{"id":1619,"date":"2025-01-22T15:43:50","date_gmt":"2025-01-22T16:43:50","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/hubpsotemail.net\/?p=1619"},"modified":"2025-05-30T11:34:10","modified_gmt":"2025-05-30T11:34:10","slug":"paris-hot-spot-serpent-a-plume-takes-over-nyc","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/hubpsotemail.net\/index.php\/2025\/01\/22\/paris-hot-spot-serpent-a-plume-takes-over-nyc\/","title":{"rendered":"Paris Hot Spot Serpent \u00e0 Plume Takes Over NYC"},"content":{"rendered":"

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You\u2019ll seldom see Alexander Rash<\/u><\/a> in anything less than a suit and tie, whether he\u2019s at The Knickerbocker Club or Basement<\/u><\/a>. While visiting New York, the Paris-based rebel recommends a drink at \u201cDirty Donahue,\u201d formally known as Donohue’s Steak House in the Upper East Side, to talk through his plans for a special Serpent \u00e0 Plume<\/u><\/a> takeover of Le Bain. <\/p>\n

Dubbed a \u201cplace for bright ideas and relentless adventures,\u201d Serpent \u00e0 Plume was opened by Rash in 2018 in Paris\u2019 oldest square as a hot spot where almost <\/em>everything is allowed. He extended this sense of freedom to The Standard, High Line\u2019s penthouse discotheque, programming an evening that ranged from string quartet performances to live Shibari and Alichpova as a giant cake (pictured above).<\/p>\n

\u201cThe night unfolded like a mini-capsule festival, each moment more intense than the last,\u201d Rash says of the night. \u201cA full-spectrum journey that was very much Serpent \u00e0 Plume.\u201d Below, PAPER<\/em> learns more about how Rash balances punk with elegance to create immersive experiences that feel at once rare, chaotic and, above all, memorable. <\/p>\n

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What elements of Serpent \u00e0 Plume would you say you brought to the NYC takeover?<\/strong><\/p>\n

The essence of Serpent \u00e0 Plume is always a touch of the unexpected. I take great pride in blending different worlds \u2014 mostly high and low moments \u2014 into a seamless artistic experience. In Paris, Serpent \u00e0 Plume has a special atmosphere, one that\u2019s not easy to replicate. For the NYC takeover, I aimed to bring that same spirit by curating what felt like a mini-capsule festival. Each moment was designed to build on the last, growing in intensity and intrigue, but always with elegance and boldness. At the last minute, I collaborated with Jenny Stanjeski<\/u><\/a>, a Juilliard set designer, who hand-painted a wonderful 12 x 10 foot backdrop for the soir\u00e9e. We pulled it all together in just three days, and it was a masterclass moment between DIY and a very American can do<\/em> attitude. It was very refreshing since this would never be possible in Paris on such a short notice and really set the bar high for the evening.<\/p>\n

What is the core mission or perspective of Serpent \u00e0 Plume? There seems to be a bit of debauchery mixed into everything you do. How do you find that balance?<\/strong><\/p>\n

The core mission of Serpent \u00e0 Plume is to curate an environment that feels both sophisticated and liberating. Some might call it \u201cdebauchery,\u201d but for us, it\u2019s about the freedom that comes with being an independent structure \u2014 allowing us to fully embrace a decadent offer in our restaurant and cocktail bar. The balance is intentional: debauchery, when done tastefully, is about celebrating joy and spontaneity with elegance. This is often reflected in our mottos: \u201cLa Lutte Continue\u201d and \u201cRien n\u2019est r\u00e9el, tout est permis\u201d (Nothing is real, everything is permitted). <\/p>\n

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How did you approach the programming for the NYC event? Did you bring in special guests from Paris or keep it local?<\/strong><\/p>\n

We wanted to honor New York\u2019s electric energy while weaving in the elegance of Paris. To do this, we invited key contributors from Paris, like Serge Hirsch<\/u><\/a>, the first violinist of our Serpent \u00e0 Plume String Quartet, whose orchestral charm set a seductive tone for the night. At the same time, we embraced New York\u2019s raw, unapologetic spirit by collaborating with local talent, staying true to our ethos of blending worlds. The evening unfolded like a carefully curated festival \u2014 Serpent \u00e0 Plume in its purest form. From the quartet\u2019s hypnotic elegance to BRUTUS VIII<\/u><\/a>\u2019s explosive performance, followed by a cascade of sultry, daring acts, each moment built on the last. It was a full-spectrum journey of creativity and boldness, perfectly balancing refinement and edge.<\/p>\n

