De Garre

If you want to try the best beer in the world, this is the place to go. An absolute must-visit for any beer lover. Make sure you try the Triple Van De Garre — it’s truly the best of the best. Rich, smooth, and incredibly flavorful, but don’t underestimate it… you’ll definitely feel drunk after just two! An unforgettable experience

This tiny, hidden place is a gem of a brew pub in the old town area of Bruges. You will have to look very carefully for the tiny ally leading from the busy street out front. They have an amazing selection of Belgian beer, but I recommend getting something from the tap. The house tripel is very good. Cheese is served with the beer and it is a perfect pairing. Definitely going back! Only downside is not much seating, so I recommend going at an off time, such as mid afternoon. Didn't try the food so I can't comment on that. Addendum: went back two more times, the beer and the vibe was that good!

Best spot in Bruges for a beer. Head upstairs and get a seat by the window. Enjoy some great artisan bread, meats, and cheeses with their great selection of Belgian beers. Cheers to the owner for being such a great host to us.

I was recommended De Garre from a friend who visited last summer and was not let down. The beer was amazing, as was the cheese and ham snacks. De Garre is truly a unique experience and nice spot that feels off the map.

They ware closed on Sep 23 when I visited them the first time but my persistent pays off! It is a legendary place for many foreign Belgian beer lovers. It is the place you need to visit for once in your lifetime! Very simple bar only sale beer and soft drinks for kids. When you order your beer, they will accompany your beer with a small plate of cheese. That’s it! But the beer is really good!

If you want to get drunk fast come to this place 😃 after the first beer I already felt that I’m tipsy. It’s a hidden gem, we found it last minute. You have to go on an alley and then the pub is on the right. This is definitely a local experience, they have such a big selection of beers. The staff is nice and the atmosphere lovely. Decent price for the beer as well. Their best one is called tripel van de garre and costs €5.8. I would recommend to ask the bartender for the best beer, they’ll give you the best one. They don’t have proper food, make sure you eat before you come here. With each beer you will get some cheese too.

This is a “Must Visit” in Brugge (Bruge)! You will miss it if you don’t look closely for the alley way. And this is NOT the Brasserie either. Once inside find a table preferably upstairs, and be seated. The bartender will come over and take your order.

If you're in Bruges and want to try an authentic craft beer, you can't miss De Garre. I recommend reading a bit about the history of this beer (which shares its name with the pub)... its flavor is unmistakable (you have to try it!). It has an 11% alcohol content and is served with a portion of cheese (a perfect and quite common combination in Belgium). The pub is very simple and located in a narrow medieval alley. A complete experience!

Oh boy this place is absolutely amazing. Just perfection with the house de garre tripel - a beer you will think about long after your visit. Tell the tour guides to stop recommending this place! It's supposed to be a secret

How do you rate a local spot that has been around for 600 years? Of course it was called zuidzeepstraatje! Translate that!! De Garr, as it is now, opened on April 21st, 1984. I do not know where to start or how to completely convey the magic of this fantastical little spot. If you love beer... yes,... if you LOVE beer... you should NOT miss this spot.

Male bartender was an absolute jerk. Not attentive and rude. We sat there for 20 minutes with empty beer.

You can feel the history in this bijoux little bar. It is hidden and has a rustic feel. The beer is great but take it from us 1 is plenty.

This was a really awesome spot to grab a beer. The space is very small. They do give you cheese at the table!! The house beer was delicious and they had Triple Karmelite which is a Belgian favorite of mine. Prices can't be beat compared to what you pay in the U.S.

BEST trippel on the planet! The consistency of the house beer, service, cheese in the doiley... what else can I say, LITERALLY THE BEST TRIPPEL ANYWHERE!!! CHEERS!

Before our visit to Belgium, I did a bit of internet sleuthing to determine where we were going to eat, drink, and make merry in our various vacation destinations. So I read travel blog after travel blog and one person mentioned this "hidden beer bar" in Bruges. My husband and I unanimously decided that we must go to this place, due to our shared love of all things hidden and beer-related. I really can't say enough good things about this bar. It's pretty much perfect. It's so perfect, we went twice in two days. Their house beer is phenomenal, and packs a punch at 11% ABV. Beers are served with cheese. The guy behind the bar upstairs remembered us. Everything is old and narrow and oh the beer. Anything your heart desires, for the most part. If you are in Bruges, just go. If you are not in Bruges, try to get yourself to Bruges and go to this bar.

