Some places have a knack for standing the test of time without ever losing their allure. At 62 rue Mazarine, L’Alcazar is making a triumphant comeback, breathing new life into the nights of Saint-Germain-des-Prés. Born in 1968, this legendary cabaret welcomed the likes of David Bowie, Josephine Baker, Liza Minnelli and Duke Ellington for wild nights where artists, partygoers and Parisian high society came together to let loose. Today, under the leadership of Walter Butler, who also owns Paradis Latin, this iconic institution is returning to its original calling: turning dinner into a show and every evening into a real event.
A Theatrical Setting That Steals the Show
For this new chapter, L’Alcazar has enlisted the talents of designer Sophie Lacroix. A spectacular glass roof, rich velvets, golden accents, mirrors and Art Deco influences create a setting that is as glamorous as it is theatrical. The stage is no longer confined to a few boards: singers, dancers and acrobats – taking over from the drag queens who recently performed here – rise above the crowd, weave between the tables and take centre stage in the heart of the room, thanks to a raised platform that blurs the boundaries between performers and audience.
Edith Piaf, Dalida, Brigitte Bardot, Mylène Farmer and Madonna: the greatest hits of our favourite icons are performed in rotation by the Paradis Latin troupe, delighting both Parisians in need of a little joy and Americans in search of that distinctly French touch of deliberately over-the-top kitsch. Those who take themselves too seriously need not apply: everyone is here to go with the flow! From Monday to Wednesday, the atmosphere is more intimate, with an à la carte dinner accompanied, depending on the evening, by piano and vocals or a live band. Come the end of the week, the big question is: are you team dinner show, kicking off the evening in style, or ready to party with a DJ until 2am? For those who can't decide, there's always the option of a quick drink at the bar, where a carefully crafted cocktail can be enjoyed from one of the fabulous leopard-print stools while taking in the show.
And the Food Is Just as Good
Let's be honest: seasoned cabaret-goers know that dinner shows are rarely renowned for the quality or originality of their food. And yet, at L’Alcazar, in a welcome exception to the rule, the food is every bit as worth booking for as the show itself. Chefs Zouhair Bouhlal and Guillaume Lutard have devised a generous menu designed to keep the party going all evening long. Truffle croque monsieur, perfect egg with morels and yellow wine, lobster linguine, sea bass fillet, crème brûlée and profiteroles: every dish we tried deserves a little extra attention. It's an invitation to rediscover a certain vision of Parisian nightlife – one where you come as much to dine as to be surprised, rub shoulders with the beautiful people and put off heading home for just a little longer.
Monday to Wednesday: à la carte dinner and live music, depending on the programme. Thursday to Sunday: dinner show at €90 per person, with arrival between 6pm and 6.30pm and the show at 6.45pm; or a full evening experience at €145 per person, with arrival from 8.15pm, the show at around 8.45pm and a DJ until 2am. Three-course menus; drinks extra.
© Walter Butler – The Bearded Gemini – Gaelle Le Boulicaut
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