New database features 700 Brussels cultural venues

Finding a venue to host an event in Brussels has been made easier with the launch of an online guide to every cultural venue in the region, from theatres and cinemas to youth clubs, museums and artists' residencies.

Spots.brussels is a partnership between tourism agency Visit Brussels and the regional events planning agency, Perspective Brussels.

It is a search engine that individuals but also associations and professionals can use to find an appropriate and available venue to either produce something or enjoy as a spectator.

The site aims to provide the user with the most complete information on each venue, including the capacity and the size, and the types of activities be they art exhibitions, concerts, neighbourhood parties, cooking classes or adult education.

Rien van de Wall of Perspective Brussels said: "The user can filter the information to his or her specific needs to location or activities or some other data.

"For the launch we have over 700 venues listed but it’s an ongoing process and we will keep adding venues and as cultural operators discover the tool they will also fill in the information on their venues.

"For the time being it is only in Dutch and French but we plan to add English."

Meanwhile, Visit Brussels has another, completely different addition to its publications on enjoying Brussels - a small booklet called Brussels by Designers.

Aimed at fans of design aesthetics and style, it’s an invitation to get off the beaten track and discover original places.

To begin with, furniture and product designer Marina Bautier lists a dozen of her favourite places to eat. Then Damien Gernay, designer of limited edition pieces in leather wood or metal, shares his dozen favourite places to drink.

Teacher and designer Jean-François d’Or presents his 16 favourite places to visit and fashion designer Gioia Seghers lets us in on her favourite 14 places to shop. The editors have also listed their favorite interesting, hip hotels and a practical section with maps and addresses.

The book is in English, costs €8.50 and is available at the reception desk of Visit Brussels as well as in several bookshops around town.