Flamingo

Flamingo is the city’s newest and largest bar. It’s a creation by the famous bar guru Frederic Nicolay, and is a whopping 400 square metres big. It’s located at the very end of Rue de Laeken, but you won’t regret the trip ‘all the way’ there.

Just like Barbeton, Flamingo is located on a corner, which guarantees a big terrace. Too bad the weather doesn’t give us much time to sit outside these days. The terrace is well equipped to make the most of every ray of sunlight, as mirrors on the building over the road reflect them all.

Luckily there are plenty of seats inside. I was a bit confused by the interior though. You can see it’s a very old building (the facade is listed). The ceiling has some interesting plaster work going on, but the walls … are dark or mint green. Not my favourite colours, I must admit.

To serve the many people that fit in Flamingo, the bar comes with an enormous counter. The drinks menu features a couple of bottled beers and some on tap, cocktails (of which Flamingo sounds a very interesting choice, no idea what it’s made of but I bet/hope it’s pink!). I was very happy to see some of my favourite drinks on the menu too; half & half (white wine and sparkling wine), Pimm’s and elderflower cordial.

I visited the bar with my brother around lunchtime. It was rather busy, as there are plenty of offices in the area. We both went for a sandwich, which means you’ll get a jam jar with your topping, bread and butter, for you to compose your own lunch. The same system as at Bar du Matin in Forest.

Kudos to the staff, who work fast, speak all sorts of languages and are patient with customers at the counter who can’t make a choice (there is a lot to chose from!).

I’ll definitely go back for drinks in the evening as well. It will be a different atmosphere and I wonder how much the area would change once daylight has gone. The end of Rue de Laeken is a notorious playground for drug dealers and prostitutes, which is why Nicolay opted for this part of town. He likes to settle down in an unpopular area and lift the image with a great bar. It worked for Potemkine near Porte de Hal, so if history repeats itself…

Also good to know: Flamingo serves daily breakfast and brunch on Sundays.

177 Rue de Laeken, open every day