ENTERTAINMENT AND NIGHTLIFE OF BRUSSEL
For information on events, check the weekly What’s On, available from the tour ist office. The flagship of Brussels’s theater network is the beautiful Theatre Royal de la Monnaie, on pi. de la Monnaie. The theater is renowned throughout the world for its opera and ballet. Its performance of the opera Muette de Portici in August 1830 inspired the audience to take to the streets and begin the revolt that led to Belgium’s independence. (M: de Brouckere. Info -a-229 12 00, tickets 70 233 939; www.lamonnaie.be. Tickets 8-75.) The Theatre Royal de Toone VII, 21 petite r. des
Bouchers, is a seventh generation puppet theater that stages marionette perfor mances, a distinctly Belgian art form. The theater also houses a unique bar. (513 54 86. Shows generally in French; German, Flemish, and English available upon request. Tu-Sa 8:30pm. 10, students 7.) In summer, concerts are held on Grand Place, on pi. de la Monnaie, and in the pare de Bruxelles.
On summer nights, Grand Place and the Bourse come to life with street performers and live concerts. Students crowd in bars at Zebra and other hopping cafes around Place Saint Gery. Gay nightlife centers around r. des Pierres, next to the Grand Place, and L’Homo Erectus, 57 r. des Pierres, is always hot. (Open Su-Th lpm-3am, F- Sa lpm-5am.) L’Archiduc, 6 r. A. Dansaert, is a pricey but casual Art Deco jazz bar. (Open daily 4pm-late.) For dancing, try La Salsa, r. Borgval 9, which offers daily salsa lessons. (Lessons 8pm-llpm. Open daily 8pm-late.) Le Fuse, 208 r. Blaes, is one of Belgium’s trendiest clubs. (Open daily lOpm-late.)