Holy crap, how did we almost miss this spot? We were on our way over to look for this 11% House Beer that locals and tourists in Bruges rage about. On our way towards this side of the square, a random gentlemen stops and chats us up, but nearly leads us into another dark alleyway. No thank you sir, and oh look, I found the alley with Garre. Toodles! ...and that was the story of how we found the beer. Inside this cozy bar, you've got small tables for four, some bar stools, and a whole lot of beer. Seriously, get the house beer which comes at 11%. It's surprisingly easy to drink, to the point where you may easily over drink and seriously need to reevaluate your life. However, we never got to that point with the power of free cheese bites that they provide at each table. Service was great, friendly atmosphere, and a whole lot of beer. This was probably my favorite spot in all of Bruges and a much needed after some decent meals throughout the whole day.

Oh wow. I was concerned about the lack of bar stools when I walked in. But no need. A friend from home (Steph S., of course) sent me a listing of must-visit places in Bruges and this was strongly suggested in bold, so I knew I had to check it out. She told me to try the house tripel, so that's what I ordered once I settled in at a 4-top (and was soon joined by two guys, because it's that kind of place). The beer came with a little cup of cheese (um, love) and a whole lotta head. I texted a "holy head" because what else can you say to that much head? Once I let it settle a bit, it was a seriously wonderful drinking experience. And I generally don't even like tripels that much!! Keep in mind it's strong. Like 11%. It was buckets of fun walking down the three flights of steep steps afterward. Alas, it's been like an hour since the experience and I seem to be okay writing this review. Nonetheless, exercise caution if you're having more than one. Oh, and follow your GPS to the bar. Once you've found the creepy dark alley without much signage, you've arrived. You'll see the bar's sign once you're closer, I swear.

It's everything everyone says it is!!! It's the reason beer drinkers come to Bruges!!! Very quaint and takes you back to the time when monks brewed beer! It's like a hidden gem and when you find it you feel like you're part of a secret club!

You sneeze you'll miss it!! Next to Neuhaus chocolates in an alley. What a cool spot. Don't walk run. It's worth the drive to engage in a little history. Few free to try any of the beers but at 11 percent alcohol I'll hold off at one!!! Yummy Garre is tha bomb. I drove from brussels for a day and it was worth the trip. I am glad I rounded out 4 months I Europe with this place!!

This place is AMAZING! Do yourself a favor and put this on your MUST DO list. It is tucked down the alley next to Chez Albert (where you should be getting your Liege Waffles btw). We missed it the first time we walked by, but made another pass and WOW we are sure glad we found it! This was by far our favorite spot to drink on our trip. The atmosphere is very old and charming, almost like you are in another world. This is the kind of place I travel for, somewhere so different from what I can see at home. The house beer is to DIE FOR, at 11% go easy, but it is so delicious you could get tipsy fast. We came back twice in two days we loved it so much.

Excellent beer! Delightful atmosphere! Absolutely worth the stop! It was a little tricky to find using apple maps, so I'm grateful for the photos of the front entrance taken by visitors, making it obvious that it is located in an alley.

CASH ONLY and terrible service. They don't ask for tip though so I guess it's fair lol I fell in love with this bar just by the entrance. It's a bit hard to find but it was a cool experience. I felt like i was back in the Middle Ages. The bar itself is very cute too! The second floor wasn't open when I went but the first floor was mostly wooden and had a very soothing vibe. Their chairs are uncomfortable though. I have much to say about their service. I first thought that maybe there were racist but I think they are just rude to everyone LOL They don't answer you when you call for them. It is a small place and i was pretty close to the kitchen so i asked for some napkins and he didn't respond in any way. So i stood up and walked towards one of the servers and I didn't say anything but he literally just gave me a napkin without even looking at me. So he heard me the first time but he just ignored me lol I also asked if they have food but they said they have no food at all, and suggested we go check out other restaurants if we are hungry. We weren't too hungry and it was pouring outside so we just decided to stay. Other tables then ordered cheese and sausages so we followed (we didn't know because they don't have any English on the menu). We later realized they have a combo plate of cheese, ham, and sausages. We asked the servers about it and they kept making it seem like there was no ham and that we already ordered everything on the menu so we just didn't order any more lol I'm really not sure why they were being like that. Maybe they were sick of cutting up the stuff? Not sure. We also ordered one beer that another table was drinking and i saw our server mocking us to the other server... guess you need to be a jerk to work at this place. I would give a 5 for their beer but i was really unhappy about their service. :/

Always my last stop when I blast through Bruges, it is the last stop because before leaving, I HAVE to have the de Garre tripel (and if you have it any earlier, you are done for). It is a gorgeous, sublime brew, with both the fruity lushness that only the best tripels have, but with the stiff potent spine, that if you have more than one, will knock you on your can. This visit I just wanted a brew, but you have to find a table and act like you are whiling away the evening, but there was a handy table, and the brew came fast, and it was everything that it ever has been: the bomb. What a lush frippin' beer. Top of the evening, top of the blast through Bruges, and top drawer.

