Castel is the rue Princesse members' institution — since 1962 the clubhouse of Saint-Germain's night, where dinner upstairs slides into the basement dancefloor. Officially members and their guests only, which is precisely the point; introductions matter more than reservations here.
Booking, the OF.luxury way
One message covers it: date, party size and any preferences. We confirm availability and the night's terms directly with the venue, hold the table in your name, and stay reachable until you are seated. Every booking is subject to the venue's availability and confirmed case by case.
Inside Castel on rue Princesse
Castel occupies a three-storey townhouse at 15 rue Princesse, in the 6th arrondissement. The street lies just off boulevard Saint-Germain, close to Café de Flore. The building was a late-night spirits shop before Jean Castel opened his club in 1962.
How the house is laid out
Inside there are two restaurants, a cocktail bar, two smoking rooms and a private lounge. The nightclub is in the cellar and holds around 250. Dinner comes first, and members move down to the dance floor as the evening turns. The décor today is darker than the old velvet and gilt, with anthracite walls and leather seating.
The kitchen
The chef is Erwan Gestin, a Breton. The group describes the cooking as honest, built on very good produce rather than elaborate technique. It is a dinner for conversation, which is the point of the house.
Access
Castel calls itself a private members' club, and it runs from Tuesday to Saturday. The tradition since the 1960s is that a guest comes with a cardholder. Membership and privatisation enquiries each have their own contact at the club. For a visitor without a member host, an introduction is the route, and it takes time to arrange.
A short history
Membership peaked at around 2,500 in the late 1980s. After a closure, a group led by the writer Frédéric Beigbeder reopened the club in autumn 2014. André Saraiva took on its artistic direction.
Arrival
From Le Bourget, the drive crosses the whole right bank and then the Seine, so allow more time than for the 8th. For a right-bank evening instead, compare Silencio. Our Paris concierge page covers hotels on the left bank.
What is the minimum spend at Castel?
Table minimums vary by night and table position — currently from €900 table minimum as a guide. Peak dates run higher; we confirm the exact minimum for your date before you commit.
How do I book Castel through OF.luxury?
Message us on WhatsApp or email with your date and party size. We confirm availability and terms directly with Castel and come back to you — typically within the hour during the season. Availability is never guaranteed until confirmed.
What is the dress code at Castel?
Castel runs a smart casual dress code. In practice that means no sportswear or beachwear after hours; smart, considered dressing is always the safer call. We confirm any specifics for your night when we hold the table.
Which area is Castel in?
Castel is in Saint-Germain, Paris. We can arrange chauffeured transfers, and pair the booking with villas, yachts or jets if you're travelling in for the night.