The Café de Paris was a nightclub in the West End of London, active from 1924-41 and 1948-2020. It was located on Coventry Street, which runs between Leicester Square and Piccadilly Circus.

Venue: Café de Paris
Town: London, GB
Capacity: 700

The Café de Paris was a nightclub in the West End of London, active from 1924-41 and 1948-2020. It was located on Coventry Street, which runs between Leicester Square and Piccadilly Circus. In the 1930s it became one of the leading theatre clubs in London. On 8 March 1941, during The Blitz bombing campaign of the Second World War, the club was hit by a German bomb. The explosion killed at least 34 people, injured at least 80, and caused extensive damage to the building. The deceased included Kathleen Dunsmuir, daughter of James Dunsmuir, Governor of British Columbia. The club remained closed until 1948, when it reopened. The club regained its popularity in the 1950s and operated successfully for decades. It closed permanently in December 2020, due to the economic effects of the COVID-19 pandemic in the United Kingdom. The venue was re-opened in February 2023 under a new name, Lío London. Café de Paris first opened in 1924 and subsequently featured such performers as Dorothy Dandridge, Marlene Dietrich, Harry Gold, Harry Roy, Ken Snakehips Johnson and Maxine Cooper Gomberg. Louise Brooks made history when she worked there in December 1924, introducing the Charleston to London. Much of the early success of the Café de Paris was due to the visit of the then Prince of Wales who became a regular guest, often dining with notables from high society across Europe. Cole Porter was a regular, as was Aga Khan III. On the outbreak of the Second World War, the venue lowered its entry prices. It became less socially exclusive and attracted a more mixed clientele, including many officers from the armed forces on leave. On 8 March 1941, soon after the start of a performance, a 50-kilogram (110 lb) bomb fell down a ventilation shaft into the basement ballroom and exploded in front of the stage. At least 34 people were killed and around 80 injured. The victims included the 26-year-old bandleader Ken "Snakehips" Johnson, his saxophonist Dave "Baba" Williams, other band members, staff