Hangar 41, Antwerp

Chic and trendy—this is the place to be when you are in need of a drink and good company. Expect to mingle with budding fashion designers and such clientèle, as you sip your way through the eclectic bar list, listening to live music in the background. The futuristic interiors of this basement bar are embellished by a good-looking wait staff that hastens to add a generous garnishing of strawberries or a dollop of vodka to your choice of poison. Thursday evenings are the best, when the place gets buzzing, but be prepared to jostle for space. This is also a great place for a traditional breakfast or a quick Belgian snack, if you can manage to grab a table on the terrace, facing the waterfront.