The City of Brussels has extended its alcohol ban across several central districts until October 2026, citing persistent issues of public drunkenness, drug use, and anti-social behaviour.
The measure applies to key neighbourhoods, including the pedestrian zone around Place de Brouckère and Bourse, the Alhambra district near Yser station, and the Sainte-Catherine/Marché aux Poissons and Quays areas. Drinking is prohibited 24 hours a day, except on café terraces or during city-organised events.
According to police figures, enforcement has intensified. Between October 2024 and July 2025, officers issued 594 fines for street drinking – already surpassing the total from the previous year. Authorities say this highlights both the persistence of the problem and their commitment to tackling it.
On the ground, reactions remain mixed. Some shopkeepers welcome the measure, citing improvements in cleanliness and customer comfort. “Sometimes in the morning I have to clean the shop window with a bucket of water because it’s so dirty. It’s really unpleasant for customers,” said one retailer on Boulevard Anspach.
Amory, manager of the restaurant Babbelzot, painted a more severe picture: “There are fights and trouble every night, we get drug addicts here, there are stabbings every week – it’s very dangerous. The real solution would be a police post at Bourse.”
Others expressed support but questioned the ban’s effectiveness without strong enforcement. Souleymane from Pizzeria Spago in Place Saint-Géry noted: “This alcohol ban is a good thing and it should continue, but without proper enforcement it doesn’t serve much purpose.”
Some shopkeepers emphasised fairness. Dilmi, manager of Falstaff near Bourse, argued: “If it’s applied to everyone and it can help, I think it’s a good thing.” Meanwhile, Dirk, a newsstand owner at Place Sainte-Catherine for 25 years, said: “In the past there were many more people causing trouble. It has improved a bit, so I think this law is a good thing.”
Beyond policing, officials acknowledge that disturbances often involve vulnerable groups struggling with addiction and mental health issues. Critics, particularly from the city’s left-wing opposition, argue the blanket ban unfairly punishes casual drinkers alongside problematic users.
Mayor Philippe Close (PS) defended the policy as part of a broader approach, pointing to social outreach initiatives led by the Hersham cell, which supports homeless individuals in accessing administrative and social aid.
While the ban has clearly divided opinion, its extension signals the city’s determination to maintain stricter control over public spaces, with safety and civility at the heart of its urban policy.
