CHAT NOIR! review: Inside The Lost Estate’s Parisian experience

The original venue was first opened in 1881 by the impresario and master of ceremonies, Rodolphe Salis, as a cafe and haven for artists who could pay their way with talent rather than cash. These artists included poets and performers who combined singing and dancing with political satire.

The avant-garde cabaret quickly found roaring success and even had its own illustrated journal. This led Salis to seek a bigger venue, which became legendary with its dimly lit space, free-flowing absinthe, and acts ranging from music and poetry to singing and dancing. All of these acts had one thing in common: they blended brutally honest satire with art in all its forms, making it accessible to everyone rather than an elite.

The cabaret's symbol was the Chat Noir, literally meaning “black cat”, which featured in the now legendary artwork and iconic Chat Noir poster. It was a reference to the stray black cats that roamed the streets of Montmartre at night, and probably also to the radical young artists who moved between venues looking for a space in which to freely express themselves.

CHAT NOIR! is a new immersive experience created by the team at The Lost Estate, inviting you to travel back to 1890s Paris and experience the iconic Chat Noir cabaret club for one night only!

The Lost Estate shows immerse attendees in unique and richly detailed stories by blending music, performances, specially curated decor and food, making you feel as though you have just stepped into a world of your imagination. Rather than watching the experience unfold from the sidelines, each spectator feels like an integral part of the story. Tiny details unfold as I move around the room between acts and interact with waiters in character, creating a sense of anticipation and excitement.

Like its other production, 58th Street, CHAT NOIR! takes me on a journey as, not only a traditional audience member, but a key visitor to the club. As the host attends to me throughout the evening, a tribe of artists navigates the room, taking me to the heart of the first Parisian cabaret and building up to a powerful, shared sensory experience.

From the moment I navigate the dark corridors and enter the glamorously, dimly lit dining room, I know I’m in for a unique evening.

I’m stunned by the effort that had gone into recreating the ambience of the first cabaret bar of its kind in 1890s Paris, complete with velvet drapery, posters and artwork. The team has created more than just a backdrop to the show; they have meticulously layered the space, which reveals itself as you roam around. The room leans heavily into dark shadows and low lighting, complete with Art Deco lamps on the tables that creates a rich, moody atmosphere and a sense of intimacy.

I meet our host, the witty and dark prince of Parisian cabaret, Rodolphe Salis, portrayed by Joe Morrow, who has previously performed at Café de Paris and Proud Cabaret. Salis summons some of the greatest performers of the Belle Époque, setting the scene for the daring and audacious spectacle that unfolds throughout the evening.  

This evening, I am invited to the grand reopening of Le Chat Noir, Salis's new masterpiece, which he is confident will win over his critics to stun all of Paris and secure his legacy. Based around the three themes of Art, Absinthe and Anarchy (with the third part remaining an enigma), and armed with bucketloads of creative freedom and free-flowing absinthe, this visionary with a dash of madness is about to take me on the journey that’s seemingly set to change me forever.

The night unfolds with four of the Belle Époque’s most celebrated performers, brought to life by a talented cast, taking me on a whirlwind journey – complete with a live band, Les Enfants Vagabondes – and eye-popping performances spanning opera, mime, magic and dance.

• Witness astonishing magic from revered illusionist Joseph Bautier, portrayed by Magic Circle member Neil Kelso.  
• See the celebrated dancer Cléo de Mérode, portrayed by burlesque artist Coco Belle. Once a ballerina, she brings both elegance and a raucous, devilish energy to the stage, embracing the surrounding chaos.  
• Watch Paul Legrand, one of the era’s greatest mime artists, brought to life as Pierrot, the iconic white-faced, teary clown by Alexander Luttley (Pi the Mime). Don’t miss their moment on stage wearing a giant black cat head. 
• Discover the muse inspired by the famed chanteuse and provocateur Yvette Guilbert, played by Issy Wroe Wright, capturing her signature wit and irony. 

As part of the experience, I'm served a three-course banquet of exquisite French cuisine put together by former Gordon Ramsay Group, Temper and SmokeStak chef Ash Clarke.

The food here is inspired by 19th-century French fine dining and is accompanied by an air of rebelliousness... After being served a glass of champagne I opt for the vegetarian menu, which includes:

• A vegetarian pâté: I am impressed how the texture and fat jelly closely resembled that of a standard pâté. 
• Chartreuse de Légumes: an elaborate vegetable farce with truffle, spinach and pommes duchesse, bathed in a creamy sauce that we couldn't get enough of. 
• Lemon tart topped with raspberry coulis: a refreshing end to an extravagant feast. 

Additional dishes and supplements can be ordered, including French staples and classics such as snails with garlic butter and cheese, herb-crusted frog's legs, and plates of fine French cheese with pickles and grapes.  

Free-flowing absinthe and Belle Époque cocktails 

Then there’s absinthe... Considered the intoxicating poison of choice during the Belle Époque and the drink of choice of the bohemian elite, this medicinal tonic was transformed into a mystical, cloudy green drink that was believed to drive men mad. CHAT NOIR! gives you the chance to try this celebrated drink, as an absinthe fountain is brought to your table. Having never tried absinthe before, I was mesmerised by how the final drink comes together – watching the fountain being brought to my table and the slow, hypnotic drip of water over a cube of sugar, falling into my glass and diluting one of the strongest spirits I’ve ever tried. Absinthe, I felt, has a distinctly medicinal character with a powerful herbal flavour. The steady drip of water transforms the spirit into a cloudy mixture, releasing a strong aroma of anise as it fills the glass.

If absinthe is a bit too strong for your taste, head to The Emerald Bar, which has an inventive cocktail menu inspired by late-19th-century Belle Époque mixology. The selection ranges from the Punch Exotique (Exotic Punch), which delights with its pineapple rum and banana liqueur, to the surprisingly fruity Fruit Tentateur (Tantalising Fruit), which mixes pear juice with whisky, Sauternes wine and ginger ale. There is also a selection of non-alcoholic cocktails that do not disappoint. I try the Cup Anglais (English Cup), which is a mix of sparkling wine, white wine, elderflower and citrus fruits.

It seems as though an unspoken contract has been signed between the attendees and the performers... Everyone has a specific role to play in helping us to connect our inner Bohemian, in this opulent and decadent space.  

Surrounded by the wild abandon and spirit of the late-19th-century, attendees are transported to a world of spectacle, with acts coming and going, rather than a fully immersive show.  Artists, poets and provocateurs come together to present a wild and intoxicating performance, blending the elegance of Belle Époque artistry with delightful rebellion and anarchy. They challenge the status quo with exotic pleasures and flowing fountains of absinthe – the era's beloved “green poison”.  

The attention to detail is outstanding: the decor blends into the dining room and performance space, avoiding traditional theatrical staging and prioritising a lived-in experience. As the performers navigate the room, you are able to engage with the story at your own pace, with every attendee able to experience what the Parisian cabaret was, in an intimate and sensational way.