The "guinguettes" in several parks in Brussels are back: from Wednesday, the first four parks are opening in the Parc Georges Henri, Parc Duden, Parc Roi Baudouin and Parc du Cinquentenaire. The others will follow later this week.
The popular summer bars took a little longer to open this year as there were doubts about the financing of the guinguettes, in the absence of a new Brussels Government. Then, the Brussels Environment agency launched a call for projects to appoint a single operator for the six Brussels summer bars in the regional parks.
In the meantime, the agency has reappointed the company Barc – which has been at the helm of the project since the start – as operator for the 2025 season.
The first four to open their doors today are guinguettes Henri (Parc Georges Henri), Maurice (Parc du Cinquantenaire), Emile (Parc Duden) and Fabiola (Parc Roi Baudouin).
Later this week, the guinguettes André will follow in the Parc de Laeken (Friday 9 May) and Vincent in the Parc du Bon Pasteur in Evere (Saturday 10 May).
Free activities
Like every year, there are numerous free activities (such as creative workshops, plant exchange fairs, acoustic concerts, dance and yoga lessons, board games and petanque tournaments) on the programme, organised in collaboration with local residents and associations.
However, what's new this summer are bicycle repair moments, intended to stimulate "active mobility". Additionally, repair cafés are also organised.
Brussels Environment emphasised that the operator of the summer bars works as much as possible with local and organic products. For deliveries, operator Barc works together with Urbike.
The summer bars are open from Monday to Sunday, from 11:00 to 22:00.
