Le Carmen

Le Carmen is one of the most unusual and original bars right now in Paris. Set in French composer Bizet’s grandiose former residence (and named after his most famous opera) the recently opened cocktail bar draws in a rock and roll crowd to its decadent boudoir style space with its unparalleled setting, superlative drinks and innovative schedule of events.




The listed building just south of Pigalle (or SoPi, if you're a PR-type) provides a grand backdrop for swanky drinks with its painted ceilings, stucco cherubs and neo-classical columns. The gilded mirrors, grand piano and the low lighting only add to the romance of the place and yet the vibe is laidback, welcoming in a young fun crowd with evenings as diverse as book club to violin concerts or fashion week parties.



There is no cocktail menu, but the resident mixologist will rustle something up sur mesure depending on your preference and his inspiration (although mostly on the latter - he does tend, rather endearingly, to impose his cocktail ideas), which you can then sip in any of the apartment-like rooms or even in the human-scale birdcage for a more amorous moment.


Le Carmen
http://www.le-carmen.fr/
34 Rue Duperré, 75009 Paris, France

photos copyright Kim Laidlaw Adrey

7 comments:

  1. i second that - this space is really impressive without being intimidating. I love that they're trying for a range of evening entertainment and want to get down for one of the music nights. And, i especially love seeing things like this pop up so close to home for me!

    ReplyDelete
  2. I was speaking to a friend last night who said that the only thing he didn't like about Le Carmen was the teen-scene.... I can't say that I agree the crowd is solely super young - I think it depends on what night you go. What do you think, Forest?

    ReplyDelete
  3. This place looks nice, and I can understand the owners wanting to cash in on the Bizet connection, but what they seem to be wanting to promote is not strictly true. Bizet lived at 22 Rue de Douai (the same building?), on the 2nd floor, in an appartment 'de dimensions modestes'. He was very much the struggling artist in his lifetime, and I don't think he would have recognised such oppulence!

    ReplyDelete
  4. Beautiful recommendation!
    I will definitely head there in June...can't wait to see this in person...looks amazing and intimate.

    Merci beaucoup!
    Henri

    ReplyDelete
  5. Hi Adam. Yes - this seems to be correct. Bizet lived in this (listed) building, but not in the space where the bar situated. This doesn't take away from it's authentic nouvelle Athenes charm though, I don't think. I wonder how big "dimensions modestes" were at the time, and if they correspond to the often tiny flat sizes in Paris today or whether he had a 100m2 pad...one to investigate further!

    Henri - thanks for the comment! It really is lovely. Consult their facebook page perhaps before going to see what night there hosting, so you can find something to your taste, as , as mentioned, the schedule of events is quite eclectic! https://www.facebook.com/pages/Carmen/141653399215182 And let us know what you think!

    Kim

    ReplyDelete
  6. Can't wait to try it out. I missed the last book club but want to make the next one or drinks before that!!

    ReplyDelete
  7. I went there last Saturday - the bouncers gave us a bit of a hard time but once inside I really enjoyed the venue. It's just a shame it closed so early, 3am! But really wonderful atmosphere, free entrance, and the music wasn't so loud that you couldn't speak.

    ReplyDelete