Where the it-crowd hang out in Europe’s new culture capital

There’s a reason The Standard hotel’s merch collection includes candles inscribed with the words ‘Disco Nap’ and coasters imprinted with faux lines of a certain illegal white substance. The hotel brand has become as renowned for its party atmosphere as its hospitality. In London, the King’s Cross-based hotel is as heavily associated with its tenth floor bar, Sweeties, as its rooms. Meanwhile, their Ibiza spot’s rooftop bar, Up — lauded for its poolside DJ sets — is a must-visit for the most elite island goers. Of course, there are also the many other locations dotted across the globe, but The Standard’s third European spot is a testament to the brand’s success in tapping into our penchant for both culture and a good piss up on this side of the Atlantic.

With the former in mind, Brussels just makes sense as the brand’s tertiary EU location. While past decades have seen Antwerp head up Belgium’s culture scene, the nation’s capital is seeing a cultural renaissance emerging from underneath its serious exterior. Drawing in creatives thanks to its more affordable rent prices and new investments into public art spaces, the burgeoning art scene is something head architect, Verena Haller, and her team at Bernard Dubois Architects kept in mind when transforming the former World Trade Centre into a Brutalist-meets-’70s-coded hot spot. From locally-sourced tapestries to what can only be described as treasure-hunt details (think: bird-shaped light sconces), art is at the forefront of the hotel’s design. Some rooms don’t even have TVs. On purpose.

At first, the Northern Quarter of the city might feel like a bit of a rogue choice for an ‘artsy’ hotel. But it’s all part of a new thing the brand is trying — drawing in both the corporate crowd and the party-goers (the old ‘work hard, play hard’ adage is more accurate than most, after all). The result? The hotel equivalent of an office siren. Once you walk through the demure concrete exterior of the building, the warmth of vintage interiors, a Mid-Century Modern colour palette and day-to-night lighting is enough to kill any thoughts of spreadsheets (or, just as likely given the location, big-boy political decisions). And, since The Standard is for the first time trialling extended-stay suites, that’s something you’re bound to appreciate if you become one of their lucky long-stay clients.

The phrase ‘office-siren’, though, is twofold. The brand’s new location is by no means less of a good time than its London and Ibiza-based big sisters. The siren part of one’s psyche, then, can be quenched in several spots across the hotel. First off, the Lobby Bar is the centre-piece of the ground floor in the same way an altar is in a church — except this one has options beyond red wine (you’ll probably want to opt for an Amber Sipper or a Poir Riff). Despite all its grandeur, though, that isn’t even the hotel’s primary drinkery. The star of the show is actually Lila29. Unsurprisingly located on the twenty-ninth floor — making it the highest bar in the city — Lila29 has panoramic views of the capital, which you can take in from the balcony (perhaps one of the world’s best cigarette spots) or from one of its super chic conversation-pit-style tables, where you’ll, fittingly, want to sit and yap for hours.

As with any good party, food is just as important as the booze, and it’s just as easy to come across. If you want to eat something in order to feel fancy as much as full, the Lobby Bar has up-market picky bits like oysters and olives. It also has some of the most delicious Wagyu sliders a person can consume (plus they’re great for soaking up the booze after one too many glasses of champers). Likewise, Lila29 has an array of Spanish-themed small plates to enjoy, many of which are of the fancy fish variety, but also include Iberico ham, croquetas and tortillas. Where the salt-of-the-earth scran is at, though, is The Standard’s third food and drink spot, Double Standard. The hotel’s all-day restaurant and bar, it sits somewhere between a diner and a brasserie (which is epitomised by their fried chicken and savoury Belgian waffles combo). It also has its finger on the pulse of which drinks are cool at the moment with its sublime ginger margaritas.

One of the other draws of Double Standard is that it’s located next to the hotel’s massive fuck-off orangery. In fact, it’s probably too large to be called an orangery. Essentially, it’s a botanical haven amid the concrete jungle that gives you the illusion of stepping out into a park, but it’s actually just another hang out in the hotel. And besides offering that little bit of verdant magic, it’s also a (much larger) answer to London’s Sweeties where partying is concerned. On their opening weekend alone, they had none other than Honey Dijon playing to an it-crowd comprising everyone from Lennon Gallagher to Layton Williams as champagne free-flowed and cigarettes were offered around on trays, because that’s just how things roll in mainland Europe.

Alas, with all that partying you’re probably going to need a good night’s sleep. And sleep well you will. The rooms are luxe without having all the overstimulating nonsense that a lot of upmarket hotels do. Instead, the furnishings speak for themselves, like the American-diner-adjacent table, geometric carpets à la ’80s era and playful circular details seen in both the metallic mini-bar and wooden shutters that separate the bedroom and bathroom. The lack of frou frou doesn’t mean the boudoirs don’t have everything you need, though — you’ll still find comfy hotel robes and a variety of teas to choose from as you unwind before slumbering on some crisp white sheets. Or maybe you’ll be more inclined to neck the mini bottle of Moët in the mini fridge after a little disco nap, just as The Standard overlords intended.