Brussels nap bar offers a chance to recharge and revive

The rush-hour mania dissolves as you enter the brightly lit waiting room. As the doors to the street close, the noise of the city subsides and gentle music takes over. A weary-eyed woman disappears into a relaxation room.

“It’s not unusual for people to take a nap during office hours, but before they had to go to the toilet, or to their cars during their lunch break, which isn’t very peaceful,” says Gaetan Oversacq. He’s the co-owner of Pauz, Belgium’s only nap bar, in Brussels’ European quarter.

Asked if Pauz can increase the EU institutions’ efficiency, Oversacq says with a smile: “Scientific studies show that even naps of less than 15 minutes increase vigilance and concentration by 40 and 60% respectively. It’s good for your work and for your health.”

Despite positioning itself as a nap bar, Pauz doesn’t look much different from any other spa or massage salon. What distinguishes it are mechanical massages – with no human contact – procedures where the clients are fully dressed, and no need to book appointments.

Pauz offers five relaxation options – a nap chair with optional light therapy, hydrojet and Shiatsu beds, and full-body and stretch massage chairs. Currently, the cheapest option is a simple nap – €7 for 15 minutes, with others costing up to €1 a minute.

The prices seems steep, but that’s not because of the location, says Oversacq. “When we open more places, the prices will be the same.”

Even though Pauz attracts mostly 40- to 55-year-olds working in the nearby EU institutions, various people pop in for a getaway. “We had a father come in for a nap; he was exhausted by his kids and just wanted a place to rest.”

A middle-aged woman, slumped on a chair in the waiting area, says that she’s “here for a short rest, away from the hustle and bustle of everyday life.” She works in the European Commission – “like most of the people here,” she says.

Similar innovative concepts have met with criticism due to their exclusive price structure and allegations that they contribute to gentrification. But Oversacq insists Pauz is different. “It’s true everyone around here has money,” he says, “but anyone is welcome. Pauz isn’t only for the EU and the Commission.”