10 Best First Date Spots in Brussels – Drinks
Meeting up with a catch from Bumble or asking out your teen crush for the first time? I Gochu! Bars, cafés, and unique places to have a great first date.
On January 14, 2024, I embarked on my Asian adventure, starting with India. I had traveled to many Western countries but didn’t get a proper taste of the East yet (without it being a fancy shmancy vacay with my parents). I feel like most backpackers start with the famous South-East Asia trip, and then work their way up to other areas that might be less accessible or more expensive. I hadn’t, so I decided to not miss out on the SEA experience and go for it now!
If you know me personally, you won’t be surprised that I went for a rather atypical route to challenge myself that tad bit more. I booked one of the cheapest flights from Belgium to Asia, which was India. I’ve always wanted to visit India: my host mother in the US was from Kolkata and sparked my interest with her Indian cooking, celebrating Diwali, and gorgeous traditional attire. Later in uni, I met a guy from Hyderabad who became one of my dearest friends and kept my interest in India alive throughout the years. Thank you Jayanti, thank you Michael, for enriching me with your culture.
However, as always before a solo trip, I was freaking out. Why was I leaving my perfect little life in Brussels behind? What was I replacing it with? Moreover, people had warned me for the most ridiculous things, and the fear really got to my head. I was prepared – anxiously – for a loud, overcrowded, dirty place where men keep bothering you on the streets. I took off all my jewelry on the plane and made sure I was covered neck to toe. As I arrived at Delhi Airport, I lingered around in a state of inertia before finally taking a cab to my accommodation, Michael’s mother’s house.
We drove through dusty streets with guys on scooters carrying like 7 goats on their backs. We drove through chaotic traffic where lanes did not exist and honking at every move was the norm. And it all just felt… Normal. I quickly realized that Kyrgyzstan and Senegal and even summer camp in the French Alps have prepared me for any kind of situation, from the busiest traffic to the craziest nature-survival situations. And most importantly, I realized that other people’s warnings and projections of fear have nothing to do with me. We all have a different perspective and are equipped with our own personal toolbox to tackle culture shocks. And my experience would not be the same as anyone else’s.
I’m endlessly grateful that Michael’s mother, Reena, welcomed me with open arms and took care of me for the first few days. Knowing that I would be in good hands made me feel safe and gave me time to acclimatize. However, not staying in a hostel with fellow travelers made me feel very lonely, especially after saying goodbye to my amazing friends and housemates back home. After 3 nights of family life in a tiny apartment on the outskirts of Delhi, I moved into Moustache Hostel Delhi and got a whole new perspective. (More on that in a later blog post.)
On January 14, 2024, I embarked on my Asian adventure, starting with India. I had traveled to many Western countries but didn’t get a proper taste of the East yet (without it being a fancy shmancy vacay with my parents). I feel like most backpackers start with the famous South-East Asia trip, and then work their way up to other areas that might be less accessible or more expensive. I hadn’t, so I decided to not miss out on the SEA experience and go for it now!
If you know me personally, you won’t be surprised that I went for a rather atypical route to challenge myself that tad bit more. I booked one of the cheapest flights from Belgium to Asia, which was India. I’ve always wanted to visit India: my host mother in the US was from Kolkata and sparked my interest with her Indian cooking, celebrating Diwali, and gorgeous traditional attire. Later in uni, I met a guy from Hyderabad who became one of my dearest friends and kept my interest in India alive throughout the years. Thank you Jayanti, thank you Michael, for enriching me with your culture.
However, as always before a solo trip, I was freaking out. Why was I leaving my perfect little life in Brussels behind? What was I replacing it with? Moreover, people had warned me for the most ridiculous things, and the fear really got to my head. I was prepared – anxiously – for a loud, overcrowded, dirty place where men keep bothering you on the streets. I took off all my jewelry on the plane and made sure I was covered neck to toe. As I arrived at Delhi Airport, I lingered around in a state of inertia before finally taking a cab to my accommodation, Michael’s mother’s house.
We drove through dusty streets with guys on scooters carrying like 7 goats on their backs. We drove through chaotic traffic where lanes did not exist and honking at every move was the norm. And it all just felt… Normal. I quickly realized that Kyrgyzstan and Senegal and even summer camp in the French Alps have prepared me for any kind of situation, from the busiest traffic to the craziest nature-survival situations. And most importantly, I realized that other people’s warnings and projections of fear have nothing to do with me. We all have a different perspective and are equipped with our own personal toolbox to tackle culture shocks. And my experience would not be the same as anyone else’s.
I’m endlessly grateful that Michael’s mother, Reena, welcomed me with open arms and took care of me for the first few days. Knowing that I would be in good hands made me feel safe and gave me time to acclimatize. However, not staying in a hostel with fellow travelers made me feel very lonely, especially after saying goodbye to my amazing friends and housemates back home. After 3 nights of family life in a tiny apartment on the outskirts of Delhi, I moved into Moustache Hostel Delhi and got a whole new perspective. (More on that in a later blog post.)
Meeting up with a catch from Bumble or asking out your teen crush for the first time? I Gochu! Bars, cafés, and unique places to have a great first date.
Whether you’re going for a few drinks after work, or ordering bottles on a Saturday night, here’s a full list of the hottest bars in Brussels!
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Your ultimate guide to the best eats, cozy hangouts, work spots, and even clubs worldwide. Eat, sleep, rave, repeat.
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