As one of the most popular and well-known LGBTQ+ parties in Europe,, La Demence attracts an international crowd looking to have a wild night out. This party is no joke, as it can go until 12 p.m. the next day, so expect a long night out. More than just your typical circuit party, the diverse gathering consists of fetish, latex, and leather lovers, bears, muscle queens, and the young and more mature. The dress code is whatever you want it to be. It’s held 12 times a year on Fridays, usually hosted by Fuse, one of Belgium's best nightclubs.

About La Demence

La Demence is one of the most important gay parties, not just in Belgium, but in Europe as a whole. It started over 30 years ago as a weekly Sunday party, eventually transforming into its current format as a Friday night monthly party at Fuse in Brussels. Brussels is an ideal international location, attracting visitors from all over, often from nearby France, Germany, and The Netherlands, but also Spanish, British, Italian, and even American attendees. Although Fuse is the main venue, fitting 2,000 attendees, La Demence occasionally expands to other locations. Twice a year, the party takes over Palais 12, most recently with over 8,000 visitors. The eccentric crowd of all ages, styles, and nationalities gathers to dance, cruise, and meet new people. View website →

Why Attend La Demence

  1. the DJs- La Demence features some of the best DJs in Europe with an all night long party that allows at least eight DJs per night including Andrei Stan, Ben Manson, Bernard Gavilan, Chris Bekker, Dikky Vendetta, Elias, John Dixon, Jon Doe, Kenny Perry, Pagano, Paul Heron, Sebastien Triumph, and Steven Redant.
  2. the people – Gay circuit parties tend to attract one very particular group of gym-going muscle queens of a certain age and style which can be intimidating and exclusive. This is not the case for La Demence which has a much more varied community of people creating a welcoming and fun space where you’re sure to have a good time and find your own.
  3. the experience – the party brings in guests from 80 different countries to one location in one of Europe’s most exciting capital cities for an unforgettable night of dancing and mischief that’s a must-have experience. Many regions in North America and Europe have their own circuit parties, but none quite like this 14 hour one with such a long history and unique attendees dressed up and dressed down enjoying the scene, the themed shows, and the lively music.

Why Attend La Demence

  • The DJs – La Demence features some of the best DJs in Europe, hosting all-night-long parties with at least eight DJs per event. Regulars include Andrei Stan, Ben Manson, Bernard Gavilan, Chris Bekker, Dikky Vendetta, Elias, John Dixon, Jon Doe, Kenny Perry, Pagano, Paul Heron, Sebastien Triumph, and Steven Redant.
  • The People – Gay circuit parties often attract a specific group of gym-going muscle queens of a certain age and style, which can be intimidating and exclusive. This is not the case at La Demence, which boasts a much more varied community, creating a welcoming and fun space where you’re sure to have a good time and find your own crowd.
  • The Experience – The party attracts guests from 80 different countries to one location in one of Europe’s most exciting capital cities for an unforgettable night of dancing and mischief. While many regions in North America and Europe have their own circuit parties, none quite compare to this 14-hour event with such a long history, unique attendees, themed shows, and lively music.

What to Expect from a La Demence Party?

  • Themes – La Demence parties typically occur on Friday nights once a month, with special parties held the night before bank holidays. Past themes include Wonderland, Happy Easter, Socks, Juicy Bear, and Army Boys.
  • Price – Tickets start at around 25€ for a typical party and increase for special events, such as the recent 30th-anniversary party, which spanned four days. A special discount is available for attendees under 26 years old.
  • Size – La Demence usually attracts 2,000+ attendees for its legendary parties. However, special events can draw up to 8,000 partygoers from across the globe.
  • The Crowd – One of the best features of this event is its unique and diverse crowd. Gay men of all ages, styles, and nationalities attend regularly, guaranteeing you’ll find your scene and perhaps discover new ones.
  • Location – Most parties are held at Fuse, a massive club in Brussels, which hosts La Demence as its only gay party. The venue features three rooms, four bars, two dance floors, and a dark room.
  • Atmosphere – La Demence parties have a welcoming and inclusive ambiance that celebrates the diversity of its attendees, all looking to have a great time at one of Europe’s largest and most popular gay parties.
  • Music – Expect an eclectic variety of music across multiple rooms, generally progressing from techno to house. Eight international DJs keep the energy alive until noon the next day.

La Demence Reviews and Videos

La Demence has been producing gay parties in Brussels for over 30 years and has earned a reputation comparable to the White Party in the U.S., which originated in Palm Springs. The event is well known for its creative themes, which you can incorporate into your outfit for the night.

We attended several of their festive parties during The Cruise by La Demence, an annual week-long cruise in Europe with stops in cities like Lisbon, Gran Canaria, Rome, and Dubrovnik, depending on the year and route.

One of the highlights of The Cruise was the themed, over-the-top parties. With more than a dozen DJs from around the world, each night featured indoor and poolside nighttime parties where guests dressed in their most elaborate costumes. Some people literally brought two suitcases just to fit their costumes for the different themes throughout the week. We had a fantastic time dressing up and attending as many day and night parties as we could handle. It was truly a remarkable experience.

You can also read comments on Facebook from loyal La Demence fans.

Popular Gay Hotels in Brussels

If you're visiting Brussels, you'll need to find a place to stay. There aren't any gay-specific hotels or properties in Brussels, but the city is incredibly gay-friendly. A few popular gay favorites include NH Collection Brussels Grand Sablon, Le Berger Hotel, Thon Hotel Bristol Stephanie and Vintage Hotel. 

You can also try the booking site misterb&b, which features listings from gay hosts where you can either rent a whole apartment or a private room in a shared apartment. Understanding Brussels' gay scene is much easier with the help of a local, and apartment sharing is one of the best ways to meet someone who knows how things work, where and when the best nights out are, and which places to eat at—or avoid.

Interested in attending another circuit party?

Check out our list of the top 10 gay circuit parties in the world. This list includes the most popular and large-scale international parties. Many of these are world-renowned, and people travel from around the globe to attend the events and visit the destination cities. We personally love traveling and visiting a city during major events, so it’s worth considering attending one of these and planning a trip around your visit.

 

Image credit: La Demence