Brasserie Barbère

Brasserie Barbère is a craft brewery taproom at 55 Rue Pierre Motte in Roubaix, a city adjoining Lille in the Hauts-de-France region of northern France. Although the item is filed under Lille, the venue is in Roubaix, roughly 10 kilometres north-east of central Lille and reachable by the metro's line 2, which links the two cities. Roubaix was once a leading textile-manufacturing centre, and its former mill districts have been regenerated with cultural and food venues, which gives a brewery taproom here an industrial-heritage setting. The listing describes the taproom as award-winning, and the crowd is typically a mix of local beer enthusiasts, young professionals, students and visitors who come to Roubaix for its museums and outlet shopping. Ages range from the mid-twenties to fifties, and the dress code is casual. The atmosphere is informal and social, with conversation about the beers at the centre rather than loud music or dancing, and the taproom works best as an early evening stop rather than a late-night club. The drinks programme is built around craft pints from about €4 (roughly $4.32), with the beer list covering the styles typical of northern French craft brewing, from blondes and ambers to hoppier ales and seasonal releases. Soft drinks and sometimes other drinks are generally available. Posted opening hours are Tuesday to Saturday from 16:00 to 23:00, so the taproom is closed Sunday and Monday and closes earlier than Lille's bars. Weeknights are quiet and suited to a tasting, while Friday and Saturday evenings are the busiest. No cover charge is expected, reservations are normally not required for small groups, and bottle service is not part of the format, although takeaway bottles or cans may be sold. Prices fall in the budget-friendly (€) bracket. Visitors should check the last metro back to Lille before settling in for the evening.