Housed in what was genuinely once a pharmacy, this apothecary-themed cocktail bar has embraced its inheritance with conviction. Taxidermied specimens peer from glass cabinets. Tincture bottles line shelves where medicines once stood. The gin list alone runs to several dozen expressions, organized with pharmacological precision. But the theatre never overwhelms the craft — the drinks are technically excellent, balanced and inventive, served by staff who understand that a good cocktail is itself a kind of remedy. The balcony seating overlooks the Mont des Arts gardens, offering one of the finest aperitif views in the city.
Location
Mont des Arts, Brussels
Map
Insider Intel
A gin and tonic built from their extensive gin library — ask for a Belgian gin like Copperhead or Filliers. Their Penicillin cocktail is a knowing nod to the pharmacy theme. The house Old Fashioned with smoked bitters rewards patience.
Early evening in summer, when the balcony is open and the light over the Mont des Arts turns golden. The view alone is worth arriving before sunset. Winter evenings are best spent deep inside the apothecary interior.
Boulevard de l'Imperatrice 1, between Gare Centrale and the Royal Palace. Cocktails fourteen to eighteen euros. Reservations recommended for balcony seats. Cards accepted. Dress is smart casual — the setting demands a small effort.