Red: it’s an appropriate name for this club in the heart of the Pigalle district, wedged between the teasing neon lights of the neighbouring Sexodrome and other peep-shows which compete along the street. Red is never empty, despite the €15 entrance and the drinks prices (€13 for a gin and tonic). But Rouge’s customers can afford it: trendy, affluent young Parisians gather here every weekend to dance, flirt, be seen and to sometimes watch shows by the likes of Metronomy, Gossip or Zombie Zombie. The programme is geared towards deep house and minimal techno and can be viewed on their website (you have to like their page to access it) or on their Facebook page.
Apart from a few minimal changes (a lick of paint, new sofas, a powerful sound system, some red lights) this rakish cabaret joint from the Roaring 20s has managed to miraculously preserve it’s original décor, all red velvet, mirrors, wood panelling and rococo gilding.