Located at the crossroads of the major European capitals (London,

Paris, Amsterdam, Berlin), Brussels is one of the most gay friendly

cities in Europe. With its myriad of neighbourhoods, each with its

own unique atmosphere, the city is divided into two main parts:

in the lower town, the Saint-Jacques area, centred round Rue du

Marché au Charbon , is the heart of gay life in Brussels. Then,

there's the Dansaert area, the Grand Place, the Sablon and the

Marolles. The upper town is home to the luxurious Avenue Louise

as well as the Châtelain district, an absolute must for seekers of

the dolce vita in Brussels.

This guide lists the best "gay" hotspots in the capital as well as

the essential tourist sites. With its many bars, restaurants, night-spots,

shops, museums and events, Brussels is a welcoming place

that invites you to party until dawn. True to the reputation of the

capital, Brussels' gay scene is discrete, varied and warm, as illustrated

by portraits of the city's inhabitants included in this Gay

Friendly Brussels guide.