Cafe de Paris is cool again
I first visited Caf? de Paris three years ago, following a bad break-up. A cheesy dance was meant to cheer me up, but the men were so slitheringly lecherous that, 20 bum pinches later, I was crying into my martini anew.
'We've worked hard to eradicate that sort of clientele,' says Nathan Coombs, the PR manager for what he affectionately calls 'The Caf?'. These days, you're more likely to be accosted by a performer on roller skates, a juggler on stilts, or Boy George in a glittery hat serenading club-goers with 'Blue Moon'.
The lavish dancehall has returned to its roots with themed nights, cabaret entertainment and an eclectic mix of music - all a refreshing change for Londoners bored with superclubs and pretentious members' bars.
Recent visitors have included Usher (who got up on stage for an impromptu performance), Mark Wahlberg, Alexander McQueen, Elle Macpherson, the Prodigy and Anita Pallenberg.
Over the years guests and performers have included Frank Sinatra, Mick Jagger and Andy Warhol. During the late Eighties - 'the dark years' - The Caf? lost its cool to a meat-market vibe. The arrival of a young, new team a few years ago gave it the fix it needed. And the rebirth looks set to continue following the recent sale, with new owners planning to revamp the restaurant.
Boy George, a regular in the early Eighties, has recently rediscovered the venue: 'I'm tired of all these clubs where everyone is wearing shell suits, I demand glamour!'
What George wants, George gets and there's glamour in abundance at Merkin, a once-a-month Wednesday-night experience at The Caf?, run by the infamous Miss Dee along with Carollyn Mac.
'It's all about dressing up for a big night out like we did in the Eighties,' says Miss Dee, who has so far pulled in DJs Adamski, Danny Rampling and Pam Hogg.
Recently, the club has played host to film premiere after-parties (Ocean's Eleven, Charlotte Gray), music bashes (P Diddy, Prince), fashion shows (Pauric Sweeney, Dave and Joe) and it was also Ant and Dec's venue of choice on departure from SM:tv.
The Caf? also hosts in-house nights with the London lounge night by KLR on a Thursday, Caf? Society on Saturdays and magicians, breakdancers and irrepressible party people almost every night. 'It's the best venue in London,' says Boy George. Might as well give it a spin, then. Molly Gunn
Caf? de Paris, 4 Coventry Street, W1 (020 7734 7700; www.cafedeparis.com).
The next Merkin night is 17 April
