Bar Review: Paul’s Baby Grand

by Sasha Levine

Bar Review: Paul’s Baby Grand. Written for Just Opened New York. Published November 1, 2013.

Walking into Paul’s Baby Grand at the Tribeca Grand is like stepping into one flamboyant mid-19th-century Miami Beach living room. That, or one of Gauguin’s primitivist paintings. Either way you spin it, the newest—and first solo—venture from DJ and nightlife expert Paul Sevigny (Beatrice Inn, and Kenmar) is nothing short of a spectacle.

A small, intimate space decorated with mirrored and lacquered surfaces, zebra and floral upholstery, ornate chandeliers, Josh Smith paintings, André Saraiva graffiti, and bright, colorful furniture, the scene is a nostalgic throwback to a colorful past—albeit a slightly trippy one. Adding to the ploy are the floral uniforms (designed by sister Chloë Sevigny) for the wait staff, who all appear to be of South Asian descent—which, with all things considered, seems more than simply coincidental. As flamboyant as it may be, the décor is a refreshing departure from the spare, masculine spaces that have dominated the nightlife scene of recent.

With the ceremonial hanging of a disco ball each night and a (not-so-strict) no-cell phone rule, Paul’s Baby Grand is where the well-heeled go to get weird. The good kind. Mostly. The DJ spins a solid collection of eclectic tunes—all good for dancing—and there’s nothing like a proper cocktail to lubricate any inhibitions.

The tight door policy and the star power make Paul’s a likely spot for a celebrity sighting or two—that is, if you can find a way to slip past the velvet rope.