La Cigale

La Cigale opened its doors in eighteen eighty-seven, replacing a local dance hall known as the Bal de la Boule Noire. The name translates to The Cicada, a playful nod to the insect known for its persistent, rhythmic song. It began its life as a café-concert, a type of venue where patrons could enjoy musical revues and variety acts while sipping drinks at their tables. This original format set the stage for a venue that would eventually become a pillar of Parisian nightlife.