I'm not sure, yes I came here for a few drinks one night... They had some ok music on in the background but the atmosphere was a bit odd. The mix of people here, from young to old, casual to OTT dressed - I just wasn't sure what this place was. First order at the bar, my husband ordered 2 beers... He was then served 1 beer and 1 coffee, when he said to the bar woman, I ordered 2 beers the coffee isn't for me, she was very rude and abrupt insisting he did order it. After a minute or two of stating, he didn't... She stomped away and was heavy handed with the coffee on the counter and sloppy with the 2nd beer, she finally gave him. The terrace was open, when we moved outside to finish our drink there... Shortly we were told by staff the terrace was closed, they couldn't keep an eye on this area so were closing it down... WHAT? Anyway, needless to say, we left once we wrapped up that last drink. read more

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This might be my new favorite spot in Ghent. Centrally located, it's got more than meets the eye. Yes, it is in a charming old building that was once used to treat people with leprosy, and though it has stood the test of time, it looks like it could crumble within the first minute of any natural disaster. I have often been in this building, but I've gone through the door on the right, which is another bar, slightly less charming. Sidling past the smokers on the terrace huddled close to the door for warmth, you go down a few steps and enter into a warm, gothic, comforting ambiance. Downstairs there are dark wooden dining tables, high tables, stools and the bar. You have locals and students (some of them foreigners) clustered in various groups, some playing Friday night chess at high tables, others making their way up the stairs trying not to spill their beers. The beauty of this place is in the lighting: most, if not all, seating areas glow with candlelight, and the wax drips down the old alcohol bottles on which they are perched. My favorite spot is upstairs, where there are couches and a more lounge-like atmosphere, still dark and mysterious in ambiance, still glowing with soft light. You shed your coat and settle in, and you don't want to leave (no wonder it's so hard to snag a spot to sit!)--especially in the winter. We didn't order food or snacks so I can't speak to that, but we drank a few beers downstairs our first night in town, and then came back later in the weekend for rum-spiced hot chocolate and tea on the upstairs couches. The prices are reasonable, the servers friendly, the drinks good--but the atmosphere from another era is really what this place is about. read more

I think I may have actually checked into the wrong bar when I was in this place, namely because it didn't seem to pop up on Yelp, or Google, and it wasn't until afterwards that I actually worked out the name of this place. However, it is actually pretty awesome, and quite large as well (there are two levels, and two outdoor areas - though the one next to the river is only half undercover). Mind you, with places like this it can be difficult working out where to sit - do you sit inside and listen to some heaps cool tunes, or do you sit outside next to the river. Well, the weather ended up making that choice for me and I ended up going inside, which is when I discovered the really cool tunes. Anyway, it's a pretty cool place, and definitely worth checking out. They also have a decent variety of beers available. Oh, I probably should mention that like a lot of places in Belgium, this place has table service - don't approach the counter because they tend to be pretty blunt with you. read more

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This is exactly the kind of bar I look for. Seems a bit tucked away in a corner, great comfy chairs and a variety of setups, and fantastic beer. I love the dark wood paneling and the "old" feel, especially given that it is in such a touristy area. Friendly service, which isn't always a given. All in all, a great place to spend several hours. Also - has wifi! read more

This is the perfect spot to go when you're an American tourist in Belgium in the winter. Its not crowded and the environment is inviting. They have a good selection of beer and it's nice that the barkeeps actually talk to you. read more