Staminee de Garre is a hidden gem for beer lovers. Not that it is not popular but finding it in the dark may not be that easy. The hidden location remind me of a speakeasy bar. While I was standing around with my GPS wondering where it is and then we just followed the crowd to Staminee de Garee. Tripel De Garre (ABV 11.5%) is the MUST order as it is the house beer and an unique one. It is surprisingly easy drinking and smooth. My Yelp friend though opting for Celis (ABV% 3.9%), a Belgain Style White beer from Austin, Texas which is brewed by world-famous Belgian brewer Pierre Celis. Service here is fast and efficient. Great place have a beer or 2 to end the night. PS I love the cheese!

This place was recommended to us by a local. It took us awhile to find but it's down a tiny alley. My husband & I were in Brugge for 3 days back in 2010 & each day we would be here right at noon for it to open. Their house beer is phenomenal & you cannot buy it anywhere; hence the reason why we stopped by every day! It's served with a side of cheese cubes which complements the malty, strong ale beer. You're limited to 3 servings of that beer per day. We hope to come back one day & hopefully they'll still offer their amazing house ale. Of all of the strong ales I've ever tasted, theirs is still my favorite.

Amazing beer. Get the Tripel Van De Garre. You will not be disappointed. Also try the Bush De Nöel, which is seasonal.

De Garre is a must visit in Bruges, if only for their beer. As the sign above the bar says 'for your health we only serve three'. Well it is strong. Check it out, down a little alley between the shops between the Market Place and The Burgh. Well worth a visit. The beer is served with a little pot of cubed cheese, a Belgian tradition that I remember as a child. A tradition that is lost in many establishments.

This spot was worth the trip alone. Definitely the best beer I had in Brugge(they are all good though!). Like all the tips/reviews said, be careful... The house beer can sneak up on you. I like how it's off the beaten path, but still close to the square. Cash only. Enjoy!!

Fantastic beer, cozy upstairs seating and friendly service. They no longer serve food, but cheese comes with every beer order and you can order a snack of sausage or pate. The place is not the easiest to find, you have to find the door width passage first, but it's worth the hunt.

The bar can be hard to find. It is between some shops down an alley. It can get pretty busy. We sat upstairs. The bar itself is old and it's a really cool spot. The beers are excellent and on the strong side. It even comes with a bit of cheese. The only downside was the bartender upstairs left to go downstairs and never came back up. There were a few other groups of people. It was a little frustrating, but I still really enjoyed this spot!

If you're having a hard time finding this place, stop in the Bottle Shop and ask directions or look for the store with the orange awning, it's just to the right of it. Quaint, cozy, and very old-world feeling. Their bottle and draft list is quite impressive, but I was there for the Tripel. In fact, the waitress came over, pointed to it on the menu, and said "You want this." Prices were pretty reasonable considering what you were getting. They sell magnums of the Tripel to take away, I believe it was 25e when I went, which I thought was pretty reasonable considering it's a gorgeous bottle with delicious inside. The offer Belgian pub grub and snacks, but the beer is obviously where this place shines. Definitely a must-visit if you're in Brugge.

Lunch menu at very democratic price, fast service and good honest food. This is what local lunch is all about.

De Garre is delicious and if you visit Bruges, you have to make a stop here! If you don't know what to order, just tell them that you want the house beer and they'll get you taken care of. And FYI the only thing you should be ordering is the house beer. But be warned it's quite strong! They serve yummy cheese with the beer and if you want to pay extra you can get a whole board of it with some mustard for dipping. Highly recommend going that route! We came here twice on our stay because it had such a cozy atmosphere and is really a place where you can relax and have a good chat after seeing the sites all day. We went to three other cities on our trip and still consider De Garre one of our favorite places to visit. I do not over exaggerate when I say we would come back to Bruges just to visit De Garre again.

A must-do on everyone's Brugges list, and deservedly so. It also gets crazy busy, but it's worth it. I'd save this one to do with a friend, not a group, just for that reason. But please, please...do not do the touristy douchebag thing and steal the cool chalices. Have some restraint, people, it's expensive enough as it is! ;)

A really unique spot filled with locals. My friend really loved their house brew which is entirely unique to their bar but for some reason I didn't really love it. It's hard to find so check out the alleyway. Very nice staff and they were able to help pick a good beer for your taste.

