Paters Vaetje

GCBrewingCo

North Carolina

4.5/5  rDev +11.4%
vibe: 4.5 | quality: 4.5 | service: 4.5 | selection: 4.5 | $$

Paters is in a very nice position just behind Der Kathedral. On the map it appears to be on a street, but in reality the outdoor seating is just a hop, skip and a jump from the Kathedral walls. We were situated outside under an umbrella on a very hot September day. The umbrella was brought out upon request. The inside of the place is very small but there was an upstairs area which becons from above the bar.

Our service was immediate upon arrival at the table which was already occupied by friends. Our server was a young lass and she was both precise and timely with all beverages.

The beer list appeared to only have 5 drafts, but was long with regard to the offerings. Paters does not take Credit Cards, but who cares, make sure you hit a cash machine before going there. Also a must is the WC, be sure to leave your humility at home as you stand at the urinal shutter and others walk in.

Visited on September 11, 2006.

10-13-2006 20:29:15 | More by GCBrewingCo

Sdmurray4

Georgia

4.45/5  rDev +10.1%
vibe: 4.5 | quality: 4.5 | service: 4 | selection: 5 | food: 4 | $$

Just got back from Belgium and this was our "go-to" place while in Antwerp for the week. It sounds like it hasn't changed much from the other reviews. The location is great right next to the cathedral literally a two minute walk from the Hilton. Like all places in Belgium it was small and cozy. It seemed that there were mostly locals in place whenever we went, they were always happy to make room for us and discus our traveling adventures. The food was pretty decent when we ate there. The toast cannibale was some of the best we had in Antwerp. Can't wait to go back!

02-03-2012 17:34:17 | More by Sdmurray4

msubulldog25

Oregon

4.3/5  rDev +6.4%
vibe: 4.5 | quality: 4 | service: 4.5 | selection: 4.5 | food: 4 | $$

Visited with my wife on 7 September 2006, within hours of arriving in Belgium. Located adjacent to the main Cathedral on Handschoenmarkt, this little pub proved to be a great find for us during our two-day stay in Antwerp.

The rather ugly "modern" orange brick facade on a square of otherwise monochromatic buildings belies Paters Vaetje's (The Monk's Casket) quaint and comfortable interior. The weather was a bit cool for hanging outside, so we parked ourselves at one of several tiny marble-topped tables across from the huge wooden bar and felt quickly at home. Seated next to a small iron stove (which must be quite useful on a damp, chilly winter's night), we began to absorb the place: a few wooden stools at the bar, colorful Art Nouveau stained glass panels, shelves full of various glassware, a tiny seating area on a balcony above, a handful of locals lingering over an extended lunch break. Occasional chimes from the Cathedral drift past the open door like a gentle breeze, slicing through a haze of cigarette smoke.

We were welcomed rather warmly by our server, despite our complete inability to converse in Flemish, for our first lunch and (almost) first beers of the trip. From the laminated beer menu (nearly 100 bottles + 4 taps; "don't look at the one painted on the wall - it's changed" said our server...) I picked the DeKoninck Tripel to go with my sweet potato/carrot soup & bread. Sharon picked out a tasty croque monsieur and a Kwak, enjoying its unique glassware and stand for her first time.

For almost two hours we loitered inside Paters Vaetje, enjoying another round or two while trying to stave off the jetlag resulting from a 17+ hour series of flights from the US and a bus ride from Zaventem Airport to Antwerp. The sun crept out from behind the cloud cover intermittently, but we just kept on relaxing indoors, listening to the 80's pop music we'd soon learn predominates the Belgian airwaves. Subsequent beers were: La Trappe Tripel & Bruin and a tasty Leffe Brune on-draft.

When in Antwerp a trip to Paters Vaetje is highly recommend. Though we never made a second stop during our time there, despite passing by on several occasions, I'll always fondly recall our first trip to this place and will hope it won't be the last.

