Bruges 2024 - The Guitar Social

A festive fret-ival

Dates: Thursday 5th to Sunday 8th of December, £695

At The Guitar Social, the perfect Guitar Retreat combines music, culture, sightseeing, entertainment, great bars, and delicious food. And of course, lots of opportunity to play guitar with other people. Here’s a glimpse of how we achieve these cornerstones of a great holiday.

Live Music
Enjoy live music at top venues such as:

Cactus Muziekcentrum: Experience a vibrant atmosphere with diverse music performances.
⁠Music Village: Relax in an intimate setting with jazz and blues tunes.
⁠Bizon Blues Bar: Indulge in soulful blues in a cozy bar ambiance.
•Roskam: Discover diverse live acts in a classic setting.
Le Strof: Immerse yourself in a unique musical experience at this charming venue.

Guitar Retreat Workshops
Thursday 4.30-.6.30 Workshop, content TBCThursday 9-11am Open Mic in the house with group jams
Friday 9.30-11.30am Workshop, content TBC
Saturday 9.30-11.30am Workshop, content TBC
Sunday 9-10.30am Workshop TBC
Sunday: afternoon an opportunity to play live in a bar in Bruges, solo or with the group
Sunday-9-10.30 with a live performance option in a Belgium bar in the afternoon.

Culture

A guitar retreat in Bruges isn’t just about constant jamming, we get out and earn culture points too.

Admire Flemish Art at Groeningemuseum
Discover classic Flemish art, stunning sculptures, and surrealism at the renowned Groeningemuseum.

Musées Royaux des Beaux-Arts
Experience an extensive collection of classic Flemish works and surrealist masterpieces at the Musées Royaux des Beaux-Arts.

Comic Strip Mural Spotting
Stroll through the city and spot vibrant comic strip murals, a unique and colorful way to explore the local culture.

Museum of Instruments
Take a trip to the Museum of Instruments and marvel at the extensive collection of musical instruments from around the world.

Delicious Food and Drinks in the Heart of the City

All that playing guitar with other people and jamming is hungry and thirsty work, here’s what we’ll do once the guitars have been put down.

Breakfast at That’s Toast
Start your day with a delightful breakfast at That’s Toast, known for its delicious and hearty morning meals.

Seafood at Den Gouden Karpel
Savor fresh seafood dishes at Den Gouden Karpel, a top destination for seafood lovers.

Vegan Food at Blackbird
Enjoy innovative and tasty vegan cuisine at Blackbird, perfect for those seeking plant-based options.

Beers at Historic Bars
•⁠ ⁠Café Vlissinghe: Experience the charm of a 500-year-old bar while enjoying a variety of beers.
•⁠ ⁠‘t Brugs Beertje: Choose from hundreds of beers on the menu at this popular spot.
•⁠ ⁠The Red Tap: Try three different beers for just £10 and discover new favorites.
•⁠ ⁠’t Klein Venetie: Sip drinks at dusk in this picturesque setting.

Drinks Around Fireplaces
Relax with drinks around the cozy fireplaces at Au Bon Vieux Temps, perfect for unwinding after a day of exploration.

Must-See Sights in Bruges

Climb the Belfort Tower
Ascend the 13th-century Belfort Tower for breathtaking views and a glimpse into Bruges’ rich architectural history.

Explore Burg Square
Absorb centuries of architectural marvels and historical significance in the iconic Burg Square.

Visit Jeruzalemkerk Church
Step into the gothic beauty of Jeruzalemkerk Church, a testament to Bruges’ medieval past.

Canal Boat Tour
Experience the charm of Bruges from the water on a canal boat tour. Set off just after breakfast on Friday morning for the best views of this picturesque city.

Entertainment

Afternoon by the Sea at Ostend
Spend a relaxing afternoon by the sea at Ostend, enjoying the sandy beaches and refreshing ocean breeze.

Shopping at Galeries Royales Saint-Hubert
Indulge in some retail therapy at Europe’s first shopping arcade, Galeries Royales Saint-Hubert, where you can explore a variety of high-end shops and boutiques.

Visit the Choco-Story Museum
Delight in a visit to the Choco-Story Museum, where you can learn about the history of chocolate and enjoy delicious samples.

Charming Accommodation in Bruges

Stay Close to Bruges
Our accommodation is just fourteen minutes from Bruges town center, offering the perfect balance between accessibility and tranquility. Enjoy the wide-open spaces of the Belgian countryside and the unspoilt night sky, creating a serene escape close to the city’s action.

