Pioneering Natural Wine Bar Tarzan Closes in Brussels

Tarzan, the pioneering natural wine bar at Rue Washington 59 in Ixelles, served its last glass on Saturday, June 27, bringing an end to nearly a decade of championing natural wine in Brussels. Founded in November 2016 by Coralie Rutten and Matthieu Vellut, the bar was one of the first dedicated natural wine establishments in the Belgian capital at a time when the concept was still considered a “curious gamble,” as La Libre Belgique reported.

A Pioneer of the Natural Wine Movement

When Tarzan opened its doors, natural wine in Brussels was a niche affair, largely confined to high-end gastronomic restaurants at premium prices. The bar helped democratize access, offering 40 to 50 different natural wine cuvées by the glass or bottle, alongside seasonal sharing plates and tapas. Its cozy, unpretentious space in the upscale Quartier du Châtelain neighborhood quickly became a refuge for wine lovers and a hub for Brussels’ curious, free-spirited nightlife.

In a farewell post on Instagram quoted by La Libre, the owners reflected on their journey: “10 years ago, we took the gamble of putting natural wine on the menu, it was still very curious. Today we are proud to have contributed to its presence in Brussels, and to have defended the winemakers behind each bottle.”

The bar was part of a mini-ecosystem that included “Chez Jane,” a natural wine shop at 63 Rue Washington opened in 2017 by the same team. As Brusselslife.be noted at the time, the two spaces worked in harmony: Tarzan offered a place to taste wines by the glass, while Chez Jane allowed customers to purchase bottles and explore a curated selection of nearly 350 references.

More Than Just a Bar

For regulars and the broader Brussels community, Tarzan was more than a place to drink wine. It was a gathering spot where friendships were forged and conversations flowed as freely as the wine. Eating.be, which published an advance notice of the closure on June 23, captured the sentiment beautifully: “There are places that matter less for their size than for the momentum they created. Addresses that become refuges, counters where you return for a bottle as much as for a mood, a conversation, a way of being together.”

The publication added: “It’s not just a place of consumption that disappears. It’s also a counter of Brussels life, made of laughter, loyalties, endless discussions.”

A Broader Trend of Loss

Tarzan’s closure is not an isolated event. It comes amid a worrying pattern of iconic Brussels hospitality venues shutting their doors. As DHnet reported in January, establishments like La Mirabelle (after 50 years), La Clé d’Or, Aux Armes de Bruxelles, and Le Toucan sur Mer have all closed in recent months. Reports indicate that Brussels is gradually losing its family-run restaurants and convivial bars, with factors including rising rents, changing consumer habits, noise complaints from residents, and staffing challenges putting pressure on the Horeca sector.

SoSoir/Le Soir described the closure as another institution going dark in Ixelles, one that “takes with it an important part of the history of natural wine in Brussels.”

What’s Next?

The owners have not announced plans for a new venue. Coralie Rutten and Matthieu Vellut are expected to focus on their remaining operations: Chez Jane wine shop and Vin Naturel, Vellut’s natural wine importing company founded in 2013. The natural wine scene in Brussels, while losing a pioneer, has grown significantly since 2016 and now includes numerous bars and shops across the city.

As Brussels grapples with the broader question of how to preserve its unique hospitality identity, the closing of Tarzan serves as both a farewell to a beloved institution and a reminder of the fragile ecosystem that makes the city’s cultural life so vibrant. The memories, as the owners said, will remain.