Cinemas & movie theaters – All our local tips

The Beursschouwburg is a large arts centre in the middle of town, showing contemporary theatre, dance and exhibitions.

The café, or rather Kafee for its Flemish, is on the ground floor, though it has the feel of a cellar-bar, with its exposed-brick walls, lack of windows and tressle tables. It hosts film showings, talks, musical performances and other cultural happenings – normally they are free you just need to buy drinks.

Well worth checking out is the regular shortescape night which screens short films – normally on the first Wednesday/Thursday of each month.

In summer the roof terrace opens up. After the trek up four floors you get to enjoy a great view over the city. They also show films up here on a big outdoor screen.

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Beurskafee | Art & culture, Bars, Cinemas, Music, Theaters
A. Ortsstraat, 20 – 28 | Center | +32025500350
19:00 – 00:00 daily

Countdown has started to one of the most fun film festivals in the world, the Brussels International Fantastic Film Festival. More than 10 days of screaming, yelling, freezing and hiding for/from serial killers, monsters, zombies, axe murderers and extraterrestials.

This festival is the highlight of the year for every cine-lover with a soft spot for cult, horror, thriller or fantasy. Being one of the most famous in its kind it attracts visitors, producers and directors from the entire world. There are many occasions where the director is present in the movie theatre together with the audience, ready to answer your questions after the screening.

“LA PORTE ! “

The main reason why I like going to this event is the unique atmosphere. We brave spectators live along with what we see on the screen, and will not hesitate to try to save the life of the poor busty blonde by shouting she has to close the door or look behind her… while some others need to express their sympathy for their favorite zombie, applauding when he’s producing human minced meat.

Very amusing are side events. Say hello to Mr Dracula and Mss Frankenstein at the Bal Des Vampires, a party where everyone is dressed for the occasion. My personal pick is the fantastic film night, a movie night that starts at 00.00 and ends with a breakfast in the morning, 4 movies later. It’s a perfect summary of what bifff has to offer, unique atmosphere and fun, spooky movies.

WELCOME!

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Bifff | Cinemas, Festivals & events
Tour & Taxis, Avenue du Port 86C | The North
April 8th – 20th 2010

I normally do not like big movie theatres, those with 20 screens, the latest Hollywood movies and unpolite staff; and all this for an overpriced ticket. They just lost the atmosphere of my childhood, when I knew the cinema owner, and I felt the theatre as part of my house.

Here in Brussels we are fortunate to find a few nice theatres. The one I love the most is the Cinema Museum / Cinematek.

This cinema features some very old movies from great directors (many italian ones to be honest..). One of the highlights are the weekly mute film sessions, when the movie is accompained by a live piano…it’s a treat!

On the website (only French/Dutch) you can also find latest programs for other movie theatres like Flagey and its movie festivals throughout the year.

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Cinema Museum | Cinemas | Entrance € 3.00
Rue Baron Horta 9 | Center | +3225511919
Various shows daily – check website

A cinema theatre that offers you fresh independent productions is Cinema Nova. It brings an alternative, artistic and limit surpassing cinema experience.

Via plastic transparent curtains you enter into a brick wall hall way with stairs going to the cinema’s bar. This bar stays true to cinema Nova’s alternative side by offering not too common beverages at cheap prices. I recommend tasting their pear juice.

Sometimes, depends on the people working and the activities scheduled, you can also have dinner in a tranquil family like camping setting. Actually being there reminds you of being at an indoor camping site with various people hanging around in couches, having discussions at tables or performers singing or playing music.

Even if you don’t see a movie there it is worth your while to check out this laid back environment. It has something to do with the building and the reputation cinema Nova upholds. The public there can be described as a mixture of photographers, filmmakers, artists, philosophers and social engineers of various ages.

Every month there is a new theme that is being investigated. They screen contemporary as well as historic films. Nova also organises various festivals around particular subjects. The films are shown round eight and they also offer midnight screenings. On Thursday you can view short films sent in by Cinema Nova’s film creating public.

In short cinema Nova programs experimental films that don’t get the distribution or exposure they deserve. A living and strong political and critical minded group of individuals make this place a context to stimulate debate and create a strongly needed change in society.