Amenities and Activities
•⁠ ⁠Evening Performances in the Barn: Our barn provides a unique venue for one of our evening performances, adding a rustic charm to your experience.
•⁠ ⁠Hot Tub and Spa: Relax and unwind in our hot tub and spa, perfect for rejuvenating after a day of exploring.
•⁠ ⁠Ample Space for Downtime: Take advantage of the plentiful space to relax and enjoy some quiet moments.

Room Allocations
All rooms are shared, but rest assured, we allocate rooms empathetically and with common sense to ensure your comfort and privacy.

Money Matters

Included in Your Package
Your tickets for excursions are covered by The Guitar Social. Key attractions included in the price are:

•⁠ ⁠Art at Groeningemuseum
•⁠ ⁠Museum of Instruments
•⁠ ⁠Belfort Tower
•⁠ ⁠Jeruzalemkerk Church
•⁠ ⁠Boat Tour

Additionally, The Guitar Social will provide:

•⁠ ⁠Breakfast at the Accommodation: Enjoy breakfast on Saturday and Sunday mornings at the accommodation (Friday breakfast will be out).
•⁠ ⁠Thursday Night In-House Party: Includes food, a Belgian cooking workshop, and spa options.

Personal Expenses
All food and drink taken outside of the accommodation, plus inter-city travel, are at your own expense. When using Ubers to and from the accommodation, we expect each person on the trip to cover at least one trip.

Bookings

How to Book
You can book today by following this link and using your surname and “Bruges” as your reference. For more information, email Thomas at thomas@theguitarsocial.com or call 07425 871904.

Nicola Cortese

03/02/2022

I started a course in Jan as a beginner with Thomas and I can already play 5 songs!.. with simple chords :) both Thomas and Fiona are really lovely and they really know how to teach whilst having fun! I'd highly recommend dropping at one of their Thursday's open mic! Tons of fun and talent for free!!!

Jonny Pollard

02/02/2022

Very friendly learning environment, was a bit nervous to play with a group having not played socially for many years, but it was super relaxed, and I learnt a lot in the first session. Looking forward to the next session!

Adam J

01/02/2022

Had a great time tonight! I joined on to the beginners course a couple weeks late, but Fiona was great at running me up to speed before the class. Tom was a great instructor, and managed to get us to cover lots of ground in a short space of time. The group was super freindly and relaxed, and im looking forward to going back next week!

Jakub Špaček

Having played guitar in my past within academic environment I have to say The Guitar Social club opened my eyes with their amazing and vibrant atmosphere with company of great people. Lessons are really fun and easy to follow. Feel really motivate just after few classes and my connection to the instrument greatly improved!

Paula Smith

31/01/2022

Unbelievably great, not kidding.

Marcella Puppini

This exactly what I was hoping it would be. A fun and engaging way of learning a new instrument at a lovely venue, with great people and great teaching. Thoroughly recommended.

hashtagobi

Only been going 2 weeks but it's a great environment with good pacing throughout the lessons. The community is quite helpful + open to learn so it's really a great space for anyone wanting to hone their guitar chops!

Kevin S.

27/01/2022

Is it a guitar school? A social events group? A music workshop for all ages and abilities? An open, non-judgemental route to performing? A holiday club that includes jamming on guitars around the campfire? Well–it's all these and more. The Guitar Social is built around founder & lead tutor Thomas (plus TGS Business Director, Fiona, originally one of its earliest students). Patient and passionate, Thomas and his relaxed, friendly temperament get the best from beginners to improvers and beyond. Personally for me, one core strength of The Guitar Social is that Thomas realises what most tutors and courses never do – we can all learn fast and well when we play whole songs together and discover as a group how to make them work. Thomas and TGS guest tutors will always tend to teach music theory for guitar, and focus too on scales, chord voicings, correct rhythm, licks, riffs, parts, soloing etc, but with a tendency to make it about the fun and learning gains when students jam together on great songs instead of staring at a white board and not playing much music. Jamming songs in similar or mixed ability groups helps TGS students become functioning musicians who have built useful real world skills and experience across many sessions similar to how working musicians rehearse and workshop songs. And you will have the opportunity to build live experience too if you wish – solo or with your term group or with others of your choice, in a safe, positive environment, with friendly fellow students as your audience. Never any pressure and just one example of where TGS delivers extra value. They are really worth trying. I haven't even done full justice here to all the different activities they do.

stu smith

25/01/2022

The coolest club in London!

Colin Taylor

I'm back for my second series of the Joy of the Jam. After not playing with others for over 30 years, these sessions are reminding me just how inspiring and enjoyable jamming can be. Thomas leads the sessions with huge enthusiasm and a great deal of humour. The support of his impressive musical knowledge is ever present - but this never gets in the way of our desire just have fun and be playing.

From the Guitar Social Community