The Europa Hotel turns its Piano Restaurant into The Parlour
Hastings Hotels has completed an investment of almost €650,000 at the Europa Hotel in Belfast. The project turns the hotel's former Piano Restaurant into The Parlour and refreshes the adjoining Piano Lounge. Hospitality Ireland reported the completion on 5 October 2026.
The Parlour runs from daytime into the evening. It holds the hotel's afternoon tea service during the day and moves to small plates, wines, champagnes and signature cocktails later on. Hospitality Ireland describes an expanded open-plan space built to answer demand for flexible places to dine, drink and socialise through the day.
Afternoon tea by day, small plates after dark
The hotel's afternoon tea service moves into the new room. TTG carried the hotel's own notice of the opening, which describes a space that flows alongside the Piano Lounge and is set for relaxed daytime dining, afternoon teas and evening gatherings.
The evening service covers small plates, a wine list, champagnes and signature cocktails. TTG records views out over the city from the room and calls the setting bright, welcoming and intimate.
The grand piano and the live music corner
The Europa's grand piano stays in the room. Hospitality Ireland reports the piano repositioned as a focal point for live music and entertainment. TTG places the instrument in a dedicated area within the redesign.
The Piano Lounge refresh
The Piano Lounge takes new furnishings, banquette seating and a dedicated long cocktail table. The Irish News reports that table set out for a sociable drink while guests wait for a table in The Parlour. A new Italian marble floor runs outside the Grand Ballroom.
The interiors carry bespoke furniture, soft neutral tones, rich blue upholstery and brass detailing.
Two currencies for one project
Hospitality Ireland states the spend in euro. The Irish News puts the same project at £550,000. The European Central Bank reference rate for 5 October 2026 was GBP 0.8472 per euro. That rate puts £550,000 at about €649,200.
Where the new space sits in the hotel
The Parlour occupies the former Piano Restaurant and opens into the Piano Lounge. The Irish News places that lounge on the hotel's first floor, looking over Great Victoria Street. The Grand Ballroom sits inside the same building.
The hotel stands on Great Victoria Street in central Belfast.
The family group behind the Europa
Hastings Hotels owns the Europa and the Irish News describes the group as family-owned. The same report states that the Hastings family appointed PwC earlier in 2026 to handle the sale of its hotel portfolio, which takes in the Europa, the Culloden and the Grand Central Hotel. The Sunday Times put the group's six hotels at around £200 million.
McGinn and McNeill on the record
James McGinn, managing director of Hastings Hotels, said the Europa holds a unique place in Belfast's hospitality landscape and that holding that position requires continued investment and innovation. He said the project respects the character and history of the hotel and creates a contemporary hospitality experience.
Andy McNeill, general manager of the Europa Hotel, said the introduction of The Parlour represents an exciting new chapter for the hotel. He said the room answers the changing ways guests want to socialise, dine and relax, and that demand for the Piano Lounge continues to grow. The Irish News carries the fuller version of his quote, which adds additional seating capacity and new food and drink experiences for local guests and visitors to the city.
What the two reports leave unstated
The announcements give no seat count for The Parlour, no separate cost for the Piano Lounge works and no architect, designer or contractor. They carry no start date and no completion date. Neither report publishes an afternoon tea price, a menu price or a booking route for a table.