Le Clown Bar

Located next to Cirque d’Hiver, the charming Clown Bar is known as much for its stellar wine list and quality dishes as it is for its history and decoration—the refurbished space was the former communal dining spot for the clowns from the circus. The French Belle Epoque decor includes a circus-themed glass ceiling in the bar, a wall of tiles from Sarreguemines (once one of France’s great ceramics towns) and a frieze of clowns behind its original zinc bar, as well as a sunny terrace on the street out front in warmer months. The small, seasonal menu changes frequently and focuses on small plates. Run by the group behind Saturne, Clown Bar also has a well-curated wine list from small independent producers.