The word guinguette comes from "guinguet," which originally referred to a cheap, slightly tart white wine produced in the Île-de-France region and served in these popular suburban cabarets.
Who hasn't ever indulged in one too many drinks in a verdant setting before dancing a few steps with strangers? If you haven't already, it's time to start. Not just to get drunk, because the party is sometimes even more fun without alcohol.
Folkloric management by the Region
Brussels taverns create intergenerational and multicultural links. They are real smile factories. Very dependent on unpredictable weather, they do not really allow for business. The cost of consumption is relatively high because the entire business must be done in a few weeks.
The call for tenders for their management each time seems a little hackneyed, improvised and biased. The Region pays for the installation of the equipment, storage, refurbishment and reinstallation. The operator manages a few taverns and pays a small percentage to the Region. Enough to give a scent of favoritism in the face of the Brussels catering industry which is currently suffering greatly.
The short-list of refreshments where you can also eat
Let's take a tour of the taverns in Brussels, just to get the tavern in mind. They often have first names.
Henri
In the park on Avenue Georges-Henri, you enter by walking on tombstones, the first burial before even the first drink.
Emile
Duden Park, a stone's throw from Union's iconic stadium. The view of Brussels alone makes it worth the trip.
Maurice
Cinquantenaire Park. A must-see, especially the Joyeuse Entrée side. A truly beautiful setting.
Fabiola
In King Baudouin Park, the legendary couple reunited in Jette. The perfect place to have a drink with friends.
André
In Laeken Park, a fabulous place where you'll also discover a cemetery worthy of Père-Lachaise in Paris. A favorite not to be missed.
Vincent
In Evere, in the Bon Pasteur Park. A welcoming environment in the heart of the chicory-growing town.
Vaux-Hall
Behind the Théâtre du Parc, which is leaking from all sides, and the Cercle Gaulois. Opposite 16 Rue de la Loi, in Brussels Park. Devilish setting.
La Cambre Abbey
A legendary and somewhat hidden spot, near the Ixelles ponds. A concentration of incredible heritage in the heart of the capital, a stone's throw from Beci.
Place Noord
A brand-new concept blending a casual outdoor café, concerts, and a big party has just launched – The new place to be. In the brutalist setting of the Gare du Nord (North Station).
And then there are the open-air cafes that have gone from ephemeral to permanent fixtures. In Forest Park, at Bois de la Cambre (Woodpecker and Le Kiosque), or even in Josaphat Park in Schaerbeek. Another Brussels oddity.
Not to mention that it's always possible to organize your own open-air cafe with friends in the restaurant or café near you. They're open all year round.
If open-air cafes have survived the centuries, it's perhaps because, deep down, we always need a little corner where the wine is light, but life is a little less so. They've simply gone from being popular to more bohemian.
BXFM will be touring the open-air cafes this summer to be as close to you as possible.
Written by Pierre Chaudoir, columnist at BXFM radio.
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