POTEMKINE

Potemkine has been a Brussels favourite spot in Saint-Gilles for years. So much so that when it suddenly closed back in September 2013, there was a general disappointment that this cool bar would no longer be an option to hang out. Luckily for us, Potemkine has reopened in 2014 with a slightly new look and much of its old charm.

One of the things I love most about this place is its versatility and how it can cater for different occasion. Potemkine is a cafe where you can enjoy a coffee or a beer during the day, a stylish bar which occasionally hosts DJ and live music events in the evening and a venue for cinema lovers – undoubtedly a dynamic combination which works perfectly. Add in the mix free wifi and the fact that it’s open 7 days a week and you’ve got a winner! The interior follows the successful formula of bar guru Frederic Nicolay, who is responsible for other famous venues in Brussels, such as Cafe Belga, Bar du Matin, Flamingo and La Belle Equipe to name a few. It’s unpretentious and industrial, almost bare in terms of decor. The huge whale skeleton hanging from the ceiling may have been removed and replaced by quirky lighting, but the grand piano remains there as an ode to its past and a reference to all the great things happening in this spot.

On sunny days, you can grab a table at the little terrace in the front overlooking the Porte de Hal. Potemkine also serves snacks but I have to say that my experience hasn’t been great when it comes to food, so I would rather recommend it for a laid back drink with friends or a place when you can get some work done on your PC or enjoy live music. It’s inexpensive, a bit retro and cool in true Brussels’ fashion.

INFO

Address: Avenue de la Porte de Hal 2-4, 1060 Saint-Gilles, Belgium

Telephone: +32 2 5394944

*UPDATE: Unfortunately, Potemkine is now closed.*