To sum it up this place is one of the most worthwhile things to see when you are in the centre. A true pioneer in less mainstream entertainment.

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Cinema Nova | Bars, Cinemas, Restaurants (Fusion) | Meal € 7.00
Rue d’Arenberg 3 | Center | +3225112477
17:00 – 02:00 daily

When you want to see an excellent film head to cinema Vendôme. This beautiful master piece of architecture marks the beginning of Brussels’ African Hub, Matongé (check the Matongé article)

The metro Naamsepoort or porte de Namur is just around the corner and so is the UGC, the cinema where you go to see the awful Hollywood films. But Vendôme guaranties an interesting cinema outing. They show various European, Asian and African films.

Next to having an excellent film programming, Vendôme is truly a beautifully designed and decorated large building. The lights at the entrance and in the rest of the building offer a luxurious atmosphere from times long gone. There is a big circular stairway that takes you to the different screening rooms. The installation is up to date and you’ll find that there are many seats available that offer a good viewing perspective.

The cinema doesn’t host a large crowd but mostly a film respecting knowledgeable audience. During the year the Vendôme cinema offers various film festival. Like an African film festival, a short film festival, a Chinese film festival and other specialised screenings. The ticket booth at the front of the building makes you think of the alternative cinema’s of the 40’s or 60’s and going there is all together a much nicer experience than seeing a film at UGC.

Afterwards head to Matongé and experience the lively African action at the various bars and restaurants. Wandering in this neighbourhood is the most entertaining and lively experience you’ll get while visiting Brussels.

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Cinema Vendôme | Cinemas | Screening € 7.00
Waverse Steenweg 18 | Ixelles | +32206268694
18:00 – 01:00 daily

This must be Walhalla for move addicts like me. Founded in the thirties last century, the Royal Movie Archive started to build one of the most important quality movie collections in the world. The good thing for us? They are more than happy to show’n’share their treasure with us, via recently renovated Cinematek.

With classics, rare cult movies, experimental cinema, directors/actors or genres in the spotlight they provide us a nice mix of very old to more recent highlights of movie history.

Subtitles often are in Dutch/French, so you may be limited to English spoken movies. Don’t worry, we don’t ‘dub’ those in our languages.

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Cinematek | Cinemas | Movie ticket € 3.00
Baron Hortastraat 9 | Center | +32025511919
Sat – Wed 14:30, Thu 12:30, Fri 16:30 – until end of last show

Don’t tell the cute guy I used to meet in the cafe next door but I’m old enough to remember the time when we used to have a cinema in each neighborhood of the city. Unfortunately, year after year and decade after decade they all disappeared, and now we’re ‘lucky’ to have those big cinema complexes outside the city…

But some have survived here and there, nearly back from Hell… we bless the Styx to exist (the cinema is situated rue de l’Arbre Bénit, “Bénit” means “bless” in french).

It’s a little street in Ixelles, and the cinema is in a little house, offering an Art & Essay cinema programme. You’ll surely enjoy the place and the crowd around it: staff and clients are just passionate about the 7th Art. You’ll surely love to spend some rainy day over there!

Oh a little detail: this cinema has been open for more than 40 years now and it’s the only one in Brussels trying to stay open without any grant.

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Styx | Cinemas
rue de l’Arbre Bénit, 72 | Ixelles | +3225122102
First movie at 17:00 daily

This spot is a bit tricky, I must confess, but I couldn’t keep for myself this excellent spot.. so if you do not have a legal residence in Belgium you won’t be able to go back to your local place with a movie, but, even so, I’m sure you won’t regret the visit!

Why is Excellence a place you should know? Because, unlike the million other video clubs around the town, it’s not dedicated to the blockbuster but to all good movies, from many different director and countries. Visiting this place will remind you that Cinema is considered as the Seventh Art.

They have an amazing stock of movies; you can spend hours in their racks. And they do not have only old movies, but also all the newest ones…

The boutique and art gallery is also exellent… so you will be able to leave with a little souvenir!

And if you’re from the city; it’s possible to keep a movie for one week… If you organise a cineclub, please: invite me!

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Video club Excellence | Art & culture, Cinemas, Relaxing | Dvd € 3.00
Bd Anspach, 94- 96 | Center
12:00 – 23:00 daily