09-20-2006 01:08:29 | More by msubulldog25

VierBier

Netherlands

4.28/5  rDev +5.9%
vibe: 4 | quality: 4 | service: 4.5 | selection: 4.5 | $$

Visited this place for the first time some 20 odd years ago, and quality has only improved over the years.

Summer or winter, the choice is so wide, you can always find something fitting your taste and the season. Staff is most helpful if you need any assistance with your choice, even when it is crowded, which is almost always the case.

Except for Westvleteren, unfortunately, they serve all Trappist beers, a wide range of abbey brews, and there is always something new on offer. Most of the time bottle only.

If Kulminator is a bit out of your way, which it always is when beer is not your reason for visiting Antwerp, Paters Vaetje is your best choice in town. Even though, admittedly, you have to wait for your beer to obtain the correct temperature.

02-26-2008 21:34:45 | More by VierBier

DaPeculierDane

Wisconsin

4.2/5  rDev +4%
vibe: 4.5 | quality: 4 | service: 4.5 | selection: 4 | $$

Visit: 8-20-08

Following dinner at 'T Pakhuis, Elaina and I strolled back to the Cathedral area and the Monk's Casket. After drinking a 4 handled ceramic cauldron of the spicy and aromatic Deugniut Blonde, I went to relieve myself. There I am in the tiny dark wood bathroom humming to myself do-to-do and oh, ok...um, hi! The waitress is in there with me. Just as quick as she enters she is gone. I get back to business and then bam, hello. She's back. Turns out the dishwasher is tucked behind the bathroom and the only way the waitresses have of getting to it is to walk right through the men's room.

At any rate, I followed up the first beer with the boozey Keizer Karel Blonde. Once again it was served in a wonderful blue ceramic cauldron. Between 80 and 100 bottles and 6 taps were available. Prices were reasonable and service was quick, pleasant, and attractive. Definitely worthy of a visit.

11-15-2009 16:42:57 | More by DaPeculierDane

Todd

Massachusetts

4.18/5  rDev +3.5%
vibe: 4.5 | quality: 4 | service: 4.5 | selection: 4 | food: 4

When in Antwerp, the Paters Vaetje is a must to get your fill of food, atmosphere, late night hanging out (open until 5AM most days) and of course ... good beer. The beer list hit around the 80 beer mark with an excellent and varied selection (it's where I get my fix of Poperings Hommel Bier and Kasteel).

It's a small bar, with seating to your left as you first walk in, in the back and at the bar. There's a tricky, and old, windy and steep stair case (mind your head) that leads to a small balcony that sits about a dozen people and overlooks the downstairs (if you go up the stairs further, or rather if you were allowed, you'd find an apartment -- how cool would that be!). The space is very open, making it a lot less smokey. And, like many of the bars in Belgium, bathrooms (downstairs in the back) are co-ed.

If found the service to my liking. Very attractive women, very pleasant and although the service can get slow as the place gets busy, all you need to do is switch your gears to European mode and realize that waiting isn't always a bad thing. Just relax ... they'll get to you.

Decent selection of food, that's served until very late (I've ordered past 2AM) and should appease your night of drinking appetite. Go for the pan-skillet omelettes!

Wish I was there now ... oh, and when your done, take a right as you leave walk up about a block or two, then take a left and you'll find one of the best frites shops around. Frites, a mystery meat croquette and a can of Jupiler ... and your ready to find your hotel room!

01-17-2003 01:00:24 | More by Todd

tendermorsel

Massachusetts

4.18/5  rDev +3.5%
vibe: 4.5 | quality: 4 | service: 4.5 | selection: 4 | food: 4 | $$

I really enjoyed this place during a recent trip to Antwerp.

Above average selection of Belgian beers. Nothing too crazy or rare but about 5-6 taps and 60 different bottles. Pleanty of good stuff to choose from. I didn't try much food but I had a roasted pepper soup which was pretty good.

Great ambiance. Lot's of old style Flemish charm. It is smaller place. With a smoking section which is up a set of stairs and set above the main bar. Super friendly staff that was willing to take the time to answer questions and speak to me in English.

