Ixelles – Local tips (cinemas)

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.

Details about this spot (Show on map)
Cinema Vendôme | Cinemas | Screening € 7.00
Waverse Steenweg 18 | Ixelles | +32206268694
18:00 – 01:00 daily

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.

Details about this spot (Show on map)
Styx | Cinemas
rue de l’Arbre Bénit, 72 | Ixelles | +3225122102
First movie at 17:00 daily