This was the best of Brussels in 2017

Have you ever stayed at the Sleep Well youth hostel? Eaten at Le Local? Been to the Brussels Electronic Marathon? Then you can weigh in on whether you think VisitBrussels, the capital’s tourist agency, showered praise in the right places.

These and six other events and venues won VisitBrussels Awards for 2017. They were voted on by the public, so locals had the chance to weigh in as well as visitors to the city.

The most popular events and venues according to the public then went to a professional jury, which whittled them down to nine. Those three above won best hotel newcomer, gastronomic concept and evening experience, respectively.

Then there was Bozar’s Brussels is a Plaizier, voted best exhibition for its look back at the publishing house Plaizier, showing its image library of vintage photos and postcards. (Cars in Grand’Place anyone?)

BIFFF makes us proud

Best international event, however, went to Art Brussels, one of Europe’s favourite annual art markets. This year’s edition takes place next month.

Best new event location, meanwhile, was won by La Tricoterie in Saint-Gilles, while the best public initiative was Kiosks in the Parks, which saw Brussels’ environmental agency setting up lovely wooden, covered kiosks in green spaces, complete with tables, chairs and food.

Brussels From Above was the favourite unexpected & original concept. The online project shows the Brussels skyline from unusual locations people can’t normally reach.

Finally, the best international congress was, rather delightfully, the first BIF Market. Part of the Brussels International Fantastic Film Festival, the market let producers and investors check out horror, sci-fi and fantasy movie scripts or works in progress. The second edition of the BIF Market takes place next week.