I was told to make sure I don't miss this place when I was in Bruges and I'm so glad that I stopped in. The De Garre Tripel is an amazing beer and I loved every drop of it. It comes with a small side of cheese, which is always nice too. It is definitely a crowded place, so I would suggest (as some others have) to come with just a few people. Come here, sit down, enjoy the beer, and be glad you're in such a great pub and gorgeous city.

This was probably the highlight of my visit to Bruges. It's located by city hall, hidden in a tiny alleyway off a main street, between two chocolate shops. My friends and I knew exactly where this hidden gem was located, but we could see why people can miss it. But if you're in Bruges, it's absolutely worth the search. Why is this place so special? They are known for their house beer: tripel de garre. It's the best Belgian beer I've tried by far. It's also the strongest beer I've had the pleasure of drinking. I've read somewhere that it's 11.5%, but I've heard from locals that it's 14%. Either way, they only let you order up to three, and for good reason. My friends and I were there for about an hour, and we saw a handful of people stumbling out, or at least trying to maintain their composure. Oh, and don't be upset they only fill a little more than half the glass with the beer (the rest is foam to prevent oxidation and alteration of taste). Even us binge drinking Americans were pretty buzzed after three. And to top it all off, they give you a small side of cheese every time you order (I'm not a cheese guru, but I believe it's white cheddar). Did I mention it's only 4 euro per glass?! Even though there are two floors, it does get crowded. I would consider this a tourist attraction, but a lot of locals come here as well. If I'm ever in Bruges again, you can bet I'm stopping by here!

I am hesitant about telling more people about this place because I want to keep it all to myself, but have to pay it forward. Finding the hidden little alley this bar is located in is tricky but worth the effort. The interior is very old timey, and feels like you just walked into someones house with two floors and a good amount of seating. They have a ton of beer and a good variety on draft, the house blend is a must try. The tapas are a perfect compliment here to the beer, the sausage was the perfect firmness and the cheeses were all good. This spot should really not be missed, can't see a trip to Brugge without it.

It's a little hard to find but well worth it. The Tripel Van De Garrett is amazing! Service is super friendly and all in all The BEST of Bruges!!

Cute little place which is oh so hard to find! it is just off the main road, where the beer museum is. You have to go to chez Albert and it is next door to that, in a really tiny alleyway. My friend got a cheese with the house beer and that was really a great cheese. I dont drink beer myself so I waited for her to be done and we looked for a cocktail bar. The waitress was kind enough to recommend one which served genever, which is what I wanted to try- super nice of her, she even opened up a travel app to show me where it was. The interior is cool, they have shot bottles as wall decor and the place itself has a cozy feel to it, lots of stone and is warm inside. Its super cute and I would visit again for sure

Fantastic quaint pub recommended by two friends who visited 10 years ago, a must try. House beer is delicious and they serve with a small sure of cheese cubes. Cash only.

This is a gem of a place! So cosy, not at all pretentious, not very expensive, hidden away in a small alleyway. We had some great beers from the extensive beer list. It's great, don't miss it. This is what a pub should be like.

De Garre was very difficult to find, but it was a cool place. We tried the La Cornet beer served in a horn just as a novelty. The house beer was also very good and the service was friendly.

This place was so cool! We stumbled around trying to find it and when we did finally find it we were already stoked to check it out. It was a very cool venue that was packed with people eating, playing cards, or fun groups. My favorite part was getting a great seat overlooking the first floor, and the fact they brought us delicious cheese with our beers. We each got the house tripel. It was phenomenal!

A bit tricky to find, but well worth the effort! You enter through a narrow alley off the main street between two touristy lace shops... if you blink, you'll miss it. It can get crowded, especially around 5:00 p.m., or what we could call "happy hour". Get here before then, or wait until around 7:00. There is seating upstairs, with a bar up there as well. This is not the kind of place you can stand and have a drink... you'll need to find a table, even if it means sharing one with another group. Their house Tripel De Garre is delicious... at 11.5% alcohol, they are smart to limit their service to 3 drinks per person.

If I could offer one piece of advice it's this: don't miss out on Tripel de Garre! In fact, it's almost worth the short train ride from Brussels just for a stop in at this bar. Hidden away at the end of a long alley, it almost feels like you are drinking in the home of an old friend. Very cozy, and a great spot (but not so well of a kept secret) where you can take a break from the hustle of playing tourist while in Bruges. The house Tripel lives up to the hype, and even if it's not your style of beer, you must try at least one. Very strong but smooth, and very easy to drink, it's not to be missed. If you don't like the Tripel (hard to believe) there are a lot of other beers on the menu for round two! ** A request: if anyone reads this and does stop in, I'm DYING for 2 of the Tripel glasses. If you live in the U.S. send me a PM and we can work out the details, but I promise I will make it well worth your while! ** Proost!

