CLUBS BRUSSELS

lf clubs were like chocolate

Brussels offers eyeiything from acid and techno beats to deep house and it's just a shot plane ride away. The town that dances until dawn is Quite a selection box . . .

If The Fuse i208 rue Blaes) was a chocolate it would be the caramel cup. Having played host to some of the finest DJs in Europe Since it opened in 1994. Fuse has a breezy self-confidence abOut it and with good reason. Residents Pierre. Deg and T-Ouesl ensure that the dance floor is always filled Wllll happy campers as they crank it up to the max. The Fuse is spread over two floors and is all about the music. One Sunday a month it hosts Le Demence. one of the main gay house nights in Belgium. A silky. sweet night is guaranteed.

Who's Who Land we de Poinconi would be more of a strawbern; cream trendy and colOuitul. This has the glitz appeal that the Fuse is lacking. Clubbing connoisseurs may have lost the faith SlllCO :ts fairly recent playlist overhaul. but there's still plenty of funnage to be had. Saturday nights feature live jazz-funk and quality house. A tasty little number if ever there was one.

lbi/a revellers may be familiar wrth La Pacha (/11 rue de L'ECuyc-ri -- think flovv/er power. funk and soul. And a lot of fun. A succitilent Turkish delight.

you nught say.

WIN A WEEKEND IN BRUSSELS

But let's put clubbing aside for a second and revel in the wonders of pub life. Or rather the wonders of DJ bars. We all know what it's like. You're settled in for the night on a comfy sofa. tipple happily in hand. and then the barman says those unforgivable words: ‘Last orders.‘ A shrill reminder that the fun is over. Not so in them there Belgian parts. Last orders are merely a frame of mind. with most bars open until 3am. if not later depending on the temperament of the barman. Better still, many of the bars morph into clubs later.

Dali’s Bar (35 Petite rue de Bouchers) and Le Roy Espagne (1 Grand Place) are the orange creams of the choccie box faithful favourites that won't disappoint. Dali's is small and pleasantly reminiscent of a chillout room. decked out with Salvador Dali prints and surreal furniture. Having stumbled along the grimy lane to get there. it's like you've wandered into an untapped treasure trove. Arteaspoon (1 1 rue des Chartreul is worth a visit for the cocktail menu alone. This art gallery-come- restaurant is an animated watering hole. decked out in minimalist decor.

L’Acrobat (14—16 rue Borgyal) is kitsch and cheap. Ignore the scruffy surrounds and enjoy the disco-heuse and funk. Plusl it's open until 6am.

If Brussels itself was a chocolate. it would be the hazelnut cream. Takes a while to get to the core but when you're there. it's well worth the wait. (Anna lvlillarl

Excess Bagga e

Festivals, f/ig ts and fabulous fares

I FANCY CLUBBING IN Paris? Stupid question. Who doesn't fancy a night Clubbing in France’s beautiful capital with quality establish- ments such as the Rex and the Locomotive to choose from? Well peeps. you have called and STA has answered. lt's offering all fresher students the chance to win one of 30 flights going a-beggin'. To enter simply log on to www.statravel.co.uk. And if you aren't feeling lucky (or aren‘t lucky enOugh to still have the perks of studentdom), then just get in contact with those thoughtful folks at Eurostar who'll happily take you to gay Paree from as little as 3235 return.

I THE LORD OF THE Rings whetted the appetite and Lonely Planet New Zealand makes it a reality. LP’s 11th edition contains over 120 detailed maps, comprehensive accommodation listings, a special section on Maori culture and art, as well as an extreme activities chapter. A must-have and a snip at £12.99. Check out www.lonelyplanet.co m for general travel news, destination facts, maps and the travellers’ bulletin board.

I WE'RE FAIR SOULS here at List Towers, so it WOuld seem a cruel injustice not to mention the Rough Guides latest literary offerings. Launching with England.

Travel

France. India and China, the new RG chronicles are aimed at students. travellers and enthusiasts everywhere. Coming in

lit;

at £7.99 this is perfect reading material for the travelling connoisseurs among us.

I BARGAIN OF THE fortnight: Ryanair has launched a new £9.99 fare from Glasgow Prestwick to the Irish capital of Dublin. Log on to www.ryanair. com to book your tix and get more information. Ryanair also offers competitive flights to Brussels, Oslo, Frankfurt, Paris and London - check out the website for more details. Look out for new European routes soon to be announced.

I LOG ON TO expedia.co.uk for some of the best last minute offers on the web. If you were enthused by our Snow Patrol winter sports feature last issue. you should check out its range of ski holidays starting at £336 for seven nights in Geneva. If that seems like too much hard work. you c0uld think abOut a ‘shopping break' in the run-up to Christmas. Flights to Rome, Milan and Madrid start at £103.

Brussels.

RYANA‘IRcoM

(rile-Low FARES AIR'LINE

and address.

I For the chance to Win a weekend break in Brussels for two. just answer the Question below. Winners will fly on Ryanair from Glasgow Prestwick and enjOy a two-night stay at the Novotel Grand'Place. which is perfectly located in the heart of the City. prowding easy access to all the top bars and clubs in

Which famous artist has a bar named after him?

Answers on an email marked ‘Brussels' to promotions@list.co.uk or on a postcard to The List, 14 High St, Edinburgh, EH1 1TE. Deadline for entries is 2 December 2002. Please include a daytime telephone number

TERMS & CONDITIONS E'fi;i"‘.‘. "‘.i‘;'. tn» o..." 11”, _.(:<'llf; of age

READER OFFER If you are planning a yiSit to Brussels. why

not take advantage of the great rates being offered to List readers by the Novotel Grand'Place? Stay at this lovely hotel. with bed and breakfast in a d0uble room, for just 125 euros (arOund E80) the usual rate is 190 euros. The offer is for Friday. Saturday and Sunday nights until 31 March 2003 or for any day of the week between 15 December 2002 and 1:3 .Jan 2003. To book. just call the direct on o 32 2 514 3333 and quote The List Offer'. Now there's an offer you can't refuse!

.. .'.‘i"."(:i5. 'iiiist "old a '.a§itl passport lizli‘sfe's to and from the hotel we the responsibil t". of the winner flights and Lotus a'e scum". tt‘ .3. :li; Luau/t (l’2.£t".f,‘f lime "ll.f;i l)(: fit)’l‘[)l(ft(ffi t>;. 3‘- Marrtl‘ 90:21“. Competition coordinated b, the Belgian lcuiist ()ffirte "Hr/12', et' 9.” °.""i‘;‘:<){l"i lle‘fil ()ffu: or IN)! sf's iiiaili'ig list please In<:'i.(le 'NO‘ on guru! (.‘ll‘t'ill oi postcard

Brussels 3. ‘.'..ii.onia If you do NOi ‘.‘.I:;,'t .'

1-1 .78 NW» 3001? THE LIST 117