3-4 Coventry Street,
West End,
London,
W1D 6BL
0872 148 3571
The ViewLondon Review
Opulence is what it’s all about at Cafe de Paris. Its success has lasted since 1924 so it's doing something right!The VenueCafe de Paris can be summed up in one word: extravagant. The main room is entered via two lavish staircases. The large chandelier that hangs over the centre of the dance floor is a real centrepiece and adds instant luxury to the surroundings, although it may be a bit over the top for some tastes. The main room holds the largest bar in the club, the stage where guest stars perform, the DJ booth, two podiums and a big dance floor. Overlooking the dance floor is the mezzanine where the VIP areas are located – keep your eyes peeled and you might spot a celebrity or two dancing above.
The only problem with the layout of the club is there’s no separate area to escape the crowds if you want a breather. The main area gets packed full, the dance floor quickly overspilling, and it can get uncomfortable. There are separate bars that are available for private hire, including the Blue Bar and Red Bar, but these aren’t often open to the general public.
The AtmosphereThe atmosphere at Cafe de Paris is a bit try-hard and can be pretentious considering this isn’t one of London’s most sought-after clubs. The door policy is strict as far as dress code and groups of men go, but expect trouble if you bump into the wrong person in the crowd. That said, you can expect a pretty fun night with a touch of glamour. When a star is performing on the stage the atmosphere is great – more like a concert than a club. On the whole it’s good for a fun night out with friends if you’re not after anything too exclusive but wish to avoid the tackier Late Night London bars and clubs.
The MusicThe music at Café de Paris is dependent on what night you go, but on the whole it’s commercial stuff – ranging from funky house to RnB and club classics. Don’t expect anything too serious if you’re a bit of a muso, just fun tunes to dance around to on the dancefloor. Stars such as Beverly Knight have performed on the stage and Fridays between 7pm and 10pm are a different affair as bands play live. It’s best to check in advance so you know who you’re getting.
The DrinkDrinks at Cafe de Paris are typical of London’s larger clubs – overly expensive and out to break the bank. They have a fully-stocked bar that gets busy but you’re not looking at the hour long waits like in some venues. However, try to go for pre-club drinks at a cheaper bar beforehand and keep club drinks to a minimum if you don’t want to spend a small fortune, otherwise you’ll be looking at wallet-draining rounds.
The Last WordCafe de Paris is a glamourous if slightly tacky club that is good for a fun night out with friends if you don’t take it too seriously. There are better glam clubs in the area if that’s what you want, but it’s worth a try – and especially make a visit if they have a celebrity act performing on the stage.
Cafe de Paris has been reviewed by 56 users