Charlie Rockets

Centrally located at the beginning of Hoogstraat, Charlie Rockets is the closest hostel to Bruges’ Markt and Burg squares. It’s also one of the liveliest (and loudest), with a popular bar and nightlife scene downstairs.

Charlie Rockets is primarily a hostel, offering 96 beds in its complex of dorms. Six private rooms with shared facilities are also available at very low rates. Dorm rooms are basic and bright; most face the Hoogstraat. Rooms feature wooden bunk beds, tiled floors, sinks and soundproof windows. Shared showers and toilets are in good shape. Private rooms share toilets and showers with the other guests, but have their own sinks and not much else. Most of these rooms face the quieter courtyard.

Downstairs, the bar (which doubles as the hostel’s reception) is a well-orchestrated cacophony of cool. The loud, colorful décor features license plates, motorcycles, a foosball table and walls plastered with celebrity photos. Music rocks and beer flows. Five pool tables and a dart board keep things interesting in the back room. The bar hosts live music on the weekends.

Karel Hessels, Charlie Rockets’ owner, also runs Carlito’s, an Italian restaurant next door, which serves tasty, wallet-friendly pastas and pizzas.