BXL bar on Manhattan’s West 43rd Street brings a touch of European elan to the heart of the theater district. Its clientele varies from expats in soccer jerseys cheering on the matches at the bar, to 30-something Manhattan professionals slipping out of their startups to mingle, to the bridge-and-tunnel crowd in for a play, or musical performance at the historic Town Hall, right next door.
Beer is the selling point for most. On tap and in bottles there are dozens of Belgian brews on offer, and each brand comes in its own special glass. Blondes, reds, darks…like the colors on the New York streets, there are all flavors and sizes. One particular lager comes in a giant wooden frame that looks like it’s holding a laboratory beaker or a time glass whose hours are measured in sips, and not sand.
Many come for the hearty bar food, before or after their evening entertainment. Classic burgers and crispy fries are never a bad bet, but you might want to get a little more exotic with mussels in garlic broth or classic Belgian meatballs or beef stew; those with morning munchies can get croissants or eggs done up in a variety of styles.
