The London Lounge

Hello Gentlemen,

I hope that this is an appropriate place to pose these questions if not I apologize in advance. I have recently moved to Brussels and was wondering if anyone could recommend a reputable alterations tailor, dry cleaner/laundry service, cobbler and barber? Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated and if you can throw in the name of a good cigar shop all the better!

Thanks for your help,

Baldoon

Dry cleaners: De Geest, r. l'Hôpital, Central. Very expensive for Belgian standards. Don't give them any neckties, but they are very good at other dry cleaning jobs. I have no idea about their ability to launder shirts as mine are laundered and pressed at home.

Barber: Junko Ashida, r. Washington, Ixelles, 02 640 89 83.

Cigars: Up the hill from De Geest, at pl. Grand Sablon is one, but I can't remember their name. I tend to pop in there for one whilst the Brunette and the Little Brunette are spending hours in the Pierre Marcolini shop. Another one is near the Grand Place, on r. Tête d'Or, called la Tête d'Or, run by very nice people. I actually only ever go there to buy a particular vodka for which they are the only retailer in Belgium so have never bought cigars from them (I usually buy my cigars from Huis Verloo in Antwerp). I think that there is a Davidoff on av. Louise. Anyway, there are plenty of shops, so you might start with ones that are most convenient for you. Retailers can be found at the distributor's web site: http://www.cubacigar-benelux.com/.

Alteration tailors / cobblers: No suggestions there, sorry. If you want someone to repair / alter leather garments, then I do have a recommendation but will need to ask the Brunette and revert.

It might be worth checking in at Degand in the Louizalaan to see who they use (or if they offer the service themselves)

Asking Degand is a sensible idea. They have (or had) their own workroom upstairs, so they might do alterations in-house, but who knows.