The Irish student benchmark
Patrick Foley’s bar is a really popular spot where a lot of Erasmus students enjoy to meet. They even have events on most days, such as Karaoke, Bingo, live traditional Irish music or the Monday Night bar quiz; so there is plenty of atmosphere to be found here. Foley’s is also known for doing fantastic food, which fuses both traditional Belgian and Irish dishes. Moreover, there is an outdoor area in the back so you can make the most of the summer months!
Address and contact :
Patrick Foley's Irish Pub & Restaurant, Recollettenlei 10, 9000 Gent
Tel: +32 9 2250 885
Website: www.foleys.be
For cocktail lovers
This is the place to be if you love great cocktails. Cocktail Hollywood has the perfect recipe for a great night out; fantastic atmosphere, friendly service, and most importantly a broad and varied selection of unique cocktails! They are widely considered to be the best ones in the city.
Address and contact :
Hollywood Cocktailbar, Ter Platen 3, 9000 Gand
Tel : +32 494 43 57 51
Website : www.hollywoodgent.be
Drinking outside the box
If you want to try something new then Jigger’s is the perfect bar for you! Jigger’s is unique because the menu changes every week and around the seasons. Skilled bartenders can offer great advice and can create a cocktail based on your likings and tastes. Most of the ingredients come straight from local farms.
With the new outdoor terrace and the new seats, Jigger’s is a lovely place to relax with some friends in the summer. But be wary, during winter it’s better to make a reservation otherwise there may be a long wait.
Address and contact :
Jigger's, Oudburg 16, 9000 Gent
Tel : +32 9 335 70 25
Website: www.jiggers.be/
Jazzy vibes
If you like Jazz and live music, then I highly recommend you go to Hotsy Totsy. Hotsy Totsy is a charming bar with a lot of character, sporting a 1920’s aesthetic and an old-fashioned atmosphere. Aside from the drinks and live music, there is also some fun to be had at the pool tables and the wide selection of board games. Throughout the year you can find stand-up comedy, cabaret and poetry readings, so there's something for everyone here.
Address and contact :
Hotsy Totsy, Hoogstraat 1, 9000 Gent
Tel : +32 9 224 20 12
Website: https://cafe.startpagina.be/about/hotsy-totsy
For beer lovers
Kaffee De Planck is a nicely renovated inland navigation boat, renowned for its extensive list of beers including more than 200 different varieties. De Planck also serves an excellent homemade beer, brewed in the traditional way, under the name "Planckske".
As a true bon vivant, you will find exactly what you are looking for in this chat and beer café: a delicious beer, delicious light snacks and friendly people. If you’re visiting Kaffee De Planck during the summer months, make sure to get a spot on the terrace of the upper deck and enjoy your beer accompanied by the good weather.
Address and contact :
Kaffee De Plank, Ter Platen 9000 Gent
Tel : + 32 478 76 94 16
Website : http://www.deplanck.be/
For lovers of geneva
It may not be the smallest, but it sure is the most peculiar Belgian geneva-café in the whole of Flanders and surrounding areas. With a total of more than 200 kinds of Belgian geneva, a number of which is home-made like the world famous Vanille Jenever, you have got plenty to choose from to find the perfect drink for your tastes.
Pol, the owner, has been collecting and pouring hundreds of kinds of Dutch gin in his little establishment on the Groentenmarkt square for over 30 years.
Address and contact :
' T Dreupelkot, Groentenmarkt 12, 9000 Gand
Tel : + 32 9 224 21 20
Email : www.dreupelkot.be
A bar for head bangers
This café certainly isn’t like the other bars. Rock Circus is the best place to go in Gent if you want to enjoy your night out with a great variety of classic rock tunes. You will have the opportunity to choose among 58 special barrel beers and there is also a large collection of whisky, always within an energetic atmosphere. You won’t have any difficulties finding the bar, because it’s located in Overpoort, which is the most infamous place to party all night in Ghent.
Address and contact :
Rock Circus, Overpoortstraat 22, 9000 Gent
Tel : no phone number
Website : http://www.rockcircusgent.be
Breathtaking view of the Lys river
If you are in the hustle and bustle of the center of Ghent and can use some time to chill out and relax, then know that there is a little oasis in the middle of the heart where you can sit down by the river with a drink and have a chat. Easily one of the most unique and best outdoor seating areas in the city. You can even go to Barrazza to experience some of the nightlife! Barrazza is also considered the best gay and straight friendly café in Ghent.
Address and contact :
Barrazza, Hoefslagstraatje 6, 9000 Gent
Tel : +32 472 94 53 24
Website : https://www.barrazza.com/
Homeplace of the Ghentian Student
The Pi-Nuts is “the place to be” when you are a student in Ghent. This is due to its broad assortment of beers, Gin and last but not least shots. Every day of the week there is a resident dj @ work and they are always updating their special promos. The crew behind the bar is very friendly and motivated, making it a great place to make new friends and connect with other students.
Address and contact :
Pi-nuts, Graaf Arnulfstraat 8, 9000 Gent
Tel : + 32 9 233 10 10
Email : http://www.pi-nuts.be/
A traditional local bar
The Krawietelke is a well-known bar for students who live in “de denderstreek” and also by students who study at the University of Ghent. Being so close to the student population, the atmosphere is great and gets even better on the second floor, where you can find a soccer table and a nice interior. The bar is a good preserved “brown” pub with its charms. This bar is recommended when you want to finish your day off with a nice beer and friendly people.
Address and contact :
Krawietelke, Graaf Arnulfstraat 2-8, 9000 Gent
Tel : 0479 85 89 70
Website: no website