How did you incorporate the string quartet into the night? Do you think nightlife should have more classical music integrated?<\/strong><\/p>\n

The string quartet was essential in setting the tone for the evening, adding a layer of depth and anticipation. They performed the final two movements of \u201cThe American\u201d by Anton\u00edn Dvo\u0159\u00e1k, a composer whose work embodies the spirit of cultural fusion and new beginnings. Written during his time in the United States, the piece reflects a dialogue between European classical traditions and the raw, untamed energy of the \u201cNew World\u201d \u2014 perfectly mirroring the essence of the night ahead. It provided a moment of serene reflection before diving into the whirlwind of the evening. At Serpent \u00e0 Plume, our house orchestra performs every other Tuesday, blending classical music with the raw energy of nightlife. In many ways, it’s as punk as it is elegant \u2014 disrupting expectations and inviting guests to experience something rare and immersive in the midst of the night\u2019s chaos. We\u2019re not just inspired by the underground classical scene, we\u2019re actively trying to create one (if it even exists). Bringing this tradition to New York was our way of pushing boundaries and proving that classical music can thrive in unexpected, vibrant settings.<\/p>\n

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How did the audience react to seeing Shibari performed live? Have you ever partaken?<\/strong><\/p>\n

The Shibari performance unfolded right after the string quartet, creating a striking contrast. Mistress Trixie<\/u><\/a> and I led a gimp in Shibari rope through the crowd while Jacob Rudin’s live and electric flute set an eerie, hypnotic tone. The delicate yet provocative nature of the art stirred curiosity and emotion \u2014 so much so that even the housekeepers in their maid uniforms couldn\u2019t resist sneaking into the room to witness it. The irony of it all was that the submissive was wearing a gimp suit with a maid\u2019s apron. As for whether I\u2019ve ever partaken… Well, you\u2019ll have to come to Paris and find out for yourself.<\/p>\n

What was your favorite moment from the night?<\/strong><\/p>\n

There was a moment when the string quartet played and the crowd seemed to collectively pause, fully immersed in the atmosphere. That stillness where everything feels aligned and the room is united in the experience was really special. I was just thinking to myself, Fuck the night is going to be long I might need to get a cup of tea before I DJ next<\/em>.<\/p>\n

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What are some of your wildest memories from nights out in NYC?<\/strong><\/p>\n

New York nights have a way of pulling you into their rhythm \u2014 unpredictable, electric and always a little surreal. Some of my most memorable evenings have taken me from the faded glamour of the Chelsea Hotel to the unapologetic grit of Pumps, a place that never pretends to be anything it’s not. Then there\u2019s the Knickerbocker Club, a different kind of gentlemen\u2019s club where I take up residence among whispered conversations and stiff drinks in a room full of well-dressed men who seem suspended in time. But nothing quite beats the magic of a late-night diner \u2014 unpretentious, always unassumingly excellent and the perfect way to end an adventure before the city wakes up again.<\/p>\n

For first-timers, what can we expect from a night at Serpent \u00e0 Plume in Paris?<\/strong><\/p>\n

When you come to the Serpent \u00e0 Plume you will find an immersion into a parallel world. We put a lot of effort in bringing the underbelly of Paris into a space that feels intimate and grand. At the end of the day, however, the Serpent \u00e0 Plume is still a reassuring place to have lunch and dinner. It\u2019s not always about the senses being pushed to the max, but rather trying to offer many sources of pleasure to so many different communities. This is a tall order to fill and many have died trying. For now we are here, and that is all we can do for now. La Lutte Continue<\/em>. <\/p>\n

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The balance is intentional: debauchery, when done tastefully, is about celebrating joy and spontaneity with elegance.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

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Photography: Victor R<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n

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You\u2019ll seldom see Alexander Rash in anything less than a suit and tie, whether he\u2019s at The Knickerbocker Club or Basement. While visiting New York, […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":1616,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":[],"categories":[9],"tags":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/hubpsotemail.net\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1619"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/hubpsotemail.net\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/hubpsotemail.net\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/hubpsotemail.net\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/hubpsotemail.net\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=1619"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/hubpsotemail.net\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1619\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":1636,"href":"https:\/\/hubpsotemail.net\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1619\/revisions\/1636"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/hubpsotemail.net\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/1616"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/hubpsotemail.net\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=1619"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/hubpsotemail.net\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=1619"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/hubpsotemail.net\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=1619"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}