The Royal Commission on Monuments and Landscapes has decided the Au Daringman in Brussels will not receive protection as a listed building. The commission says the interior of this iconic Brussels pub isn’t sufficiently valuable and repairs have not been carried out with great care. Owner Martine Peeters is disappointed and worried about the future: ‘There are so few unique cafés,’ she says.
Royal commission denies iconic Au Daringman protection amid claims of ‘bric-a-brac’
Colin Clapson
Published:
Brown wooden chairs, fake leather and, above all, lots of art deco. Cafés don't get more iconic than Au Daringman. The watering hole on the Vlaamsesteenweg even featured in The Guardian's list of best cafés. The Brussels government wanted to grant official recognition with an application to the royal commission on Monuments and Landscapes to offer protection as a listed building, but the commission is now advising against.
The commission says cheap materials that ‘mimic the look of art deco’ were used on the interior. Benches, the floor and panelling are very worn and were refurbished with substandard repairs.
New owner?
‘It’s a huge shame,’ thinks landlady Martine Peeters. ‘And that's the opinion of everyone who has anything to do with the Au Daringman. There are so few unique cafés. Nowadays, the only new pubs belong to chains or are lounge bars with a trendy décor. So, everything becomes very alike.’
Protection as a listed building would have been welcome for Martine. Her landlord has sold the café, and it is still uncertain whether she will be allowed to stay. ‘Negotiations are ongoing, and I still hope I can stay,’ she sighs. ‘I'm still scared what a next owner would do with the café. I can't bear to think of it.’