This will be the Best place you go to in Brugge. If you go to Brugge and do not come here, then you will be forced to kick your own butt. seriously. It feels like you've taken a step back in time (it has been a pub since 1515.) It is hard to believe you are actually in the center of Brugge and that if you go back out that door you will be swamped with tourists again! Yes, yes, get the Tripel!

Outstanding and hidden gem-of-a-place to enjoy excellent beer, classical music and friendly staff in an authentic European setting. The house beer is the best! Tourist-friendly.

Some of the most powerful beer I've ever drunk. This place is awesome, and terrifying. I came here twice in one day and it's safe to say that I love this place and remember little of the day. I had two house beers at lunch (they come with cheese and in small quantity) and I was particularly merry from then on. We returned that night and had one more but then had to "downgrade" to delirium tremens for fear of what would happen if we drank more of the "De Garre" beer. The bar staff were really friendly, the atmosphere is awesome and the decor is awesome. It looks like it hasn't changed since it was built. The only downside is that after you've partaken in their wares you have to navigate 3 steps. This can be quite the challenge. I would 100% recommend coming here if you're in Bruges. The place is authentic, the beer is fantastic and you won't regret it. (Though you might forget it ;))

Great place to sit and have a nice belgian beer. As a caution, their entire menu is flemish/french but the bartenders speak perfect english so dont be intimidated by the menu. They have a book type of drinks menu and alot of fruit beers (which i am a fan of). They also give you little cheeses with your drink. The place is in a really small alleyway on one of the main roads to the belfry. Its really easy to miss but definitely worth going to!

I waited a year to write this because I don't want you to know about it. The House blonde, Amber ale, Peach ale, and salami plate. DO IT. NOW. DROP WHAT YOU ARE DOING. God this place is so cozy. You would NEVER find it. It's in a little alley way that you would miss even walking back and forth passed it. Perfect for a quick stop while exploring Bruges. They have tons of craft beers, and this gem really is worth a try (or three).

Staminee de Garre was mentionned in the Routard Guide as a place we had to visit when in Brugge. Hard to find, it's a very nice place, authentic, where locals (of a certain age?) get their beer and plate of cheese for lunch. Their "triple" beer is one of the best I've ever had.

Before you go be aware that it's cash only, once you're there, enjoy! From the moment you sneak down the alley to the entrance, you know you've found something special. Tourist even eye you as you pass through the tiny passage into the alley. As you find yourself at the table follow the advise of the waiters. Start especially with their house beer, it's only served here and you can't go wrong with the house. Their beer is also served with a sharp cheese which is not only a great compliment to the beer but also great to have after the rich sweetness of Chez Albert's waffles (which I easily indulged of before entering). The beer list goes on for pages if you feel lost, just ask and trust that you'll get a good beer. It Brussles, you can't go wrong.

Love this bar! It has an authentic feel and everybody is super friendly... Which is good, since you'll probably have to share a table with strangers: most tables are for 4-6, so if you're less than that, you'll end up with other people. Concerning beers: large selection, including house beer (De Garre, strong blond on tap with complex flavours), Belgian brews, fruitbeers and gueuze. All served with cheese, a nice touch.

Amazing beer if you can find the little street. Great service and each beer comes with a little serving of cheese.

This is such a great place to take a short break for a beer while walking around Brugge! I couldn't find the alley where this bar is located so I passed it twice looking around like a crazy tourist before I followed an older couple that turned into the alley. Cozy atmosphere with two floors of seating. They had a great selection of beers but my favorite definitely had to be their house beer. My boyfriend and I sat there for a bit just enjoying our two rounds of beer and cheese (yum! I love cheese). Friendly and quick service. We were thinking about buying some beers as souvenirs/gifts and when we asked the bartender where would be a good place to shop, he recommended the Bottle Shop where we ended up buying several bottles of beer to bring back with us. Great recommendation! Really enjoyed this bar and wish I could have a glass of their house beer right now.

Really enjoyed visiting Staminee de Garre. The bar is tucked away in an alley off the Grot Market & Burg. We tried the Gulden Draak and Tripel Van de Garre. Both were devious and very strong. The bar atmosphere is very intimate with friendly bartenders. The price was approx. €4.25 each.