London's Cafe de Paris in Piccadilly is one of the most famous venues in the world. Opening almost 90 years ago in 1924, it is still the venue of choice for politicians, musicians, actors and even royalty.
After opening under the guidance of impresario Harry Foster, the Cafe immediately became the place to go after the Prince of Wales became a regular guest and brought with him Europe's elite. Further names and faces such as The Aga Khan and the Mountbattens ensured the continuing popularity of the venue which attracted the top musicians of the day including Cole Porter.
Despite a post-war restoration and visits from Princess Margaret, Eartha Kitt, Noel Coward, and Grace Kelly, the Cafe became a victim of changing tastes and lost the edge that had carried it through the War right through to the late 1950s. After a brief revival in the 1980s when midweek club nights attracted the likes of George Michael, Mick Jagger, Boy George and a young Naomi Campbell, as well as becoming a favourite for film producers (prominently featuring in Scandal, Absolute Beginners and the gangster flick, The Krays) it once again lay dormant until reopening in 1996 among worldwide publicity.
Today, the Cafe has been lovingly restored and regularly attracts top names and is the venue of choice for the likes of MTV, Puff Daddy, Prince and The Spice Girls. With thanks to The Cafe de Paris
After opening under the guidance of impresario Harry Foster, the Cafe immediately became the place to go after the Prince of Wales became a regular guest and brought with him Europe's elite. Further names and faces such as The Aga Khan and the Mountbattens ensured the continuing popularity of the venue which attracted the top musicians of the day including Cole Porter.
Despite a post-war restoration and visits from Princess Margaret, Eartha Kitt, Noel Coward, and Grace Kelly, the Cafe became a victim of changing tastes and lost the edge that had carried it through the War right through to the late 1950s. After a brief revival in the 1980s when midweek club nights attracted the likes of George Michael, Mick Jagger, Boy George and a young Naomi Campbell, as well as becoming a favourite for film producers (prominently featuring in Scandal, Absolute Beginners and the gangster flick, The Krays) it once again lay dormant until reopening in 1996 among worldwide publicity.
Today, the Cafe has been lovingly restored and regularly attracts top names and is the venue of choice for the likes of MTV, Puff Daddy, Prince and The Spice Girls. With thanks to The Cafe de Paris