Underground Atlanta is welcoming another beloved Atlanta staple to the downtown Atlanta destination – Pigalle by Paris on Ponce.

Skip Englebrecht and Nicolette Valdespino, the partners behind Paris on Ponce, are collaborating again to bring the new concept, Pigalle, to Underground Atlanta. 

For Valdespino, her role will be to program Pigalle’s theater concept, while Englebrecht, also the owner of Fishmonger, will curate the absinthe-themed speakeasy hidden behind the theater space. Pigalle will occupy 6,000-square-foot space at Underground Atlanta, filled with the whimsical and sexy vibes that only Paris on Ponce’s unique aesthetic brings – artefacts of a Parisian life well lived, and slightly underground.

Pigalle will open its new digs on Oct. 6 with a celebration during Underground Atlanta’s popular First Fridays. Chef Darryl Taylor, of Next Level Chef fame, and owner of Epicurean Drama, will provide the food for the grand opening.

Property owner Lalani Ventures says the new venue will open in the space that once-upon-a-time boasted the restaurant Mick’s, then an Atlanta favorite, with Pigalle ushering in a new era at the historic underground retail district.

Paris on Ponce has been on a journey, moving from its original location on Ponce de Leon Avenue after the fire to its most recent home at the Healey Building.

“When people experience this new location at Underground Atlanta, we believe they will see, as we do, that this will be our long-time home,” said Valdespino, who will manage the destination. Englebrecht will helm the unique absinthe bar at Pigalle, and there will be a menu of amuse bouche. 

Located on a key corner of the property’s Lower Alabama Street next to artist galleries and across from FUTURE Nightclub, Pigalle will stay true to Paris on Ponce’s quintessential French inspiration. The wraparound porch, lit by real gas lamps, will give patrons a view of all the happenings at Underground while they sip champagne, beer or wine.

Valdespino says to expect servers in retro cabaret attire. The venue will be part staged shows and part cocktail lounge and speakeasy, as well as an invitation-only members’ night for people who get the exclusive membership. Programming will include a members’ speakeasy nights on Mondays, Tiki Thursdays, chanteuse Fridays, ticketed jazz, cabaret and burlesque theater shows on Saturdays, and occasional catered Sunday brunch experiences with the delicious imaginings of Chef Darryl Taylor.

“Almost every Atlanta native has a story that begins with Underground Atlanta,” added Valdespino. “Our destination has been a staple in Atlanta for more than 25 years. To us, there was no better setting for our next location than Underground Atlanta – a place that fosters unique synergies between creatives and artists. Underground Atlanta is currently experiencing a resurgence of energy, partnering with some of the most iconic businesses in the city and welcoming other historic concepts. We’re so honored and thrilled to be a part of it all.”

The décor will shift throughout Pigalle’s space, with a more opulent, traditional Parisian-aesthetic in the front rooms, and a more modern, fashion-forward design in the back speakeasy with a 33-foot bar, leopard wallpaper, and vibrant shades of blues and greens. Valdespino and Englebrecht collect eclectic items from buying trips overseas and from Georgia estates, including pieces from the home of Coretta Scott and Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Expect to see a delightful mix of gilded lamps, statues, busts and chinoiserie.  

“As we continue to welcome a diverse mix of tenants to the property, upholding the history and culture of our city is of the utmost importance to us,” said Mary Turner, director of leasing at Lalani Ventures. “We’re looking forward to the future of Underground Atlanta as many iconic local favorites prepare to reopen at our historic destination. Paris on Ponce has been a treasured feature in the city for years, and we’re confident that Pigalle will continue to create unique experiences for the community and build upon this next chapter of Underground Atlanta.”

Underground Atlanta, located in the center of downtown, is the heart of commercial activity in the city and continues to serve as a steward of the arts. Pigalle will add another layer to Underground’s nightlife scene, joining other former Ponce de Leon favorites MJQ Concourse, the famed Atlanta nightclub which has begun renovations of the former Dante’s Down the Hatch space, and The Masquerade, famed Atlanta music and events venue. A few of Pigalle’s former neighbors also are now at Underground Atlanta, including Carl Janes, Mike Stasny and George Long, who are artists-in-residence at Underground Atlanta.

CEO of Lalani Ventures Shaneel Lalani said of the new tenant, “We’re constantly looking for exciting ventures to join the new age of Underground Atlanta, and Pigalle is the perfect example of the unique kinds of tenants we’re looking for. Its cultural relevance in Atlanta will blend perfectly with our current and future tenants, and we’re thrilled to welcome the next generation of Paris on Ponce – Pigalle – to our rapidly growing and evolving destination.”

Englebrecht, Pigalle’s co-owner, added, “Our visitors return time and time again for an experience that cannot be replicated. The beautiful and eclectic space at Underground Atlanta allows us to stay true to the heart of our business and host outstanding performances, while also exploring creative ways to partner with the thriving concepts already open there. We’re so excited to be a part of a development that’s looking to create a community of its own, and we look forward to furthering our journey and success at Underground Atlanta.”

Pigalle joins a growing list of other new tenants at Underground Atlanta including FUTURE Showbar and Restaurant, a 14,000-square-foot, two-story LGBTQ restaurant and bar; iScream Ice Cream, an old time ice cream parlor with modern edge desserts; Common Grounds Coffee Shop, an eclectic cafe with a community-minded atmosphere; Dolo’s Pizza Co, a classic pizza joint with a Caribbean twist; and Atlanta Comedy Theatre, Atlanta’s premier upscale comedy club venue.

Other new concepts at Underground include Fulton County’s Public Arts Future Lab, an innovative artist residency funded by Microsoft; MARTA Artbound (MARTA’s public art program) and Arts & Entertainment Atlanta; YELLE Beauty, a Black woman-owned and operated beauty concept by Yandy Smith-Harris; Dancing Crepes, a new dining concept also by Yandy Smith-Harris; and Daiquiriville, a 2,200-square-foot indoor/outdoor restaurant and bar with karaoke and other entertainment, owned and operated by Colombian-native Luisa Duran.

Pigalle will be home to a variety of public shows and installations, with more information readily available via its website. The venue also will be available for private events – corporate and holiday parties, weddings and more.

Images of the new Pigalle destination can be found here.

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