Leuven
Antwerp
Gent
Bruges

..use the train instead.

pubs with such a fine selevtion of beer they give you a menu at your table............... car would be a waste

Plenty in Brussels for a weekend. Worth going to see the Cantillon brewery (they're the only traditional brewery left in town) and like others have said there's a load of nice bars and restaurants.

Leuven
Antwerp
Gent
Bruges

I'd give Antwerp a miss, it's one big building site at the moment due to the tram works. Agree with the others though as being worth a visit.

As others have said, Brussels has enough to keep you interested for a weekend though. Hire some bikes?

Gent and Brugge are both much nicer than Brussels...(though I am probably biased)
Train is only 30 mins to Gent and 50ish to Brugge. Both cities are an ar5e for parking so train works well.

Gent and Brugge are both much nicer than Brussels

I would agree with this.

You don't need a car to go here 😉

http://www.restaurantvincent.com/

Nice steak

We (fellow drinkers and cyclist) went by Eurostar to Brussels a few years ago. We hired bikes and cycled to Waterloo. Great day out, ride isn't too bad. Not sure what else there is to do.
(Apart from drink.)

Waterloo is nearby, if history is your thing.

Me in a hotel bar in Brussels

I'll have a beer please

Barman: which one sir we have 47

Me: I'll take your recommendation!

Oh and the Atonium

..as for Brussels, if you want some biking the Foret is grand for 3 or 4 hours.