“What are we doing on Saturday?” The message lands in the group chat, and the answer is usually the same: a drink, then dinner. Yet Brussels offers dozens of activities to enjoy with friends, from the quietest to the liveliest, indoors and out, for three people as well as fifteen.
Here are fifteen ideas for things to do with friends in Brussels, each with the format that works best and the budget to expect. At the end, our tips for choosing according to group size.
1. A creative workshop to do together
Perfume, jewellery, candle, clay or mosaic: two hours around a table creating, chatting and each leaving with your own piece. It is the activity that puts everyone on the same level, with no competition. At Break-it, on Rue de Flandre in Brussels, the creative workshops can be freely combined: two friends can do two different workshops at the same table, from €35 per person.
2. An evening at a board game bar
Hundreds of games freely available, tables for groups and often a host to explain the rules. The most affordable option on this list: the price of your drinks, sometimes a flat fee of a few euros per person. Perfect for a weeknight.
3. An escape room
An hour of puzzles in a team of three to six. Brussels has dozens of rooms, from the centre to the outer communes, with scenarios for every level. Expect €25 to €35 per person; for groups larger than six, book two rooms in parallel.
4. Karaoke in a private box
A room just for you, unlimited playlist, drinks served on the spot. Zero embarrassment in front of strangers. Boxes take 6 to 15 people, at €10 to €20 per person per hour, more on Saturday nights.
5. Bowling or indoor mini-golf
The classic that works with everyone, including those who dislike games. Several venues around Brussels combine lanes, mini-golf and a bar. Expect €8 to €15 per game per person.
6. A food tour
Fries, chocolate, beer, waffles, but also the world cuisines of Matonge or Saint-Gilles: guided food tours last two to three hours and string together five to seven tastings. Between €40 and €70 per person, which in practice covers a meal.
7. A weekend market followed by brunch
On Sunday mornings, Brussels markets (Gare du Midi, Flagey, Châtelain on Wednesday evenings) make for a tasty stroll. Follow up with brunch in the neighbourhood: €20 to €35 per person, no booking needed for small groups.
8. A street-art walk
The centre, the Marolles, Saint-Gilles or the canal: Brussels has hundreds of murals, including the comic strip trail. Free on your own with a map, €15 to €25 per person with a guide who tells the stories behind the works.
9. An unusual museum
Beyond the big museums, Brussels hides surprising collections: musical instruments, sewers, the fantastic, video games, outsider art. A ninety-minute visit for €5 to €15, often free on the first Sunday of the month.
10. An open-air cinema or a rooftop in summer
From June to September, open-air screenings and pop-up rooftops multiply. The chance of an evening under the sky for the price of a cinema ticket or a drink. Arrive early: seats go fast.
11. Ice rink or swimming pool
Ice rink in winter, open-air pool or historic baths the rest of the year: an accessible physical activity for €5 to €12 per person, which naturally ends over a hot chocolate or an ice cream.
12. A bento cake workshop
Everyone frosts, pipes and decorates their own mini cake, then takes it home in its box or shares it on the spot. A sweet workshop that works very well for 4 to 12 people, at €55 per person, materials and cake included.
13. An urban treasure hunt
A treasure hunt or a mystery to solve while crossing the city, on an app or with a booklet. Two hours of walking and puzzles for €10 to €25 per person, ideal for groups who enjoy friendly competition.
14. A pub quiz night
Several Brussels bars run a weekly quiz, in French, English or both. Free entry or a few euros per team, a good-natured competitive atmosphere and often a prize for the winning team.
15. A picnic in a park
Bois de la Cambre, Parc de Bruxelles, Josaphat, Cinquantenaire, Tour & Taxis: everyone brings something and the afternoon stretches out. Almost no cost, a group of any size, and a board game or a ball is enough to keep it going.
By group size
- 2 to 4 people: anything goes, including escape rooms, food tours and workshops without booking.
- 5 to 10 people: book ahead and favour activities where you do something together (workshop, karaoke, treasure hunt).
- More than 10 people: go for a venue you can privatise or a parallel activity (two escape rooms, two different workshops at the same table, a park).
Budget per person
Free or almost: picnic, self-guided street-art walk, pub quiz. Between €5 and €20: museum, ice rink, bowling, board game bar, treasure hunt. Between €25 and €40: escape room, karaoke, jewellery, candle, clay or mosaic workshop. Above €40: food tour, bento cake, perfume workshop. A good rule: announce the budget in the group before booking.
Break-it welcomes groups of friends in its studio at Rue de Flandre 73, Brussels, daily from 10am to 8pm: creative workshops of your choice, freely combined, from €35 per person, for a spontaneous outing, a birthday or a hen party. Write to us to book a table.
