In recent years, a new trend has been emerging in France’s major cities. Imported from Japan, listening bars are springing up across France to the delight of hi-fi enthusiasts. With their hushed atmospheres and top-of-the-range equipment, let’s discover these exceptional places.
What is a listening bar?
Before we begin our tour of France, it’s important to define what a listening bar is. Listening bars are venues that combine traditional drinking establishments with the pleasure of music and high-quality equipment. The concept was inspired by the Japanese Jazz Kissa (kissaten means café in Japanese), which appeared in Japan in the late 1920s. The first bars were equipped with stereo systems that played jazz music to customers. A true cultural institution, these listening venues with their hushed ambience and subdued lighting withstood the Second World War and have been spreading to other countries in recent years.
Listening bars in Europe (Paris, London, Amsterdam, etc.) and the USA (Los Angeles, New York…) offer a unique sound experience while enjoying a drink, alone or with others. The high-end equipment, from some of the finest hi-fi brands, promises an uncompromising listening session.
Notre Dame Music Bar – Paris
In France, the majority of these audiophile bars are concentrated in the capital. Among the many establishments, Notre Dame Music Bar stands out for vinyl lovers. Nestled in the 11ᵉ arrondissement, at 6 Rue Emile Lepeu, this listening bar boasts a capacity of around 60.
Inside, enthusiasts can enjoy the extensive collection of vinyl records played on Garrard turntables that have passed through the BBC studios. A McIntosh amp powers 4-way JBL 4344 speakers dating from 1982. The latter are rated at 120 watts to drive a 15″ woofer, two 10″ midrange drivers and a tweeter.
Notre Dame Music Bar: 6, rue Emile Lepeu, 75011 Paris
Monday to Wednesday, 6 pm to 11.30 pm and Thursday to Saturday, 6 pm to 1 am.
Sonore – Lille
Open since late 2023, Sonore is Lille’s first listening bar. Victor, a hi-fi enthusiast, is the driving force behind the project, which was born in the Vieux-Lille neighborhood. This DJ and 70s enthusiast has created a bar in his own image, where the people of Lille can enjoy an intimate atmosphere with disco, funk and soul music.
Sonore spins a collection of vinyl records on a Technics SL-1200 turntable and a pair of Tannoy Arden floorstanding speakers with their 15″ drivers. This legendary speaker notably equipped Abbey Road studios in the 60s and 70s, where Pink Floyd recorded The Dark Side of the Moon.
Sonore: 13, rue Saint-André, 59800 Lille
Tuesday-Wednesday 6pm-0am and Thursday-Saturday 6pm-2am.
OHM Town – Nantes
In western France, OHM Town is a benchmark among the region’s listening bars. The establishment, located in the Chantenay area of Nantes, boasts an exceptional audio system. Accompanied by Palladium Audio, a company specializing in the design of high-end audio systems, OHM Town’s setup impresses.
The Voice speakers with two 15″ drivers at the front, a pair of Cube 8 coaxial surround speakers, all powered by Linea Research 88C20 and 44C06 amps. The DJ section also features two Pioneer DJ CDJ 3000 turntables and two Technics SL1210 MK7 turntables. An Isonoe ISO420 mixer completes the package. There’s no doubt that audiophiles are welcome here!
OHM Town: 16-17, rue Jules Launey, 44110 Nantes
Tuesday and Wednesday 6pm-11pm, Thursday 6pm-0am, Friday 6pm-3am and Saturday 4pm-3am.
Double Zéro – Marseille
In the 5ᵉ arrondissement of Marseille, Double Zéro offers a “100% vinyl and natural wine” hi-fi experience. The menu offers a wide choice for the taste buds, while customers’ ears are lulled by the records diffused by large, unique speakers.
Combining neo-retro inspirations and eclectic musical styles, Double Zéro operates as a musical refuge in the midst of the city’s hubbub. Located in the Camas district, this listening bar seeks to combine the pleasures of the senses with the goal of allowing customers to really take the time to listen to the music.
Double Zéro: 8, rue Briffaut, 13005 Marseille
Thursday to Monday, 6pm to 12am.
Motto – Bordeaux
In Bordeaux, Motto bar’s Instagram page sets the tone. In its bio, the establishment defines itself as: “Hi-Fi Music, Cocktails & Aperitives”, all tantalizing promises for a musical evening. In the library behind the counter, good bottles, glasses and vinyl records all mingle.
The audio system is built around a colossal 400kg cabinet. The latter houses two vintage bookshelf speakers, straight out of the 80s. They broadcast jazz, hip-hop, funk or electronic music playlists, depending on the mood or theme of the evening. An avid music lover, the manager even carried out an acoustic study of his establishment to limit reverberation and offer optimum comfort to enthusiasts.
Motto: 33, rue Piliers de Tutelle, 33000 Bordeaux
Tuesday to Wednesday, 6pm to 12:30am and Thursday to Saturday, 5pm to 1:45am.
Nuance Records – Toulouse
In the Haute-Garonne region of France, Toulouse is also home to an establishment with a hybrid concept. Part record label, part recording studio, part café/record store, Nuance Records is a must for music fans. The first floor is dedicated to recording, with a 70m² studio and control room. The first floor features a lounge area open to the public.
The space is equipped with four turntables from a range of brands, including Technics and Pioneer, combined with monitoring speakers that play music from the freely-available records. The space is managed in association with Nuits Blanches, an artist’s studio specializing in the second-hand market and well established in Toulouse.
Nuance Records: 14, rue Saint-Bertrand, 31500 Toulouse
Wednesday to Saturday, 2pm to 7pm.
Listening bars don’t just play music: they offer a true listening experience. Whether intimate or cutting-edge, each of these venues cultivates a unique atmosphere, where sound becomes the common thread of the evening.
