215-217 Piccadilly,
West End,
London,
W1J 9HN
0871 971 4510
The ViewLondon Review
The diamond in the rough of Piccadilly Circus, The Pigalle Club goes against everything that’s wrong with the majority of clubs and bars in Central LondonThe VenueWalking into the club is like stepping into a time machine and being catapulted back to the 1950s. Attention to detail is key here, and nothing can be faulted. The outside is pretty in pink, The Pigalle Club sign hanging proudly, standing out against the rest of the cheesy clubs that it neighbours. As you walk in you descend down a twisting staircase and through corridors that are beautiful in their simplicity. The decor is authentic 50s style. Inside is something more akin to a theatre than a club and it’s all about the table service. There are tables around the main bar but for a night of true entertainment go for where all the action takes place - by the dance floor and main stage. Imagine the beautiful venues where award ceremonies are held and you get the idea of what to expect. Tables are artfully dressed with crisp white tablecloths adourned with gleaming glasses, and the opulent leather seating makes you feel you’re somewhere really special - far removed from what’s going on outside in Piccadilly.
The AtmosphereThis is where The Pigalle Club brushes off its rivals and streaks ahead with its five star rating. The atmosphere here is nothing short of incredible. Once the live sets begin people get up and dance the night away on the glimmering dance floor. And these aren’t your usual clubbers. The average age of the dancers is a lot older than in any other club, but they show anyone under the age of 40 how it’s really done. Many were professional dancers in their time and the steps are intricate as they become part of the entertainment. Later in the evening the casts of nearby musicals such as Chicago come to Pigalle to let loose and hit the dance floor. Watching some of the best musical stars in London dancing to live music is a treat, especially for the low price of a club ticket. They don’t even bother getting changed so the period costumes only add to the feeling you’ve been whisked back in time. If you’re a fan of Dirty Dancing, then you can’t fail to watch in awe at some of the amazing swing moves struck out right in front of you.
The MusicLive acts perform every night and range from swing and rock ‘n’ roll to jazz and the blues to acoustic sets. The music is sexy and glamorous and the acts are top class. If you sit by the stage you can’t fail to be impressed. This, coupled with the dancing that goes on around the set, is what stands this venue far apart from all the rest.
The FoodFood is a big part of the whole experience here. There is table service and the menu is reasonable - £30 for two courses or £45 for three. There aren’t a lot of options, but the food is top-end, especially for a club in Central London. For meat-eaters there is everything from rabbit soup to halibut and the fish, in particular, is really well cooked. However, as is the norm with such cuisine, the vegetarian option is lacking. But the food is great for the price and adds to the theatrical atmosphere.
The DrinkThe drinks focus on the wine with dinner and the cocktails at the bar. Drinks are expensive - the average price of a cocktail is £9 - but they are delicious, beautifully presented and, like with everything else at the club, close attention is paid to every detail.
The Last WordLeave modern-day London behind for the evening and go to this classy, sexy hub of 1950s understated glamour. A marvel for Piccadilly Circus.