The perfect gin & tonic ratio: one part gin, two parts tonic. Add a Spanish touch with lime wedges, mint, juniper berries, and peppercorns. The five bars below do this well — each with its own character.
- Palo Alto (Rue Tasson-Snel, Saint-Gilles) — restaurant with a gin selection that rivals some wine shops. Italian-accented staff who actually know their spirits and will make recommendations based on what you're eating.
- La Pharmacie Anglaise (Rue Coudenberg, Centre) — one of the most atmospheric bars in Brussels, set in what feels like a Victorian apothecary. The quality of cocktails matches the setting.
- De Haus (Chaussée d'Ixelles, Ixelles) — consistently busy, energetic atmosphere, regular evening events. The gin selection is solid; the crowd is local and loyal.
- Green Lab (Avenue Louise) — 180+ gins in a bar designed to look like an indoor jungle. Also stocks 20 absinthes and 30 whiskeys and rums for non-gin drinkers. The format is a little theatrical, but the selection is real.
- De Belomonte (Place Saint-Géry, Centre) — 60+ gins, many Belgian. Each drink comes with tonic pairing suggestions based on the botanicals. A surprisingly educational experience.
Brussels has a gin culture that predates the current global trend — Belgian gins like Copperhead, Filliers, and Rubbens have been produced here for decades. These bars reflect that heritage.
