IMAGIN POP UP BAR

In Best Activities Brussels, Best Cafes & Bars Brussels

When an invitation announcing the opening of a pop up cocktail bar in Brussels landed in my mailbox, I was very intrigued. Fancy cocktails in a secret garden turned into a temporary bar by Bombay Sapphire and Fever Tree? Sold! After posting a few teasers on Facebook over the past weeks, it’s finally time to reveal all the details of Imagin Gin & Tonic bar in Rue du Berger, a quiet street just off Place Saint-Boniface in Ixelles.

Following last year’s success of a pop up Gin & Tonic bar in Knokke, Imagin has arrived in Brussels and more specifically, at Les Jardins de Bagatelle. This spot served as a famous restaurant and has remained closed for 6 years until now. The space has been redecorated into an eccentric bar dominated by blue and silver tones and is exactly what was missing from Brussels: an upscale bar to enjoy a smart cocktail after work. Blue jean sofas, piles of antique furniture, musical instruments and other curiosities create an enchanting atmosphere and lead to my favorite part of Imagin, the garden. There, under a large Berber tent amongst the trees you enjoy what Imagin is all about, innovative cocktails.

Bombay Sapphire and Fever Tree has invited five creative minds, namely Michelin-starred chef Bart De Pooter (the man behind the Pastorale and WY), oscar winning artist Stephane Halleux, fashion guru Didier Vervaeren, culinary artist Laurence Soetens and mixologist Ran Van Ongevalle, to propose their own signature version of the classic gin & tonic. On my visit I tried the creations of both Bart de Pooters (gin & tonic with candied orange, dried juniper berries, kumquat and orris root) and Stephane Halleux (Espelette pepper ice cubes), which were fantastic – the perfect gin & tonic cocktail with a twist.

Imagin bar will be open until the 5th of July (Thursday – Saturday from 17:00). Make sure to reserve a spot in advance and enjoy gin & tonic cocktails “infused with imagination”!