Summer bar reopens in Forest Park

After a four-year closure, the popular guinguette in Forest Park is back. The owners Alice Billiet and Géraldine Taymans are no strangers to the catering business and were also involved with the 2017 project from the beginning.

Since the redevelopment of Duden Park was completed last year, the neighbouring Forest Park is also becoming busier and livelier. Now, since its festive opening on 25 July complete with a swing duo, disco sets and DJ, you can also enjoy a drink in the historic guinguette.

“We absolutely wanted to open this summer. That was also a request from Forest commune,” Billiet and Taymans told La Dernière Heure. So they submitted their candidacy, together with catering group Woodpecker, and were given the green light.

On the food front, myriad options include burgers, croques, Greek sharing plates, tapas and vegetarian suggestions. For drinks you can choose local beer from Brasserie de la Senne and La Mule or home-made ice teas and lemonades.

Billiet and Taymans have not been idle over the past few years, but they told BRUZZ the summer bar was special: “It has always been our favourite project.”

Forest mayor Charles Spapens (Socialist) is also pleased, adding: “The guinguette once again offers a meeting place for all Forest inhabitants, in the middle of the renovated park.”

The guinguette will remain open every day 12.00 to 22.00 as long as the weather permits, probably until the end of September or the beginning of October, with Billiet and Taymans adding: “On weekends, we are thinking of opening a little earlier.”

The park’s four-year renovation has covered not only its paths, benches and lighting, but also the picturesque chalet. This will soon be given a new purpose as another catering business, also led by Billiet and Taymans.

The pair submitted a successful application for this project, together with Woodpecker, Forest mayor Charles Spapens (Socialist) confirmed to BRUZZ. The opening is scheduled for spring 2026.

The owners are focusing on a slightly more formal atmosphere with this venture, adding: "The guinguette remains a place where you can come and have a drink or hang out without any obligation to buy, while the chalet will become more of a restaurant."