a table near the stage and order drinks before the 50 cent surcharge on drinks. Tim enjoyed a glass of Lupulus NEIPA with music from De Muze 5, the regular Tuesday night band. The handwritten beer menu card lists 10 draught beers including De Koninck Bolleke (€4.1) and 19 bottled beers including Seefbier (€5.4) and Westmalle Tripel (€5.3).
The dimly lit large space has a high ceiling, heavy light fittings, exposed beams and brickwork with two staircases to an upper level.
De Muze is near the Cathedral of our Lady which is illuminated at night.
Kassa 4
It's about a 15 minute walk from De Muze to
Kassa 4, Ossenmarkt 21, near Citybox and the university. There were customers outside and we were able to find a table inside at 10.15pm. It was nice to discover plenty of traditional original features inside including floor tiles, marble table tops, wooden panelling and furniture.
A variety of enamel brewery signs are displayed on upper levels of the walls. A large blackboard above the bar lists the available beers, six on draught including De Koninck (€4) and 22 bottles priced at €4, €4.50 or €5 (maximum). Tim's last beer of the evening was a bottle of Troubadour Magma (€5).
De Koninck Bar
The first beer of the afternoon on Wednesday was a Bolleke (€3.50) at the
De Koninck Shop which has a bar and seating area.
The main De Koninck Bar is separated from the shop area by an internal opening.
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| Main bar with high seating and copper vessel in far room |
This access was closed with a curtain due to a later opening time but there was an opportunity to get a photo. After many visits to Antwerp this was Tim's first visit to De Koninck brewery and with curiosity satisfied, probably the last.
Speciale Belge Taproom
In contrast, a first visit to
Speciale Belge Taproom is unlikely to be Tim's last.
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| Cobbled entrance to Taproom with blackboard listing beers |
About a 12 minute walk towards Zurenborg from De Koninck Brewery, it is situated in the PAKT courtyard area that includes other enterprises including
Caffenation PAKT for coffee.
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| View towards bar with tank beers above and Untappd beer menu on screens |
It's a friendly place with a slightly alternative feel to it. The brewery motto 'Goed Bier Goed Volk' is displayed on an overhead banner.
Brewery vessels to the right of the bar can be observed through a glass screen.
From the 'home brewed' beers, Tim chose Al Blondy (€4.50) served in a stemmed glass with the brewery logo and tasting pleasantly fruity.
Ipadawan, a hazy DDH Session IPA (€5.5) proved equally enjoyable. Leaving at 5.15pm we had time to walk back to Citybox, collect our luggage, eat a quick meal at Thai Wok Express and buy cold beers at Proxy Delhaize, Astridplein, ready for the overnight train journey, departing at 20.02 hrs from a low level platform.
The chilled Leffe Blond and Tripel Karmeliet from the supermarket were enjoyed travelling through Belgium and the Netherlands before sleep across Germany until approaching Berlin.
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| Thursday 7.15am in Berlin - view from European Sleeper train |
