With the recent return of sunny days, the inhabitants of the charming Square Carpeaux district, on the slope of Montmartre, saw a UFO land in the calm and family landscape of this residential block of the eighteenth arrondissement. A place between the restaurant and the cocktail bar which is transformed, around the stroke of midnight, into a new kind of dance floor. Neither nightclub nor speakeasy, it offers furious dancing to funk and house DJ sets organized by artists and collectives, but in all discretion, as if cut off from the world... The place called "Superflu", which opened at the end avril, is part of this new generation of so-called audiophile bars, a trend in nightlife that is spreading from Tokyo to Paris via London and Brussels. Until two o'clock in the morning, Friday and Saturday, the nouba is in full swing in a subdued atmosphere thanks to neat sound and top-of-the-range soundproofing. Insiders know that you can also book a table there for dinner or sip a cocktail. And, thus, let yourself be gently carried away, as the night progresses, towards a "groovy" atmosphere that everyone hopes will be as convivial as possible. Launched by two friends, Louis Bruneteau and Jean-Baptiste Andrau, joined by Juliette Chavanon, the band's sommelier, and executive chef Cherki Slimani, Le Superflu was born from their shared passion for natural wines and electro music.

“ Since the health crisis, the 25-35 age group has resumed its social life,” explains Jean-Baptiste . “This sense of celebration is linked to the natural wine revolution, itself supported by ecological awareness and all these questions about the origin of wines and how they are produced. We wanted to open a place that meets this demand and, at the same time, offers the possibility of lingering at a table, finishing a bottle at the bar, and starting to dance without having to migrate to a nightclub .”

Audiophile bars: a trend from Japan

In the heart of Paris, a real challenge. Trained as an architect, the young man knows better than anyone: " The insulation of Parisian Haussmannian buildings is far from suitable for this type of project ." Unless it's complemented by a rock-solid acoustic system. This is the cornerstone of success for Parisian audiophile bars! And Superflu is no exception. To attract the best DJs, the team spared no expense on the quality of the sound equipment: two Technics turntables, a rotary mixer handcrafted in Switzerland, two Pioneer players, two bass subwoofers, all prominently displayed on a bar with curves and purple mosaic tiles beneath a sculptural neon sign designed by Paul Créange. And, in return, to ensure the peace and quiet of the neighborhood, the bar is equipped with virtually flawless soundproofing. A concrete slab laid on rubber springs to prevent sound transmission, the highest quality Saint-Gobain double glazing for the bay window, and so on. Diners, however, won't notice a thing, except for the striking design of the wall covering, a gentle undulation extending towards the ceiling. " It's not just decorative! " clarifies Jean-Baptiste. " Made of sprayed concrete, this covering conceals different layers, treating both high and low frequencies and absorbing sound for an optimal acoustic experience ." Enough to completely reassure the neighbors, he says. The experience would be incomplete without a carefully curated menu (locally sourced fruits and vegetables, sustainably caught fish, French-raised meat) that changes every three months and features local gems like sourdough bread from the neighboring Atelier P1 and Lomi coffee roasted a little further down the same street.

Originally, this trend of audiophile bars came from Japan. In the aftermath of World War II, jazz enthusiasts, obsessed with sound, gathered in places called "jazz kissas" to listen, among fellow aficionados, to rare recordings of American jazz musicians. The tradition grew and spread to other musical genres before Europeans embraced it in turn. In London with Brilliant Corners, in Brussels with Altitude Bar. Paris is now joining the trend and can boast of having audiophile bars in every corner of the city. Let the party begin! At the intersection of Rue Poulet and Rue Myrha, where Double Vie is located, it has even found its stride, as well as its clientele, after a year in business. On this slope of Montmartre, this time on the Barbès side, the audiophile bar set up tables and turntables last summer, and has since become one of the leading venues of its kind on the Right Bank. The venue spans three floors of a 40s concrete structure, its layout perfectly embodying the concept. The restaurant and cocktail area are located upstairs, while the dance floor and its massive speakers are tucked away in the basement. Before soaking up the good vibes, guests can enjoy croquetas bellota, arancini with Comté cheese, and other finger foods paired with ginger beer or one of the four house cocktails, all within an unpretentious yet tastefully decorated setting. It's the perfect combination, as Fabrice Desprez, founder of the music promotion agency Phunk, a regular at the bar and a keen observer of musical trends, concludes. " Audiophile bars are part of a broader movement that marks a certain revival of the party spirit, driven by a generation of thirty-somethings who have matured and are looking for places that tick all the right boxes ," he observes. " The approach is more focused on quality, both in the sound quality and the overall conviviality of the atmosphere." In the map of Parisian nightlife, there are sincere places run by groups of friends who put their whole heart into them.