Le Caveau de la Huchette is a legendary jazz, swing and blues club in the French capital. But instead of being a rather faded symbol of a lost golden age, it continues to gain prominence in the romantic image of Parisian nighttime pop culture. Case in point: He makes a prominent appearance in the 2016 Oscar-winning film “La La Land,” with Ryan Gosling’s character playing the piano at the club as an enthusiastic crowd takes to the dance floor. The Latin Quarter jazz and blues club, first opened in 1946, has seen a renaissance since its recent Hollywood cameo, managing to draw ever younger crowds for live music and dancing on weekend nights.
But long before he teamed up with Gosling and Emma Stone, he provided a stage for greats like Count Basie, Art Blakey, Georges Brassens, Sidney Bechet and many others. Read on to find out why you should consider having a drink at this iconic spot on your next visit, whether it’s for jazz inspiration, drinks, dancing, or all of the above.
Story
The club is located in a building dating from the 16th century. The owners claim that the premises were once used by Masonic cults as a secret lodge. First opened as “Le Caveau de la Terreur” (The Cave of Terror), the club became a popular venue for jazz orchestras and intimate performances by emerging singers. It was here that jazz, blues and swing performers, including Art Blakey and his Jazz Messengers, Jean-Paul Amouroux, Ronald Baker, Gianni Basso, Claude Bolling, and many others captured new audiences and saw their careers take off.
The bar allegedly inspired Alan Sytner to open a club in Liverpool, The Cavern, which would catapult to fame as a venue where The Beatles gave some of their early performances. Since the 1970s, Le Caveau de la Huchette has been conducted by Dany Doriz, a vibraphonist and friend of the legendary American jazz artist Lionel Hampton. The latter played frequently for the club during its heyday in the mid-20th century.
Live music: the official program
The club organizes concerts every night of the week, with shows starting at 9:30 pm every night. You can see the full program here (only in French). Performances by international jazz, swing and blues artists make up the bulk of the program at the bar. Currently, tickets range from 13 to 15 euros, but prices can change at any time.
Reservations are not accepted at this club. Just show up at 9:00 pm when the bar opens, to make sure you can secure a spot for the show. Payment in cash is recommended.
Drinks, Dance and Atmosphere
Inside, the atmosphere is that of a classic Parisian jazz club, with windowless stone walls, deep red leather booths, lowlights, and ornate, old-fashioned lamps. They would forgive you for believing that you were transported back in time to the elegant 1940s just by walking through the doors of the iconic club.
You are not required to purchase drinks from the bar if you have paid for a show, but they are available for purchase. Wine, beer, champagne, and cocktails are available, as well as non-alcoholic beverages. Food is not served at this bar.
Dancing in this iconic direction is (almost) mandatory, especially on nights when live swing and orchestral jazz fill the air in the ‘cave’. Casual attire is fine, but you may want to dress up a bit to fully enjoy the throwback experience.
Location and how to get there
The Caveau de la Huchette is located in the 5th arrondissement of Paris, near the River Seine on the left bank of Paris ( rive gauche ). It is just south of Notre-Dame Cathedral, across the river, and a short walk from the Saint-Michel metro stop and RER Commuter. You can also get off at the Cité metro stop near Notre Dame and cross the river to get to the club.
- Address: 5 rue de la Huchette, 75005 Paris
- Tel: +33 (0) 1 43 26 65 05
- Metro: Saint-Michel (Metro and RER stop) or Cité
- Open: Sunday to Thursday, from 9:00 p.m. to 2:30 a.m. weekends from 9:00 p.m. to 4:00 a.m.
- Visit the official website (in English)
- Reservations: not accepted; tickets can be purchased at the door (cash recommended)
What to do nearby
Located in the heart of the Latin Quarter, Le Caveau is a great drink after exploring the surrounding neighborhood and its many attractions.
Wander the narrow, cobbled streets of the Latin Quarter, stopping to admire iconic sites such as the centuries-old Sorbonne University, the Pantheon, Place de la Contrescarpe, the legendary Shakespeare and Company bookstore, and the banks of the Seine near St-Michel
Take a break and perhaps host a picnic in the lush Jardin du Luxembourg, where graceful tree-lined lanes, statues, ponds, and ornate flower beds are best appreciated on a sunny day.
If it’s a rainy day, dive into one of the area’s many charming old-fashioned cinemas for a double feature, or sip a cream of coffee inside a warm café-brasserie on Boulevard St-Michel.
We also recommend the medieval art collections and mysterious Flemish tapestries at the Musée Cluny, as well as taking a look at the nearby Roman arena of Lutèce – a strange and surprising holdover from the time when Paris was Lutetia, part of the Roman Empire.
