l’Entrée des Artistes, Emma Stencil
Paris’ best playground is at the base of Montmartre, in the once red-light district turned bohemian paradise with no end of bars, boutique hotels, and late-night neo-bistrots. The Pigalle neighborhood has been reinventing itself over the past two years with the opening of cocktail bar innovators like Dirty Dick, Glass, and Lulu White. And the quartier continues to grow with the recent addition of l’Entrée des Artistes and Le Grand Pigalle Hotel, installed just across from each other on rue Victor Masse. Two more great reasons to head to north on a weeknight in Paris.
l’Entrée des Artistes, Melissa Leroux
l’Entrée des Artistes Pigalle
Early in 2015, the well-loved restaurant l’Entrée des Artistes packed their bags and moved from Oberkampf to a much larger space in Pigalle. There hasn’t been a better time to enjoy delicious small plates and cocktails among the ferns at the new multi-level, Art Deco establishment. Dim lighting and cozy corners in the ground-level speakeasy give way to an airy lofted dining room, where vast windows trimmed with heavy blue curtains let in natural light.
Le Grand Pigalle, Emma Stencil; l’Entrée des Artistes, Melissa Leroux; l’Entrée des Artistes, Melissa Leroux
Diners fill leather banquettes arranged along the exposed brick walls to sample a number of small plates. The menu is inventive and playful, mixing different cuisines and flavors to achieve a surprising result. A sweet and savory Asian shiitake ravioli in miso broth is followed by seasonal white asparagus and grapefruit. After fried monkfish in a rich coconut sauce appears an original and surprisingly tasty plate of squid and blood sausage topped with spring onions. A favorite dish revisits the traditional French blanquette de veau, or veal stew, adding breaded-and-fried balls of sweet rice and green peas. For dessert, opt for the strawberry meringue with paprika or the poached pear with vanilla and ricotta mousse, a house speciality.
The bar features a beautiful selection of natural wines from around the globe and a solid cocktail menu. Order “Le Bon,” a fresh gin cocktail with apple juice, celery, wasabi, and lime, and enjoy the late-night DJ spinning vinyl.
L’Entree des Artistes Pigalle – 30-32 rue Victor Masse, 75009. Tel: +33 (0)1 45 23 11 93
l’Entrée des Artistes, Melissa Leroux
Le Grand Pigalle Hotel
Just across the street is the pretty façade of Le Grand Pigalle, a boutique hotel with one of the best bars in Paris. French doors that line the length of the bar open onto rue Victor Masse, lending the perfect vantage point for people-watching at a busy Pigalle intersection.
The friendly bar staff provides great service (and off-the-menu drinks if you sit at the polished bar). Chat them up late in the evening and you’ll learn the story behind the New York Sour, basically a wine-spiked Whisky Sour and the world’s greatest cocktail accident.
Le Grand Pigalle, Emma Stencil
The bar proposes simple and refined French plates, good wines, and incredible old-world cocktails. Sample the Chicago Fizz, a frothy cocktail reminiscent of evenings spent in Windy City jazz bars, and order a plate of charcuterie to share.
An intimate Art Deco interior features beautiful mirrors, brass lamps, and polished wood tables with gold accents, playing up the Jay Gatsby ambiance. A proper New-Yorkais address with a whimsical Parisian touch, planted in the capital’s former red-light district, Le Grand Pigalle brings a wonderful ambience in the city.
Le Grand Pigalle – 29 rue Victor Masse, 75009. Tel: +33 (0)1 85 73 12 00
Le Grand Pigalle, Emma Stencil
Related Links
- Some of Paris’ best new cocktail bars are located just up the street in Pigalle.
- Before dinner check out Sept Cinq, a trendy concept store nearby in Pigalle.
- Slate France just published this interesting article on the rise of SoPi, the rapidly developing South Pigalle neighborhood.
Written by Emma Stencil for the HiP Paris Blog. Looking for a fabulous vacation rental in Paris, London, Provence, or Tuscany? Check out Haven in Paris.
WRITTEN BY
Emma Brode
Emma’s love for France began at the age of three when her aunt bought her an adorable gilet and skirt from Paris. Since then she’s jumped at every chance to explore Europe. She spends her weekdays studying (and tasting!) food and wine in Paris and travels on the weekends with her German husband. Check out @emmarosebrode on Instagram for her favorite restaurants in Paris and beyond.
Hi, I enjoy Hip Paris Blog a lot! But, I do have to report a disappointment. A few weeks ago, we went to the Grande Pigalle Hotel bar based on a review in the blog. While the hotel looks nice, the bar was dead as a doornail and the champagne poor quality. Not the jumping, hip place the review made it out to be. For what it’s worth – John Stengrevics
Dear John,
Hello! Thanks for keeping up with the HiP Paris Blog. We’re sorry to hear that you did not enjoy your time at the Grand Pigalle Hotel Bar. Perhaps certain nights are more popular than others. Unfortunately, July & August tend to be especially quiet as this is when many Parisians leave for vacation. We appreciate you sharing your thoughts!
-Isabel/HiP Paris