In the chic 8th arrondissement of Paris, on Rue Jean Goujon, a new venue is attracting attention as much as it is intriguing insiders. Its name? FrivolousIts ambition? To offer a festive, relaxed and refined experience in a setting that is as surprising as it is seductive.
This restaurant with a terrace, located in the heart of La Maison Champs-Élysées, is unlike any other in this neighborhood, which is often more hushed than teeming. Frivole brings a breath of freedom to the Golden Triangle, between assumed lightness, inspired mixology and generous sharing cuisine.
A bright address... and out of sight
From the moment you enter, Frivole seduces with its theatrical elegance, without ever falling into ostentation. On one side, a vast glass roof bathed in light, where a central bar resembling a stage reigns. This is where the heart of the place beats, between DJ sets, clinking glasses, and the scent of freshly mixed cocktails. The atmosphere is lively, friendly, almost magnetic. But for those who prefer confidentiality to excitement, Frivole also reserves more hushed corners, hidden from view. Curved lines, velvet benches, subdued lighting... each space has been designed to adapt to the mood of the moment: immersing oneself in the collective energy or savoring an intimate interlude.
And on sunny days, the large terrace hidden behind the restaurant reveals itself as a rare gem. Bordered by vegetation, it offers an unexpected haven of peace, right in the heart of Paris, where you can happily linger over a lunch in the sun or a lingering drink at nightfall.
Signature cocktails and cuisine to nibble on
At Frivole, mixology isn't a detail; it's at the heart of the experience. The bar isn't a setting, but a true creative laboratory where cocktails are designed as liquid narratives. Each composition explores an emotion, a season, a memory. Among the signature drinks not to be missed: Naughty Cup, a bold combination of white peach, rosemary mousse and Prosecco bubbles; or Midnight in Deauville, more mysterious, with its woody notes that evoke nighttime escapades by the sea. More mischievous, The Ravager combines freshness and impertinence in a perfectly mastered balancing act.
The menu evolves with the seasons, as do the team's inspirations, always guided by a desire to surprise without ever overdoing it. And to complement these elixirs, the cuisine focuses on sharing, well-crafted simplicity, and the taste of quality produce.
Here, there's no fixed gourmet menu, but a series of small plates to nibble on, share, and discuss. We pass the dishes around, taste, and mix and match. Among the favorites: the marinated salmon pizzette, the stracciatella flavored with basil oil, or the Frivole croque with truffled ham, given a touch of panache. Lovers of fine produce will also appreciate the crispy foie gras with plum sauce, or the Frivole-au-vent scallops, a playful nod to the traditional vol-au-vent.
Heartier appetites will find what they're looking for with the sea bass or the 1,2 kg Angus prime rib, to be enjoyed with friends in a friendly atmosphere. A generous, straightforward, no-nonsense cuisine that focuses on quality ingredients and thoughtful pairings. All at reasonable prices, without taking itself too seriously.
A place to live, between day and night
What makes Frivole unique is also its ability to transform itself. At lunchtime, the restaurant welcomes a clientele of local regulars, as well as curious passersby, in a chic and relaxed atmosphere. In the evening, the lights dim, the music amps up, and conversations become more intimate or more lively. From Thursday to Saturday, DJ sets take over, keeping the room rocking until late, without ever going overboard.
Every Tuesday, the terrace comes alive with relaxed afterwork drinks, featuring barbecues, chilled rosé, and live acoustic music. A program designed for epicureans, hedonists, and lovers of fast-paced yet elegant evenings. Frivole is an evolving venue, where people come for a leisurely lunch or spontaneously dance over cocktails.
A bold and committed aesthetic
The decor combines classic elegance with offbeat artistic touches. Moiré fabrics, polished brass, deep velvets, lighting effects, and plant elements create a refined, almost dreamlike setting.
And one of the hallmarks of the place is the mannequins dressed in sculptural corsets designed by Marie-Antoinette. This French brand, born in Bordeaux, showcases rare artisanal expertise through haute couture-inspired pieces designed to flatter every body. Inclusiveness, the promotion of femininity, and the celebration of difference: behind their powerful aesthetics, these creations embody a committed fashion, where every woman can assert her individuality with panache.
These silhouettes, erected in the restaurant's various spaces, bring an artistic, almost museum-like dimension to the space. They remind us that frivolity can also rhyme with depth.
The Louis XIII Salon: hushed luxury and exclusivity
Aside from the joyful bustle of the main room and the leafy terrace, Frivole is preparing to inaugurate a new, intimate setting: the Salon Louis XIII. Designed as a private cigar bar, it will offer, starting in the fall, exclusive tastings of rare cognacs in partnership with the renowned LOUIS XIII house, accompanied by finely selected cigars.
Accessible only by reservation or through a membership system, this space will offer a precious interlude, where time seems to stand still. A new playground for lovers of exceptional products, intimate discussions, and rare atmospheres.
Frivolous, a state of mind more than a concept
Frivole isn't just another restaurant in the 8th arrondissement's overflowing menu. It's an invitation to slow down, to have fun, to savor the moment without asking too many questions. To cultivate that all-too-often forgotten pleasure: treating yourself, without justification.
Neither too conceptual nor too classic, Frivole forges its own path. A festive, free-spirited, and elegant restaurant that embraces its contrasts and enhances them. A place you return to because you feel good there, because you've laughed, shared, danced, sometimes even a little too much. And that, without a doubt, is true luxury today.
Patrick Koune
Restaurant photos: Patrick Koune