Major bonus points for location and hours. It is very centrally located. It's literally right next door to the main church in town. They have very late hours too. We closed the bar out @ 3:00 AM on a Wednesday morning. It think they may even have 4:00 closing on the weekends.

I even saw a Beer Advocate hat hung up behind the bar!

I would definately reccomend this place when in Antwerp.

05-28-2009 17:25:16 | More by tendermorsel

UncleJimbo

Massachusetts

4.13/5  rDev +2.2%
vibe: 4 | quality: 4 | service: 4.5 | selection: 4 | food: 4 | $$

I stopped in Paters Vaetje a few times during my visit to Antwerp in Nov. 2005. It's location right next to the Cathedral in the Schoenmarkt made it a place I passed by often as I walked around sight-seeing. It is a small pub/restaurant with windows looking out onto the square and the Cathedral.

As you enter, the bar is on the right, with ~8 bar stools. There are ~5 marble-topped tables on the left, along the long wall. There are more tables in an upstairs loft area in the rear, as well as a couple of tables outside for seating in nice weather. The toilets are in the rear, and are an interesting experience. The floor is red tile, and the walls are brick and yellow stucco with lots of dark wood at the bar and throughout, including a high, wood-beamed ceiling. There are mirrors on the left wall, behind the tables. There is also a small, wood stove on left, between the tables, for heating in the cold weather. On one of my visits, there was a friendly, big, black cat named "Jupiler" roaming freely among the customers; he seemed interested in my chicken soup, but did not want any of the chicken I offered to him.

They had 5 beers on-tap, including: DeKoninck, DeKoninck Winter, Leffe, and Hoegaarden. Their beer menu (nicely laminated and showing prices and %ABV) listed 77 bottled beers, including: Chimay, Orval, Rochefort, Westmalle, etc., 10 imports, and 2 non-alcoholic beers. A good selection.

The atmosphere was good, and was less crowded during the afternoons. Soft music played in the background. In the evening the place would get packed with people. The service was friendly, with some English spoken by at least one of the young ladies behind the bar.

There is a small kitchen in the back, and the menu included pastas, pizza, steaks, and soups. I sampled the "kippensoep and brood" (chicken soup and bread), which was very good, and warmed me up after walking around on a chilly November day.

Definitely recommended.

05-29-2006 18:31:34 | More by UncleJimbo

ggaughan

Pennsylvania

4.05/5  rDev +0.2%
vibe: 4.5 | quality: 4 | service: 4 | selection: 4 | food: 4 | $$

Visited Paters on a recent day trip to Antwerp. We had lunch here and were able to sit outside in the nice seating area, looking over at a cool old church. As it was a pleasant Saturday afternoon, the square was hoping with people which is one of the best reasons to sit outside.

For lunch I had a croque maison which is basically a croque monseuir with bolognese sauce over it and a Rochefort 10 to start. The sandwich was very good, a great way to start the day and the Rochefort 10 is a great beer. A bit heavy for my first beer of the day but still hard to pass up.

I went inside to the bar to use the restrooms on the way out and thought it would be nice to visit again and sit inside as the bar is small but has a cool vibe to it.

05-17-2008 21:15:08 | More by ggaughan

Popsinc

Ontario (Canada)

4/5  rDev -1%
vibe: 4 | quality: 4 | service: 4 | selection: 4

First of all i loved the interior of this bar. Old dark wood everywhere including the old staircase leading up to a small balcony level seating. A very warm feeling bar....well except that it was cold outside the main floor wasn't all that warm.

The bar was very busy on this particular day. I only stopped here for 1 beer, a Rochefort 8, and then headed out. I can imagine that this bar would be wonderful in warmer weather with the patio almost on the doorsteps of the Cathedral.

Nonetheless, the very attractive and promt waitress also made my stay pleasant. A nice bar that i would love to return to.

10-29-2003 09:51:02 | More by Popsinc