The Chacha Club is the latest Parisian hotspot, opened three weeks ago and already packed to the rafters (despite the rumor that Paris is "dead" in August).

Its unlikely location overlooking the gardens of Les Halles doesn't lessen the effect of the impressive black façade. At the door are a few burly gentlemen manning the velvet rope, a voiturier, and Christopher, the charming manager who was lured  back to Paris from New York for the occasion.

Inside, the sober 1930s style decor is lightened by a few whimsical touches. To the left, the dining room for the restaurant, with windows overlooking the street and the Fumoir (right), a real smoking room with leather armchairs and elegant furnishings to lessen the fishbowl aspect. Past the Fumoir, the spacious bar with its disco ball and DJ podium. To the right, several tiny salons for small groups. A staircase leads upstairs, where you'll find a small lounge, a music studio, and an actual bathroom with a huge bathtub. No sign of bubble bath. Perhaps it's on request.

Back on the main level, another staircase by the entrance leads down to the actual restrooms, which -- on purpose or accidental -- have no sign signifying which are for men and which are for women. So everyone goes where they please. At the far end of the what's supposed to be the ladies' room is a door. Next to the door is a small glowing panel (left). If you knew the code, you'd know what was inside. But again, that's on request only. We wouldn't want too many people to know there's a bedroom behind that door.

By 1am the dance floor is packed full of mostly 20-something beauties dancing to INXS, Michael Jackson's Thriller, and remixes of the Black Eyed Peas in their finest BCBG outfits. Alas, no cha cha dancing. The more mature clientele claim their tables for the evening, reservations oblige. 

Chacha Club
47 rue Berger, 1st
Tel 01 40 13 12 12
Open daily, 7pm-5am.
Restaurant open 8pm-1am.

All photos from the Chacha Club website.