Billie's Bier Kafétaria

Billie's is pretty cool, it definitely leans to the American side of the spectrum though. Our local server sounded more Californian than Antwerpener. Perennial (Saint Louis, MO) was hosting an event here earlier that week, and there were Lagunitas signs on the walls. The vibe was relaxed and cozy, we were seated upstairs on a couch, opposite another couchful of diners.

Draft list is rotating, and the print menu is a small book. Oddly enough they had a lot of haze cans priced at €13-15 that we quickly passed on. Had a couple great Belgian drafts, Alvinne Cuvee Sophie Plum and De La Senne Crianza III.

Food was great, smoked sausage, frites, and tasty stoofvlees. Very hearty and ample portions.

Overall it's well worth a stop for food and a high quality US-leaning beer selection. Be sure to check out their new second location near Kulminator, Billie's Bier Shop.

 

This was probably my favorite bar in Antwerp, though the beer selection is only about half Belgian. I was tiring of the Belgian beers and enjoyed some other European beers at this bar. Their tap list was not all that long (10 or 12), but it was about half non-Belgian in a variety of styles and it all tasted fresh. They have flights for the tap beer, though a little on the pricey side. I did not order food but the tourists at the next table raved about their food and it looked tasty. There were a number of men sitting outside smoking. The crowd inside was a more mixed group of locals and tourists. The service was OK, though not outstanding. I didn't rate the Food (since I didn't eat), and that seems to be bringing down the score. Flawed scoring system.

This was the 2nd of 2 new places I visited in Antwerp, stopping by on 01OCT17... It's found in the old part of town, about 5 minutes south of the main square...

The entrance is on the corner of the main street and a side alley... The outside has old, dark, wood-framed windows and a stone-lined main doorway. Enter and you'll find a tiny, cramped, dark, woody place. Ahead and to the left are a few small tables, and bearing right you'll see the small bar to the rear-right. It is a very tight fit all over the place here... The left rear has a brick wall, though most of the rest is aged dark wood. The bar-back has scores of glasses and wooden placards listing their tap offerings, which numbered 12... Added to that was a bottle list of 100+... To the rear-left of the bar was a narrow staircase leading to an upper loft with a few more tables and the WCs...

The place had a really cool, comfy vibe... a tiny, old tavern with lots of warmth... that allowed me to put up with the funky jazz music playing... ;-) The place was packed during my visit, but the 2 bartenders/waitresses got things done quite well... I didn't partake of food, though it looked tasty, from what I could tell (though pricey)... Yet another solid Antwerp option..,. Prosit!!

4.18/5 rDev -5.11%
vibe: 4.25 | quality: 4.25 | service: 4.25 | selection: 4 | $$

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