3-4 Coventry Street,
West End,
London,
W1D 6BL
0872 148 3571
The ViewBournemouth Review
Café De Paris has attracted the entire alphabet of celebrities - from A-to-Z - through its Grade 11-listed doors over its near 90-year history, and by programming events like the riotous Wam Bam Club cabaret show on Saturday evenings, the venue continues to show it’s got plenty to offer those looking for a big night out in the West End.
The Venue
Located in one of the most hectic, touristy parts of the West End, Café De Paris harks back to an era inhabited by the now defunct Hammersmith Palais and Camden Theatre (now KOKO). It’s a grand ballroom space, with a centrepiece stage and dance floor, and decorative features such as gold leaf embossed pillars and decadent chandeliers. A balcony area, including the VIP space, is accessible via two parallel stairwells and it’s here you get the best view of the action.
The Atmosphere
Without a doubt one of the biggest assets to the venue is the Wam Bam Club on Saturdays. This show brings farcical comedy and magic, inventive burlesque and even circus-style acrobatics to the stage. Don’t be surprised to see members of the audience dragged up on stage and mounted like a horse by one of the busty acts, only to fall over whilst trying to exit the stage – it’s that sort of gig.
After the show, the tables are cleared away and the venue transforms itself into a heaving mass of bodies on the dance floor, for what is a hugely popular if fairly commercial clubbing experience, albeit one with the odd celebrity endorsement.
Of particular note – especially considering the postcode– is that staff, from the courteous doormen to the bar and restaurant team, are very friendly and courteous.
The Music
In the main room you’ll hear the DJ playing a crowd-pleasing mix of RnB and house. One of the club’s best kept secrets is its back bar, where a lot of the performers congregate after the show, and it’s here you'll hear all-time classics like ‘Hit The Road Jack’ played by a dapper-looking DJ.
The Food
A 3-course meal and the Wam Bam show costs £75 per person (although you can just watch the show for about half this price). Expensive? Undoubtedly, but this is the sort of place where everyone seems to be celebrating some sort of special occasion (it’s particularly popular with hen and birthday parties). Service starts at 7pm and you will have been served your starter and main by the time the curtain goes up at 8pm. This means it feels a little rushed and an extra half an hour would make all the difference.
From a set list of starters, both the king prawn option and the goat’s cheese croquettes are pedestrian, with little sign of any flair. Mains are better, a breast of chicken with cheesy dauphinoise potatoes and asparagus is the best dish of the sitting, and it’s huge – the portion completely swamps a large plate. The Tamworth pork is less successful as the pork is dry. Desserts, served during the interval if you wish, are perfectly acceptable, especially an enjoyable strawberry mile-feuille (flaky pastry and fresh cream).
The Drink
Cocktails are good value at £7.50; the Last Bison (vodka, apple juice) and the Watermelon Martini are two highlights. A bottle of red merlot is also the standard choice for diners, with shots of sambuca taking over as the rocket fuel of choice later on. Naturally, a comprehensive list of beers, spirits and champagne is also on offer.
The Last Word
With its friendly staff, most excellent Wam Bam show and historical setting, Café De Paris offers an unpretentious night of entertainment in the West End. Just make sure you plan a quick escape route once you step outside into the tourist-clogged Piccadilly afterwards.
Cafe de Paris has been reviewed by 110 users