Toone

Goldorak

Quebec (Canada)

3.93/5  rDev -3%
vibe: 4.5 | quality: 4 | service: 3.5 | selection: 4

Just under the famous puppet theatre, this bar, like many I've seen in Brussels, is comprised of an amalgam of small separate rooms that seemed to have been put together randomly, don't look alike at all, all seem a million years old, don't match but somehow complete each other well. We went through what I think is the side entrance, via the rue du Marché aux Herbes, and sat in the "main room", where the Beer fridges and cash register is.

Our waiter seemed to be chatting on the computer or playing video games or whatever, but quickly came and took our order, brought us our Beers and sat right back at the 'puter. A nice choice of Trappists and a few Lambics were available.

You can buy either a puppet head, at a pricey 75 euro, or a whole doll with costume at a whoping 350 euro and up, complete with certificate of authenticity. I'll stick to a few Beers, thanks!

I really liked this place, it sort of had that bohemian, artsy café, laid back feel, but with decades upon decades of history behind it.

10-07-2004 01:22:43 | More by Goldorak

francisweizen

Australia

4.09/5  rDev +1%
vibe: 4.5 | quality: 4.5 | service: 3.5 | selection: 4

This is a strange puppet theatre/restaurant/bar located right off of the grand palace (look for the sign!), and towards the excellent delirium cafe. I did not go upstairs to see the theatre performance, so I can not comment on the quality of the entertainment. However, the bar/restaurant part of this place was awesome. Beautiful, old woodwork, strange bleachers, puppet memorabilia, and more. The clientele is made up of die-hard locals and tourists from all-over-the-world...snapping pics and taking videos. On my last visit the resident, orange-and-white, cat, jumped into my lap, and purred at me for a while...I enjoyed that very much...As for the selection it was normal for a bar in Brussels. Trappists, lambics, and some more obscure local beers. I opted for a glass of port, and I believe that Erica got a Kwak. The beverages came fast, but when we wanted to pay the bill, we had to wait a while to get the waiters attention. It should be noted that he was the only person on duty at the time, and the place was a bit full. Highly recommended for the atmosphere alone. Have a nice beer or a glass of wine, and watch the hours slip away...

04-05-2004 15:49:52 | More by francisweizen

frank4sail

New Jersey

4.06/5  rDev +0.2%
vibe: 4.5 | quality: 4 | service: 4 | selection: 4

WOW talk about a place with character. The place is quite hard to find but once you get there is is another world. Once you walk down that ally and enter the Toone you really forget the tourist grind in seconds. The awesome wood work in this bar takes you back in time to Brussels in the early 18th century. Wood tables and puppets dominate the several cave like rooms. A funky feeling will come over you as you sit back and enjoy a quality beer poured properly in the correct glass by attentive (french speaking) staff. Good music was also playing during our afternoon visit. The beer list is not huge but very solid with lots of Trappist selections and all beer at about 3$ euro. A very relaxing break from the city. Not much of a food menu just light snacks. A must stop in Brussels. One of the most interesting bars I have ever been in..

03-31-2004 05:19:00 | More by frank4sail

TheLongBeachBum

California

3.93/5  rDev -3%
vibe: 4.5 | quality: 4 | service: 4 | selection: 3.5

From the corner exit of the Brussels Central Station, turn left & head downhill as though you are heading towards the Grand Place. Eventually you will come to Grassmarkt and go past the Information Centre on your left, then take your first right before you reach Rue March aux Herbes. This is Petite Rue des Bouchers, a small, often crowded, alleyway full of Seafood Restaurants & Waiters vociferously plying their trade and attempting to entice you into their establishment rather than the one next door. Ignore them all, by looking up, for about half-way down on the right, you will see a small break between two buildings and a sign above that simply says Toone. When you see it you have reached what appears to be a rather grubby looking thin alleyway. Walk right down here to the end, honest!! At the end are two doors, the one on the left leads to the Toone Puppet Theatre, the one on the right to the unique Toone Bar.
As you enter there is a small raised cramped wooden seating area to your immediate left, the very small 2 person bar is to your front left and there is a small seating area to your right. If this area is full, walk straight forward through the doorway near the bar into the next backroom, this is in fact the location of another small Theatre on the left, note the sliding seats to your right folded away. The bar is a den of adjoining rooms; the bare-brick walls, wood panelling & fittings give this place a real natural cozy feeling. All the time, hanging Puppets are everywhere staring at you, as well as Adverts & Old Posters for the puppet Theatre.
Beer list was 44 when I was last there in Nov. ’02. Small-ish, but a very good list so close to Tourist land; including Cantillon, all the Chimays, Westmalle’s, Orval and Rochefort 10 as well, all reasonably priced. Beer list does alter, so ignore the chalkboard to your left as you walk in, and get hold of a printed beer menu. Has a very ‘warm’ and friendly feeling. Service is great, but unhurried.

If you can find this Bar, and it does take some finding at first, it is well worth the effort, a lovely unique refuge probably because of its hidden locale. So escape the Grand Place, the throngs of Tourists and come and have a quiet quality beer in Pinocchio’s world. No food. If you want to eat, it’s back outside into the street, to face the hoarde’s of fish restaurant waiters shouting at you again, I’m afraid.
I’d stay here and have another beer, otherwise, if you're hungry - best of luck!!!

01-02-2003 19:43:21 | More by TheLongBeachBum