Faust

Spreading its wicker chairs across a cute riverside terrace located beneath the Pont Alexandre III, Faust's outdoor bar jostles with its neighbours Le Flow and En Attendant Rosa for the attention of the moneyed and trendy. It’s a rather high-end affair: champagne, rosé and fashionable dress are the order of the day, even if the diner-inspired cuisine won’t set you back too much (€12 for a cheeseburger with coleslaw; less for a side salad or cheesecake).

Inside, things get even fancier. A restaurant, a nightclub and a performance space jostle for your money in an impressive 700-metre-square venue. The brainchild of Iranian businessman Addy Bakhtiar, who also set up Showcase just across the river, Faust offers a bit of everything: fashion shows, gigs, educational programmes, conferences and club nights are all hosted. It's all rather classy and errs on the side of the mainstream. Hip hop and electro fill the club, whose walls are composed of pixellated tiles that light up in time with the beat. The restaurant, meanwhile, is an ever-so-slightly soulless brasserie that serves up quality steaks, seafood and cocktails at dear prices.

On balance, Faust is a promising venue in an attractive setting. With Bakhtiar's backing, we hope it can transcend the hype to become something truly special.