New kinds of eating places are multiplying in Paris. They are called audiophile bars, "listening bar" or listening bars, in reference to their attachment to sound and quality music, in addition to offering good food and natural wine in a neat decor. Decryption of this trend that is raging from Tokyo to London.

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 generation of 25-35 year olds has resumed the pace of outings, explains Jean-Baptiste. This sense of celebration is associated with the natural wine revolution itself supported by an ecological conscience and by all these questions about the provenance of wines and the way in which they are produced. We wanted to open a place that meets this requirement and offers, at the same time, the possibility of being able to linger at the table, finish a bottle at the counter and start dancing without having to migrate to a nightclub. ».

Audiophile bars: a trend from Japan

In the heart of Paris, a real challenge. An architect by training, the young man knows this better than anyone: “  The insulation of Parisian Haussmann buildings is far from suitable for this type of project ". Unless accompanied by a concrete acoustic system. This is the key to the success of Parisian audiophile bars! And Superflu is no exception. To attract the best DJs, the team did not skimp on the quality of the "sound" equipment: two Technics vinyl turntables, a rotary mixer made by hand in Switzerland, two Pioneer players, two down, all installed in plain view on a curvaceous bar and purple mosaic under a sculptural neon light by Paul Créange design. And, in return, to ensure the tranquility of the neighborhood, the bar is equipped with almost flawless insulation. Concrete slab laid on rubber springs so as not to transmit sound waves, the highest quality of Saint-Gobain double glazing to compose the bay window, etc. The guests will not notice anything, apart from the successful design of the wall covering in the form of soft undulations extending towards the ceiling. " It's not just decorative!, adjusts Jean-Baptiste. Made of shotcrete, this cover hides different thicknesses, in order to process both high and low frequencies, and to absorb sounds for an optimal acoustic experience. ". What completely reassure the neighbors, according to him. The experience would be incomplete without a neat menu (fruits and vegetables sourced locally, fish from sustainable fishing, meat farmed in France) evolving every three months where we find some local nuggets like the sourdough bread from the Atelier Neighboring P1 and roasted Lomi coffee a little further down the same street.

Originally, this trend of audiophile bars comes from Japan. In the aftermath of the Second World War, jazz fanatics, sound maniacs, met in places called "jazz kissa" to listen, among enthusiasts, to the rare recordings of American jazzmen. The tradition was amplified to extend to other musical genres, before the Europeans seized it in turn. In London with Brilliant Corners, in Brussels with Altitude Bar. Paris sits down there now, and can be proud of now having audiophile bars all over the city. Let the festivities begin ? At the intersection of rue Poulet and rue Myrha where Double Vie is headquartered, it has even found its cruising speed, as well as its audience, after a year of opening. On this slope of Montmartre, this time on the Barbès side, the audiophile bar set up tables and turntables last summer, becoming since then one of the benchmarks of the genre on the right bank. The address is spread over three floors of a concrete structure from the 40s, respecting, in its configuration, the whole spirit of the concept. Restaurant and cocktails upstairs, while the dance floor and its huge speakers hide in the basement. Before going to test this good “vibe”, we taste croquetas bellota, arancini au Comté and other finger food accompanied by a ginger beer or one of the four house cocktails, in an unfussy but well decorated setting. The right combo, as concluded by Fabrice Desprez, founder of the music promotion agency Phunk, a regular at the place and above all a fine sleuth of musical trends. " Audiophile bars are part of a broader movement that marks a certain revival of the party spirit carried by a generation of thirtysomethings who have settled down and are looking for addresses that tick all the right boxes., he examines. The approach is more qualitative as much in the expression of the sound as in the conviviality of the places. In the cartography of the Parisian night, sincere places carried by groups of friends who put their hearts into it ».

More audiophile bars:

Near Stock Exchange: Montezuma Cafe

In the Marais: the Spootnik Bar (rue des Gravilliers), and Donna (St. Martin Street)

In Bastille: the Frequency (Keller Street) and the toddler (St. Sebastian Street)

At Parc Montsouris: the Hallmark

Photo: © Datsha Underground