Not the most romantic of choices for a Valentine’s drink, but Le Cercueil (The Coffin), is a bar with a deadly twist, which can be found at number 10, Rue Harengs, situated just off Brussels’ Grand Place.

If you’re not fazed by the sight of coffins or skeletons and like the thought of drinking your beer out of a skull shaped mug while contemplating your own mortality, then Le Cercueil is definitely the place to visit.

The interior decoration is perfectly complemented by the music, which was not too overpowering and does enable you to have a conversation without busting an ear drum.

(©MRandin)

Although I detest neon lights, I found the ones in Le Cercueil bizarrely pleasant and the semi darkness, oddly romantic in this surprisingly small bar.

It appears to attract almost as much attention as the Mannekin pis, with many tourists poking their head around the door just to see what all the fuss is about. While some decided to give the place a try, the reactions of others ranged from “Oh la la” to “Quelle horreur”.

I will spare readers the close up of the guy in the table… (©MRandin)

I suppose Le Cercueil deserves full marks just for soliciting a reaction from everyone who decides to enter its dinghy corridor and walk up its dodgy stairs.

Belgians have a beer called La Morte Subite and a brasserie called A la Morte Subite. I’m not really sure why the Belgians - who are generally happy-go-lucky, positive minded people – have this inane focus on ‘instant death’.

Oh well, at least they’re good with waffles.

How about I end this post with a happy picture? (©MRandin)

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