The diamond in the rough of Piccadilly Circus, Pigalle Club goes against everything that’s wrong with the majority of clubs and bars in Central London.

The Venue
Walking into Pigalle Club is like stepping into a time machine and being catapulted back in history. Attention to detail is key here. The outside is pretty in pink, the Pigalle Club sign 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 with a dark olive green colour scheme.

Inside is more akin to a theatre than a club and it’s all about the table service. The main bar area sits behind a wooden divide, where you can pay to see the show but not have dinner. Past here, on a large dance floor and stage are the dining tables. 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 adorned with gleaming glasses, and the opulent stage makes you feel you’re somewhere really special - far removed from what’s going on outside in Piccadilly. There‘s also an upstairs mezzanine area with further tables overlooking the action below.

The Atmosphere
This is where Pigalle Club brushes off its rivals and streaks ahead. The atmosphere here is nothing short of incredible. Once the live sets begin people get up and dance or sit back in awe. And these aren’t your usual clubbers. Girls in mini dresses and guys in shiny shirts are refreshingly absent and the supper club appeal of the venue is reflected in the effort people make to look chic and well dressed. The average age of clubbers is older here - that’s not to say that you don’t get groups of twentysomethings out for a birthday party but you’ll also find older couples enjoying the entertainment.

Based where it is, you may also find that later in the evening the casts of nearby musicals such as Chicago come to Pigalle Club to 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 Music
Live acts perform every night and range from swing and rock ‘n’ roll to jazz, blues and acoustic sets. There’s also burlesque courtesy of the famed Tassel Club, with an eclectic set of cabaret, burlesque and live music. Whatever night you go, 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.

The Food
Food is a big part of the experience here. There is table service and the menu is reasonable, being a part of a set price that varies depending on the event but comes in at around £50 for three courses and club entry.

The menu is small but balanced with four options each for starters, mains and desserts. To start, a dish of pumpkin soup is well balanced with a thick consistency and underlying sweetness that works well with the crisp croutons. Alternatively, a generous portion of tangy pan fried goats cheese is complemented by crisp, crunchy green beans, shallots and a slightly sweet cherry vinegar dressing with an underlying tang. Both dishes are beautifully presented.

For mains, a creamy wild mushroom risotto is well cooked and perfectly textured so as not to be too gloopy. A selection of well portioned earthy mushrooms complement the creamy flavours of the risotto to produce a balanced vegetarian dish. Alternatively, the char grilled rack of lamb is cooked well to specification - recommended pink - and is tender with a delightful sweetness. Couple this with a rich garlic mash and earthy, plump mushrooms in a herby parsley sauce and you’ll find it a delicious example of the dish.

Desserts aren’t entirely inspiring but the ice cream is creamy with deep flavours of pistachio, strawberry, vanilla and chocolate coming through, whilst the tiramisu is beautifully presented in a butter biscuit basket. The coffee undertone is well balanced by the creaminess of the pudding but the biscuit basket is more for show and does little to lift the flavours.

The Drink
The drink focus here is on wine with dinner and cocktails at the bar. Drinks are average for the area at around £9 a cocktail but they are inventive with the Crumble tasting a lot like a blackberry crumble, with a sweetness that doesn’t overpower the flavour of the alcohol. Champagne cocktails are on the pricier side at just over £10 but the berry bellini - a berry twist on the classic - is delicious, well presented in a Champagne glass with a pleasant aftertaste of blackberries coming out over the sparkling Champagne. The wine list is also impressive, with a large selection of red and white bottles ranging from under £20 to over £60. If you fancy a beer then there are a selection of bottles available.

The Last Word
Leave modern-day London behind for the evening and go to this sexy hub of understated glamour. A marvel for Piccadilly Circus.

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