Gay Guide - Nightlife

Clubtastique

 Brussels has long been Europe’s secret party capital. Its rich cultural mix incorporating large Latino, Arab and African immigrant communities imparts an exotic edge into the music and club scene that attracts night owls from all over Western Europe. Ideally located, Brussels is never more than hours drive from anywhere in Belgium. Paris, Amsterdam and Cologne are all just a couple of hours away by train meaning Brussels’ clubs are always packed with an international crowd of weekend revellers.

 To cater for the crowds, Brussels hosts a wide variety of monthly mega clubs which are as good as any you’ll find in London, Barcelona or New York. La Démence is one of the most famous parties on the European gay club circuit and has been attracting loyal devotees for over ten years now. Housed in the cool, cavernous brick arches of Fuse, 8 top international DJs take it in turns to pump out the most infectious house anthems on the planet. Packed with an eclectic mix of muscle bears, fashionistas, grungy students and transvestites, La Démence is a microcosm of the best of European gay life. Hot on its heels, Naughty has a harder edge with gritty, industrial décor, oceans of glistening pecs and the hottest stage shows in town often featuring top European porn stars. Tapping into the current bear club craze that is sweeping across the gay world, Icebearg is the friendliest and most attitude-free monthly club in town.

 If you’re not in town for one of the monthly extravaganzas, don’t worry, Box Club serves up a daily dose of Electro-House on 3 pulsating levels and heaves with a cute up4it young crowd. Meanwhile, weekends finish with a bang at Brussels’ two explosive Sunday Tea Dances, Le You and Thé Dansant.

La Démence: Rue Blaes 208, 1000 Brussels. Once monthly 22.00-08.30 www.lademence.com

Naughty: Rue des Chartreux 52, 1000 Brussels. Once monthly 21.00-06.00

www.naughty-party.com

Icebearg: Rue des Chartreux 52, 1000 Brussels. Once monthly 22.00-06.00

Box Club: Rue des Riches Claires 7, 1000 Brussels. Daily 22.00-07.00 www.boxclub.be

Le You: Rue Duquesnoy 18, 1000 Brussels. Sun 18.00-03.00 www.leyou.be

Thé Dansant: Rue Marché au Charbon 112. Sun 16.00-22.00

Letting off Steam

After sampling the hedonistic nightlife it’s hardly surprising that saunas in Brussels are always heaving on Sunday afternoons. Actually, they’re pretty packed every day of the week as Brussels’ hard working gay Eurocrats and VIP visitors enjoy nothing more than a quick after conference sweat and cruise.

 Macho Sauna is the most centrally located. Staffed by gratuitous hunks in Speedos, the facilities are spread over 5 labyrinthine floors. The top floor has a cute little rooftop gym and summer sun terrace, floors 1-3 are home to 27 relaxation rooms, a video room and dark room while on the ground floor you’ll find a funky bar area, relaxation lounge, swimming pool, Jacuzzi, dry and wet saunas, solarium and massage rooms. In short you’ll find everything you could possibly need from a sauna.  Spades 4our has a similar array of facilities spread over 6 floors and like Macho has reduced entry for under 25s and a discount day during the week. You’ll meet gay guys from all over the world in Macho and Spades 4our and you’ll be struck by the friendliness and laid back attitude that

makes Brussels one of the most welcoming and relaxing gay short break destinations in Europe.

Macho Sauna: Rue Marchéau Charbon 106, 1000 Brussels. Daily 24 hours www.machosauna.com

Spades 4our: Rue Bodeghem 23-25, 1000 Brussels. Daily 24 hours www.saunaspades4.be