The First Cabarets

A cabaret bar is defined by the Oxford English dictionary as ‘a nightclub or restaurant where cabaret is performed’ and cabaret itself is defined as ‘entertainment held in a nightclub or restaurant while the audience eat or drink at tables’.

The very first cabaret was in Montmartre in Paris and it opened its doors in 1881. The cabaret was named ‘Le Chat Noir’, which translates to ‘The Black Cat’ and it became the spot where emerging cabaret artists could test out their acts. 1889 saw the opening of Moulin Rouge, a cabaret which went on to become extremely famous. Located in the red-light district of Pigalle, close to Montmartre, the large red imitation windmill on its roof soon became famous, as did the cabaret housed beneath. The careers of Toulouse-Lautrec, La Goulue, and Edith Piaff were all launched in the Moulin Rouge. 1946 witnessed the opening of Le Lido, a venue for a variety of shows but mostly for cabarets. Le Lido hosted performances by a number of famous names such as Shirley MacLaine, Noel Coward, Marlene Dietrich, Edith Piaf, Maurice Chevalier, and Laurel & Hardy.

The First Cabarets

A cabaret bar is defined by the Oxford English dictionary as ‘a nightclub or restaurant where cabaret is performed’ and cabaret itself is defined as ‘entertainment held in a nightclub or restaurant while the audience eat or drink at tables’.

The very first cabaret was in Montmartre in Paris and it opened its doors in 1881. The cabaret was named ‘Le Chat Noir’, which translates to ‘The Black Cat’ and it became the spot where emerging cabaret artists could test out their acts. 1889 saw the opening of Moulin Rouge, a cabaret which went on to become extremely famous. Located in the red-light district of Pigalle, close to Montmartre, the large red imitation windmill on its roof soon became famous, as did the cabaret housed beneath. The careers of Toulouse-Lautrec, La Goulue, and Edith Piaff were all launched in the Moulin Rouge. 1946 witnessed the opening of Le Lido, a venue for a variety of shows but mostly for cabarets. Le Lido hosted performances by a number of famous names such as Shirley MacLaine, Noel Coward, Marlene Dietrich, Edith Piaf, Maurice Chevalier, and Laurel & Hardy.




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