Not far from the bustling crowds of Brussels’ Grand Place lies a bar that seems untouched by time. Since 1976, Le Cercueil—which translates to “The Coffin”—has welcomed visitors into a world where gothic charm meets Belgian warmth.
Located on Rue des Harengs, the bar immediately captures attention with its wooden façade and a window display featuring skeletons resting in a coffin. A handwritten sign leads the curious through a dim red corridor, setting the stage for what awaits inside.
Once inside, the atmosphere shifts from eerie to inviting. Warm red lights illuminate coffin-shaped tables, crosses, and artwork inspired by horror cinema. It’s a place that embraces the macabre, but never without a wink of humour.
Current owner Pierre Masure, 55, began working at Le Cercueil as a bartender in 1995 before taking over the business in 2008. “The previous owner was inspired by the movie The Exorcist,” Masure explained, referring to the 1973 horror classic that sparked the bar’s theme.
Born to a Belgian father and Spanish mother, Masure has spent three decades behind the bar, preserving its unique identity. While much of the décor remains unchanged, he’s updated one key element: the music. “Before it was more gothic or church music,” he said. “Now it’s more rock.”
The soundtrack, he believes, keeps regulars coming back—alongside the drinks that have become synonymous with the Le Cercueil experience. Beers are served in skull-shaped cups handcrafted by a local artist, while cocktails like “Satan’s Spawn” and “Corpse Juice” add a playful edge to the theme.
Despite its dark aesthetic, Le Cercueil attracts a surprisingly diverse clientele. “We even have families coming in,” Masure said with a smile. “The family spirit is very important here, among the staff and the customers.”
Walls are decorated with hand-drawn sketches from patrons and employees—small mementos of nights spent sharing laughter and stories. For Masure, that sense of connection is what defines the bar. “People tell me they’ve been coming here for 40 years,” he said. “They say, ‘I came when I was 20.’ It brings back good memories.”
Next year marks Le Cercueil’s 50th anniversary, and while celebrations are still being planned, Masure has bigger dreams ahead. Earlier this year, he purchased the building housing the bar, allowing him to expand and create an upper floor.
“Since we’re adding another level, we’ll host more events—maybe rock concerts or private parties,” he said, pausing with a grin before adding, “But no exorcisms.”
Nearly half a century on, Le Cercueil remains a beloved haunt for locals and tourists alike—a place where Brussels’ gothic soul comes alive with every flicker of red light and clink of a skull-shaped glass.
