VIBE

Though it started out as an exclusive 17th century tennis court, this Latin Quarter property degenerated over the centuries from chichi to proletarian and downright seedy before being restored by restaurant czar Terence Conran back to a pleasure garden for the city’s most moneyed residents. Down in the airy ground floor dining room, suited types nibble on très sophistiqué French fare, while up on the overlooking mezzanine a younger version of the upscale clientele lolls about on heaps of cushions, sips potent cocktails, and sways to a sultry soundtrack of lounge tunes. Later in the evening, once the diners have retreated, things take a turn for the festive with a trendy DJ, a lively scene at the curvy zinc bar, and even a bit of stylish dancing.

WHAT WE WOULD WEAR

Trendy smart casual; we’d go with a sexy (yet refined) little cocktail dress and sassy heels.

GO HERE WITH

The girls; a date; colleagues or clients

CROWD

Well heeled; mix of bankers with loosened ties, suave hipsters, and fashion industry insiders.

WHY WE LIKE IT

Early in the evening, this is a great spot for a chilled-out drink and people watching. When we’re in the mood for partying, the DJed “musical soirées” (Wednesdays to Saturdays) are one of our top picks.

WHAT WE WOULD CHANGE

Service (comme toujours in Paris’s fashionable spots) can be snooty.

GOOD TO KNOW

The set bar menu is a good deal if you want a light meal–it offers one main and one drink for EUR 25. The mezzanine and restaurant can both be hired for conferences, breakfast events, and (this being Paris) fashion shows. Also, like other nightlife hotspots around town (Hotel Costes, Buddha Bar), La Mezzanine de L’Alcazar puts out its own CDs of lounge tunes, so you can take the party with you wherever you go.

CLOSEST COMPS

Hotel Costes (Paris); ADCB (Los Angeles)

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