Brussels Culture Guide
Cinemas
Brussels offers many cinema choices, ranging from the large mainstream studios to smaller arty venues. Prices generally range between 6 and 12€ and student, children and pensioner discounts are usually available. Below is a list of some cinemas in the city.
Mainstream
Kinepolis – Large mainstream multiplex cinemas showing mainly international blockbusters, usually in original language with French and Dutch subtitles, though the website does indicate the language, whether dubbed or with subtitles. Depending on the film, there may be delays of initial release until shown in Belgium but that may only be a couple of weeks or so. Belgium is quite liberal and censorship of movies is at a minimum. Prices for tickets is 9€ though small discounts are available if you buy online or use the kiosks in the venue. Telephone: 024742603. Address: Boulevard du Centenaire 20, Brussels 1020. Website; http://www.kinepolis.com/
UGC – Another mainstream multiplex showing mainly international blockbusters. Again, there may be a delay in movie openings compared to the country of origin of the movie but it usually is not too long. These cinemas offer a UGC membership card that allows you to pay 5€/movie if you see a certain number of movies a month. There are two locations in Brussels; UGC Place du Brouckere – Telephone: 090010440 (Calls cost 0.45€/minute). Address: Place du Brouckere 38, Brussels 1000 and Website http://www.ugc.be/. UGC Tosion D’or; Telephone: 090010440(Calls cost 0.45€/minute). Avenue de la Tosion D’or 8, Brussels 1060. Website; http://www.cinenews.be/
Cinema Le Stockel – Also showing current blockbusters, this complex in Woluwe-St-Pierre often has movies dubbed into French or Dutch so it is best to call ahead. Telephone: 027791079. Address: Avenue de Hinnisdael, Brussels 150. Website; http://www.cinebel.be/
Off the Beaten Path
The following cinemas play variations on art, classics and sometimes blockbusters. Make sure to verify if the movie is in its original language or dubbed. Cinemas with “CC” included in the name denote “Cultural Centre” and often there will be other cultural happenings at the location.
Actor’s Studio – Shows critically acclaimed movies recently on the big screen as well as controversial movies. Telephone: 025121696 Address: Petite rue des Bouchers 16, Brussels 1000. Information: http://www.cinenews.be/
Cinematek – Showing many classics, cult and festival favourites from around the world. Telephone: 025511919. Address: Rue Baron Horta 9, Brussels 1000. Website http://www.cinematek.be/
Millenium Filmclub – Shows mainly arty or modern documentaries. Telephone: 0477294564 Address: Rue Haute 139, Brussels 1000. Website: http://www.milleniumedition.org/
Cinema Flagey – Shows a wide range of movies from around the world. Telephone: 026411010 Address: Belvederestraat 27, Brussels 1050. Website http://www.flagey.be/
CC de Schaerbeek – Mostly older and popular non-Hollywood showings. Telephone: 022452725 Address: Rue de Locht 91/93, Brussels 1030. Website http://www.culture1030.be/
CC Jacques Franck – Usually shows good lesser known films. Telephone: 025389020 Address: Chaussee de Waterloo 94, Brussels 1060. Website http://centreculturel.be/
CC D’Etterbeek – Espace Segnor – Non-Hollwood film originals are usually shown. Telephone: 022303140 Address: Steenweg op Waver 366, Brussels 1040. Website http://www.etterbeek.irisnet.be/
CG Ten Weyngaert – Shows mainly Belgian films. Telephone: 023409580. Address: Rue del Allies 54, Brussels 1190. Website http://tenweyngaert.vgc.be/
Stxy Cinemas – Showing English films, this cinema is located in Ixelles. Telephone: 025122102 Address: De L’Arbre Benit 72, Brussels 1050. Website http://www.cinebel.be/
Vendome – Movie-plex in Matonge showing the latest festival favorites mainly in original languages with French and Dutch subtitles. Also hosts a number of film festivals and can be found on the website. Telephone: 025023700. Address: Chaussee de Wavre 18, Brussels 1050. Website http://www.cinema-vendome.be/
DVD Rental and Purchase
- DVDpost – An online DVD rental (similar to Netflix) where you pay a monthly fee and you choose DVDs which are sent overnight and upon completion you send them back and receive the next DVD in your waiting list. Website http://www.dvdpost.be/
- Espace Video – DVD chain rental store with many locations in the city and a wide selection. Membership is available and DVDs that normally cost 5€ to rent can be rented for 3€. Website http://www.espace-video.net/
- Fnac – Electronic chain store where you can buy DVDs, video games etc. There is a wide range of movies and TV series for sale and prices range according to latest releases and most popular titles, though expect to pay around 20€ for e new release. http://www.fnac.com/
- Media Markt – Another big chain, they also have a good stock of movies, TV series and games for sale for around the same prices. http://www.mediamarkt.be/
Opera/Theatre/Ballet
Although opera is not as popular as it used to be in Brussels, there are two opera houses that have very well-attended performances and there are over 30 theatres in the city. It is recommended to buy tickets, which are available through the websites or the box office, early in advance.
Le Theatre Royal de la Monnaie – A traditional opera house, La Monnaie hosts two or three operas a month in its grand chamber. It also hosts concerts, dance recitals, and theatre. Telephone: 070233939. Address: Rue Leopold 23, Brussels 1000. For information on events and prices go to http://www.lamonnaie.be/
Opera Royal de Wallonie – Located in Liege, this is a magnificent opera house hosting many events. Telephone: 042214722. Address: Rue des Dominicains 1, Liege 4000. Website: http://www.operaliege.be/
The Royal Music Conservatory – Used more often for hosting the theatrical and musical works of it students, the Conservatory sometimes hosts operas as well. Telephone: 025110427 Address: Rue de la Regence 30, Brussels 1000. Website: http://www.conservatoire.be/
The Royal Theatre of Toone– Featuring shows in Dutch, German, English, Italian and Spanish, this Royal Theater of Toone has been home to Brussles puppeteers since 1830. Its origins date back to Spanish times and has been established in the city center since 1966. Telephone: 025117137. Address: Rue du Marche aux Herbes 66, 1000 Brussels. Website: http://www.toone.be
The American Theatre Company (ATC) – A non-profit theatre group in the city whose aim is to present plays by American and other playwrights. Rue Waelhem 73, Brussels 1030. Tickets can be bought on the website: http://www.atc-brussels.com/
Espace Theatral Scarabeus – French theatre in Scaerbeek. Rue Creuse 19-27, Brussels 1030. Reservations: 022414402. Website: http://www.scarabaeus.net/
Theatre Arte – Flemish theatre in Brussles centre. Lakensestraat 159, Brussel 1000. Telephone: 0233543869.
Compagnie Mossoux-Bonte – Dance group verging on theatre and have performed in over 30 countries. Rue des Tanneurs 87, Brussels 1000. Website: http://www.mossoux-bonte.be/
Damaged Goods Company – Dance group in Brussels choreographed by American Meg Stuart. OLV Van Vaakstraat 83, Brussels 1000. Telephone: 025132540. Website: http://www.damagedgoods.be/#/about/biography
A complete list of theatres can be found at http://www.idearts.be/agenda/theatres/
Recommended Resources
Most local newspapers have comprehensive sections on arts and culture in the city.The following websites can also be viewed.
