Brussels' guinguettes being set up, but no firm opening date

Brussels’ open-air cafes are being set up in city parks for the summer season, but due to delays and administrative problems, they are not yet authorised to open, reports RTBF.

With the sunny weather and a long weekend beckoning, city folk are impatient for the annual guinguette season to get underway.

"Many people ask us when they'll open, and we don't have much of an answer," explains Vincent Rutten, who is in charge of setting up the six outdoor cafes.

Although he and his teams have received the green light for their installation, the venues’ operator is still waiting for all the necessary permits.

Earlier this year, there was a risk that the guinguettes would not be opening at all this year due to the lack of a new government in the Brussels region.

It was then confirmed that they would be going ahead, albeit with a delay. According to Brussels Environment, only a few administrative formalities remain. However, the Brussels agency is not offering a precise timetable.

While waiting for the green light — potentially in a few days—these are the open-air cafes finalising their installation and getting ready to welcome visitors: Cinquantenaire Park (Maurice), Laeken Park (André), Parc Roi Baudouin in Jette (Fabiola), Duden Park in Forest (Emile), Georges Henri Park in Woluwe-Saint-Lambert (Henri), and Parc du Bon Pasteur in Evere (Vincent)

Photos: ©Visitbrussels/JP Rémy