In’t Schieven Architeck

No Longer In Business

Nice location, nice beer list, rudest staff I’ve ever encountered after 12 years in Belgium.

A weird intriguing little place near downtown Brussels with a front full of vine. A few picnic tables on the front act as a patio. The interior is clean and “different”. Like a cute bistro from 40 years ago. They had a few "house beers". The old owner/manager told me it was his own recipes and they were brewed by Van Steenberge. I tried one (the ‘n Architeck) and it tasted so generic that it hard to say that if it is truly a real house beer or a renamed Van Steenberge beer. They serve their house beers on tap and in bottles. Besides their house brews they have a very limited selection of beers. I didn’t try the food. Another strange thing about this “beer bar” is that it opens very very early, 5h30am and it closes early evening (no specific hour, this is Belgium for you). They serve breakfast so if you’re on jetlag and want a beer at 6am this is the place for you. A strange little place. Worth a pitstop, no more.

Right in the Marolles next to Place du Jeu de Balle. Bar itself has the very Brussels like atmosphere which this neighborhood is well-known for, although sitting outside next to constant traffic stops being enjoyable after a while. Nice interior, I guess blending old style with tacky modern touch. Service or lack thereof was ok, the waiter was new, had no idea about the home beer. About the only reason to go there is to try that Architeck beer. Do yourself a favor and visit Restobières about a block away.

Cool café close to the Flea Market at Place Du Jeu-de Balle and the Brussels-South station (Gare du Midi). The entrance looks like a newsstand, then a few stairs up to the service spot. The four cornered room is covered with wall paintings and stories related to Joseph Poelaert and the hexen from Marollen. Their own beers, made by Van Steenberge, are sold from tap, and in bottles to take away. Apart from their own beers and a few others listed as "les belges celebres" there is not much to choose from. However, the café is worth a visit with its relaxing homely feel, tasty cheesecakes and strong beers. Polite service. (visited 6th May 2011).

The selection of beers is not bad, but they have their own brews which are nice. They sell gift boxes with 4 beers and their glass. The food is great also. But the service is so slow and not very nice. I was desapointed.

Ordered a homebrew and i got a celis white instead. It would be better if they had real homebrews, not copies of beers with new name. Food was ok but nothing special

I agree with Joe. Not much beer really, beyond the re-named Van Steenberge stuff. Nice decor, pleasant rather bumbling service when i’ve been there. Stays cool inside in summer and warm in winter.

Not a very beery place, really, but a good place to hide from the antique hounds outside. Features a series of adequate to tasty house beers, probably made by Van Steenberge. Service was slow to bother with us. Then they declined to sell us snacks or small meals, saying we had to order the pricier, full meals or no food at all. We declined in return. Having said that, the plates going by looked pretty good. The beer selection, however, must have gone downhill lately in their efforts to push the house beer. If you’re in this neighborhood, I’d say pay a visit to Het Warm Water or Restobieres instead.

Didn’t like this place as much as Warm Water, Brocante or Restobieres which are all around the Place du Jeu de Balle. House beer was pretty standard. There was a school group there when I was there so they were a bit rushed too. Probably worth a look but go to the other places I listed too and make up your own mind.

One of my recent favourite (trappist) beer places in Brussels: good food, great selection of aged Westvleterens, 5-8 micro brewery trappist imitations- esp. Trappistenweg - excellent service! At the market place there are antique market occasionally (on Sundays?).