4 minute read
In April 2010, VIAGE Grand Casino Brussels opened its doors in a listed building at the corner of rue Grétry and boulevard Anspach. Upon entering the complex, each visitor was taken up a journey, an adventure where new experiences awaited from ground to top floor! Indeed, the name, VIAGE, balances between the Italian ‘viaggio’ and the Spanish ‘viaje’, both meaning adventure and journey.
VIAGE is a temple of relaxation that offers 14,000 square meters of gaming areas, bars, restaurants and live shows. At the time, the listed building underwent major renovations together with Anspach Avenue that was beginning its transformation into the pedestrian area that we know today. This same pedestrian zone, that is currently gaining in popularity, has inspired VIAGE to reinvent itself. The entrance has been transformed not only into a welcoming reception for regular customers, but also into a new gourmet touch point with direct access to the entertainment centre via the pedestrian zone: the VIAGE CHILL.
Although the casino remains the main activity, the strength of this entertainment centre lies in the diverse and inspiring range of leisure activities for a variety of audiences. VIAGE aims to be accessible to all: from to Brussels residents, to walkers, tourists, business people, groups of friends and families. That is why VIAGE offers a wide range of activities for all ages, by day and night.
A CHILL start
Despite all the events of recent years, VIAGE managed to hold its own. Its past successes are numerous. From concerts by famous artists (Prince, Kool & The Gang, The Gibson Brothers, Paul Anka, Level 42, George Benson), to the rooftop bar Là-Haut VIAGE and the immersive spectacle The Great Gatsby. Today, VIAGE plans to keep this momentum going.
As soon as you enter the CHILL, on the ground floor, you feel the serene atmosphere. The concept of VIAGE CHILL fits perfectly into the urban landscape. Nothing was left to chance: neither VIAGE's ground-floor location on a busy thoroughfare, nor its zen decor with natural materials such as wood and marble. The menu is full of delights for a gourmet stop or a hot drink in the afternoon, a quick bite before going to the cinema or an aperitif before a restaurant visit. VIAGE CHILL follows the trend of sharing platters with an emphasis on local products and home-made dishes. The pastries are creations by Florian Delhoulle, a 25-year-old local pastry chef who recently joined the VIAGE team.
VIAGE CHILL was the missing puzzle piece within VIAGE. A refreshing and relaxing break from morning to night. Open every day from 10 am to 11 pm, there is no age nor membership card restrictions. At VIAGE CHILL, only one rule counts: ‘take it easy’. So easy that you can also takeaway our delicious pastries with a matching hot drink in a Chill mug.
Up to the top
One floor up, the Cinna Bar invites you to come and sample a delicious cocktail. You can pop into this colourful lounge area any time of day for a drink, with a daily happy hour. For a culinary meal, step inside the restaurant VIAGE GRILL, revamped in 2019, where culinary delights from the Australian broiler grill eagerly disappear behind guests' teeth.
And then, of course, there is the casino area. Here you will discover the largest gaming offer in Belgium with more than 500 slot machines, gaming tables with croupier and a large poker room where the famous World Poker Tour takes place every year. Eighty per cent of the activity takes place in the casino, which is and remains its core business. Hence the justified expansion to a rooftop gaming area on the seventh floor with one of the best views of Brussels.
Up to Tokyo
The sixth floor houses a unique space: an events room. In March, we reopened its doors under the name VIAGE Digital Art Theatre. We just successfully concluded the immersive Viva Frida Kahlo Immersive Experience there. Time for something new!
This time, from 1 December, we will take you on a journey, to Tokyo. The bold world first, TOKYO ART CITY, conceived and organised by Japanese digital art company NAKED Inc. and presented by MB Presents, immerses visitors in the world's largest and most fascinating metropolis. It is a multi-sensory experience around the Yamanote Line: Tokyo's busiest urban railway. This line passes by the most emblematic parts of the metropolis over a distance of 34 km and carries up to 4.5 million passengers a day. At the heart of a 360° digital exhibition covering more than 900 m², you will travel through the Japanese capital. Not only will you experience a fun, interactive journey, you will also taste Japanese culture, the world of manga and discover a big surprise!
