La Cale Sèche (CLOSED)

This little bar on the Rue Panoyaux is easy to miss, thanks to its unpretentious façade. But once inside, you find a huge long bar with a surprise at the back – a pretty, leafy terrace, flanked by public tennis courts. It’s a wonderful, very relaxed place to sit and read, admire the flowers and watch the locals playing tennis while you drink your coffee. Inside, the décor is a heterogeneous jumble of storm lamps, old shoes suspended from the ceiling and posters for punk, rock and French chanson artists (who also make up the soundtrack). The well-chosen range of beer includes a draught demi Maes for €2.50, as well as Edelweiss Blanche, Affligem and Murphy’s. Bottled beers include Chimay, Chouffe and Cuvée des Trolls. Caipirinhas and mojitos are record-breakingly cheap at €6 a throw, and there’s a range of rums at €3 a shot. A daily organic menu is on offer with dishes between €4 and €10. An excellent neighbourhood address: once you’ve found it, you’ll become a regular.