La Pharmacie Anglaise

La Pharmacie Anglaise opened in 2018 inside the old English pharmacy at Coudenberg 66, on the slope of the Mont des Arts. The original wood paneling, counters, and apothecary jars stayed; the prescriptions changed.

Gault&Millau lists it among Belgium's notable cocktail bars, and Visit Brussels keeps it on the city's official roster. The menu reads like an alchemist's notebook, heavy on gin and theatrical builds.

Who would hate it? Anyone who came to Brussels strictly for lambic; the beer list is an afterthought. This is the city's most committed cocktail room.

Shelves of potion jars, specimens in formaldehyde, and a counter that dispensed medicine for a century now dispensing drinks. The Martini Socialist's review lingers on the decor as long as the glassware. Tuesday through Thursday stays quiet; Friday and Saturday fill fast against limited reservations.

Cocktails run 14 to 15 euros, from precise classics to builds that arrive smoking, infused, or sealed. Many lean on gin; ask the bartender to prescribe rather than browsing.

Skip the wine list; it exists out of politeness. The show is the cocktail program, and the room knows it.

BOZAR concertgoers, EU quarter workers off the clock, and travelers climbing up from the Grand Place. The crowd skews dressed; the room rewards it.

What regulars say:

• Gault&Millau includes it in its Belgian cocktail bar selection.
• The Martini Socialist praised the preserved pharmacy room and the show service.
• Tripadvisor reviewers call the cocktails prepared like a performance, at 14 to 15 euros each.

Who it is for:

• A theatrical date in the museum quarter
• Cocktail drinkers tired of beer city defaults
• Avoid if 15 euro drinks end the conversation

Getting there: Coudenberg 66, five minutes uphill from Brussels Central station; Parc metro sits around the corner.

Timing: Evenings Tuesday to Saturday; weekends crowd early.

Cost: Cocktails 14 to 15 euros.