The Galerie Bortier, where not so long ago one would only find old books, now also is the home of Bar Bibine, proudly pouring beers from eight Brussels breweries: La Mule, L’Ermitage, En Stoemelings, La Senne, Brussels Beer Project, Surréaliste, and La Jungle.
Bar Bibine is actually just ‘a bar’, or more specifically, a bar counter on one side of the nineteenth century Galerie Bortier, with some tables in the middle of the arcade, under the glass canopy, and a couple of booths on the opposite side.
However, Bar Bibine—or is it Bar à Bibine?—is just one of the many businesses in the gallery. Yes, there are still some second-hand book dealers, but while a beer and a book go well together, after a couple of glasses, one of the food outlets in the gallery might be more appealing. So while the bar itself doesn’t serve any food, there’s plenty of choice at the neighbours: Indian food at Naanry, seafood at Polpo, cheese at Sélections, Italian food at Gazzosa, middle-eastern dishes at Mezzeway, and meaty delights at Dierendonck.
#TrainBeer
The beer menu of Bar Bibine lists at least two beers for each of those Brussels breweries, in servings of 25 cl and of 50 cl. While there also is a column prominently displayed which mentions 33 cl, it is for the (same) beers indeed, but in can or bottle, to take away. Considering the bar is right next to the Putterie Square entrance of Central Station, that is actually not a bad idea: just grab a local #TrainBeer on your way out of Brussels!
tl;dr
Beers
- Beers from 8 Brussels breweries on draught, and in cans or bottles
- To take away as well, so perfect for a #TrainBeer
Bites
- Nothing at the bar, but plenty of options in its Galerie Bortier neighbours
Bar Bibine
Magdalenastraat 57 Rue de la Madeleine
1000 Brussels
Website - Instagram
What have people been drinking here recently?
- Jezza is drinking a TERRA PILS at Bar Bibine
- Jezza is drinking a Surréaliste at Bar Bibine
- Florian Schell is drinking a TERRA PILS at Bar Bibine
- Florian Schell is drinking a Summer Leftover at Bar Bibine
- Guillaume is drinking a La Meute at Bar Bibine
- Thomas Durant is drinking a Saison Sauvage - Pêche Blanche at Bar Bibine
- dries brouckaert is drinking a Hefe Weisse Naturtrüb at Bar Bibine
- dries brouckaert is drinking a Zinnebir at Bar Bibine
- Benoit Gillin is drinking a Cobra Premium at Bar Bibine
- Benoit Gillin is drinking a Zinnebir at Bar Bibine