OUR STORY
THE THOUSAND LIVES OF DE ULTIEME HALLUCINATIE :
THE REBIRTH OF AN ART NOUVEAU GEM
Housed in the former Cohn-Donnay Hotel, redesigned by Paul Hamesse, De Ultieme Hallucinatie blends history, imagination, and Art Nouveau. Over time, it has been a townhouse, an artistic haven, and a cult nightlife venue. Today, it welcomes a brasserie steeped in period charm.
Guests settle into a unique décor featuring, among other treasures, tram-style banquettes designed by Van de Velde. A place where every detail tells a story…
A HOUSE BORN TO THE RHYTHM OF BRUSSELS… AND ITS INHABITANTS
Since 1836, the house has evolved alongside the transformations of Rue Royale and the personalities who lived there. Among them: painter Verboeckhoven, the Whittnall–Brown couple, and above all pianist Marie Pleyel, who lived here for 25 years and left an indelible artistic mark.
Later, the Vandenperre family established their wine and spirits business here, developing the vast cellars that would eventually become an iconic nightlife venue.
WHEN PAUL HAMESSE SCULPTED A DREAM…
In 1904, Hamesse transformed the residence into a refined Art Nouveau jewel: undulating bow window, airy balcony, and salons conceived as a harmonious ensemble. The interior reveals a coherent and elegant universe, influenced by the Wiener Secession and Mackintosh. These spaces are now among the finest testimonies of his work.
NIGHTLIFE EXPLOSION AND URBAN LEGENDS
In the 1980s, the venue became an unmissable nightlife hotspot. Artists, civil servants, and free spirits mingled in an electric atmosphere. Beneath the building, a secret nightclub drew the likes of Cliff Richard, Johnny Hallyday, ZZ Top, INXS, and Bryan Adams. A vibrant, legendary era.
A PATIENT AND AMBITIOUS REBIRTH
Since 2019, De Ultieme Hallucinatie has rediscovered its original spirit : a welcoming, vibrant and resolutely creative place. In addition to the restaurant, the venue now hosts private events, meetings and cultural activities. And the future looks bright: the revival of the Pleyel Pavilion, an Art Nouveau Airbnb, and perhaps even the return of the legendary nightclub. A must-visit address that looks to the future while honouring its many past lives.