Hops Café

No Longer In Business

Went there on a Tuesday evening at 8pm (May 27, 2014) and it was closed. Went on to the Six Roses and they said there is was closed indefinitely.

Tap list had some nice Belgian beers. There’s no bottle list, just go and look in the fridge. When I was there the fridge was more or less empty except for a few standard Brewdog bottles. It’s a long way from the centre. Probably not worth the trip.

Not too big and not crowded. Playing loud metal music (at least that is what I think it is), too old for that. Asked for French beer, did not have. Limited selection of taps, bartender did not offer any list of bottles, seemed not interested.

Maybe it was just a one-time mistake, but the bar opened only 1 hour after the liste opening hour. Nothing was said about the late opening until 15 minutes before the opening (45 minutes after the liste opening hour - not the one on RB, but the one on their door). I was one of the two only customers in the place. Music was very loud for such a small place. There was only 6 taps (there’s usually 8) with some decent beer (XX Bitter and Abt 12). I picked the only one on board I hadn’t ticked yet (Queue de Charrue Rouge) and it was awful so it didn’t helped the overall experience. Bottle selection was also pretty thin. The guy who worked there told me there was usually a lot more bottles, but he sold a ton last week... maybe. Prices were good, especially with their happy hour rebate (20% off on draft). Overall, this place wasn’t a good experience for me. I would stick with La Capsule (or Monk’s Café) if I’m in Lille for beers. I really don’t understand how this place can be rated as high as La Capsule. But again, maybe I was just there at the wrong time... maybe.

I really don’t get why this place gets such a high ratings. A few Belgian brews on tap, certainly not a lot of special stuff, more like St Bernardus and Moinette... Very small bottle selection in the fridge. Almost no people, way too loud music. Won’t return, La Capsule is a far cooler place then this bar.

Good place it’s and difficult to choose the best between this bar or la capsule .. Anyway good selection of beer very good ambience and fantastic guy behind the bar ..

Hops cafe is one of the best bars in Lille. There is always a great selection of local beers on tap, and the selection changes frequently. There is also an good selection of bottles incase you can’t find what you are looking for on tap. Stephane, the owner knows his products well and it a fantastic host. The atmosphere is causal and usually caters to the local college crowd. There are often fun events at the bar.

Awsome beer (IPA, brown ale, ..) and great ambiance! I still miss the croque-monsieurs