As the summer and the holidays approach, after having been deprived of the experience for too long, we find ourselves longing even more to sit out on a terrace at a café or restaurant and sip a fruity cocktail, a craft beer or a glass of fine wine. Luckily, the Charleroi Metropolitan Area is packed with characterful watering holes where you can easily while away an evening among friends!

Taste unusual beers at l’Impérial

Smack bang in the historical centre of Thuin,  l’Imperial is the ideal place to quaff a freshly poured beer out on the terrace. Located on the Place du Chapitre, at the foot of the Belfry, this warm and friendly establishment is the only place where you can find La Résilience on tap. This beer, brewed mainly during lockdown, is the result of a collaboration between the Brasserie du Fou du Roi de Thuillies and L’Imperial.

This bar is also a hub for encounters between new people and new ideas: from tasting evenings, zythology courses and concerts, it has something for everyone!

Blahblah Wine: for the finer things in life

Located on Charleroi’s bustling Rue de Marcinelle, the wine bar Blahblah Wine is an intimate and warm setting where grape varieties and flavours intermingle: whether you are drinking by the glass or the bottle, you can enjoy some very special wines, sourced from a wide range of locations.

In addition to its impressive wine list, Blahblah Wine also offers a series of tapas and platters all concocted using the region’s finest produce.

The icing on the cake: this establishment also doubles as an upmarket delicatessen. Simply stop by the counter on your way out and pick up a bottle of something tasty, a cheese or top quality ham: your guests are bound to be delighted.

Vanilla Sky: a relaxed rooftop lounge

Perched on the most beautiful rooftop in Fleurus, Vanilla Sky, is a dream location for whiling away those balmy summer evenings. With its relaxed, lounge-like vibe, you can graze on varied and plentiful tapas and wash them all down with your signature cocktail.

Gaming and boardgames at Spawn Bar

Founded a few years ago by a group of friends, Spawn Bar in Charleroi is a haven for gamers of all kinds: between Fifa tournaments and rounds of Sex on the Beach, the evenings will fly by!

The bar also stocks a range of board- and card games. Looking for relaxed and fun things to do with friends this summer? Look no further!

Tell Me Wine: calling all Italophiles

Situated in Montigny-le-Tilleul, Tell Me Wine certainly gets the seal of approval from the region’s Italians. This is not by chance: this wine bar, also a wine merchant and high-end delicatessen, is full of Italian specialities. Oenology evenings and themed tastings are held regularly: curious minds won’t be able to resist.

L’Atelier de la Manufacture Urbaine: a place like no other

Have you ever imagined having a drink in the middle of a brewery, with the scent of malt and hops hanging in the air? That is exactly what you’ll find at the Atelier de la Manufacture Urbaine: equal parts trendy restaurant, beer pub, deli and brewery, the Atelier invites you to take a seat in the heart of the action, in a modern and warm setting, to sample a local beer and contemplate the ancestral know-how that’s gone into it. You will also be able to sample Gimmius Gin, Charleroi’s very own gin!

Quality time with friends at the Brasserie de l’Eden

Situated in the Eden cultural centre in Charleroi, the Brasserie de l’Eden welcomes you from Monday to Friday, from 17:00 to 22:00. In addition to a range of craft beers and several house cocktails, the Brasserie offers all manner of tapas and platters, as well as a dessert menu that’ll have you salivating. Whether out on the terrace or nestled away inside, you will love the relaxed and friendly atmosphere of the Brasserie de l’Eden if you’re looking for a drink or a bite to eat with friends.

Aux Millésimes: an explosion of flavours

Open from Tuesday to Saturday, this wine bar in Chimay offers high quality wines hailing from small-scale producers opting for production methods that are in harmony with the environment. Alsace, Bordeaux, Bourgogne, the Rhône Valley, Gascogne, Languedoc, Spain and Italy… You will find some unique products from the major wine-producing regions: guaranteeing you an evening that will leave your taste buds tingling.

For those who prefer the hop to the grape, the establishment also offers an extensive range of beers from Chimay. And for hardier folk, the menu also includes a number of spirits!

In de Tir’Bouchon geen gebrek aan delicatessen!

Along the road from Philippeville to Nalinnes, Tir’Bouchon ushers you into its sophisticated yet laid-back environment where you can sit back and drink a glass of something delicious and enjoy the peace and quiet. On the menu: fruity and tart cocktails, a special rum, gin and whisky selection as well as Italian antipasti platters to die for.

The establishment also boasts a terrace under cover and a garden for patrons to enjoy on sunny days. Easy to access too, the Tir’Bouchon offers free parking.

Make the most of summer at Nautique Lodge

Specialising in cocktails, the Nautique Lodge in Seneffe will take your taste buds on a journey of exploration: from raspberry and redcurrant caipirinhas, Italian citrus-infused gin, and a creation based on vodka, honey and ginger ale, you are all set to enjoy a raucous summer evening! For any hunger pangs, you can fill up on delicious burgers and tapas.

With its ideal waterside location, this establishment also offers gastronomic overnight stays on board the Rand’Eau, a small barge moored opposite the bar. For the price of 250€ for two, you are sure to spend an unforgettable night with a bottle of cava, a three course meal (including a bottle of wine and soft drinks) and a continental breakfast upon waking.

Rediscover regional specialities at Chez Toine

Within the Espace Arthur Masson in Treignes, the Chez Toine café welcomes you in a laid-back setting and has a range of regional specialities to quench your thirst, such as the local aperitifs Petit Wallon or Molignette or even an apple liqueur. The café also has a range of regional specialities to be eaten in or taken away: between the escavèche, jams and preserves, mustards and various aperitifs, you will find yourself spoiled for choice.

The house speciality is Toine beer. You can either sample it there and then in its stoneware tankard or take some bottles home with you to present to your friends. All you have to do is decide between the blonde and the brune! Whether you find yourself in Charleroi, Fleurus, Montigny-le-Tilleul, Chimay, Nalinnes, Seneffe, Treignes, Thuin or anywhere else in the Metropolitan Area for that matter, there is always the perfect place for making memories with your nearest and dearest over a round of your favourite drinks. It’s time to make the most of them!