The Ringleader of all Listening Bars of Paris

The birthplace of a family tradition and an introduction to freebag economics.

I don’t buy bags. I have been alternating 3 freebags for years between a corporate job, music festivals, kids’ school outings and family events. I wouldn’t even hesitate to go to a funeral with my free bag. I opted for the all black option for a reason.

That being said, this is obviously not an article about bags, it’s a story about experiences - that I can only afford because I don’t have a thing for bags. But boy, do I have a thing for experiences! It’s just a matter of picking your poison. It’s just that my poison can’t be worn.

I’m one of those people who will constantly send you links to gigs, courses and events that may vary from a random hot yoga class in the neighbourhood to a 9-day silent retreat in Colombia. If we are close enough, you may even receive surprise registration notifications as I will not hesitate to enrol you directly to some.

So, last December, I decided to start a family tradition. A Christmas event where we host our friends for a new experience with my husband. Something to mark that year, something to remember. My husband and I are polar opposites with only one common interest: music. So what better option than inviting our friends over to the best sound room of Paris?

So I booked the Listening Room of the Listener Bar for 2 hours on a Friday evening for a price of a decent real leather bag. Obviously, everyone including my husband has been informed of the first edition of our new family tradition with the invitation. I know what you think… Such a lucky guy.

The Listener looks like any other bar in the 2nd arrondissement from the outside. The downstairs however doesn’t look like anything you’ve ever seen. It is first a feast for the eyes. The perfect cozy space to hang out with your friends listening to music. Only with a sound system that you may only be able to afford if you sell your house and live in a freebag.

The sound coming out the system is hard to explain. It’s one of those moments where a new dimension opens before your eyes, or your ears for that matter. You meet with something you didn’t know existed. That sound is a delight. If I had to compare it to food, it would be Japanese mochi. That inexplicable texture. I remember having the same feeling when I finally entered Berghain once.

What is the best compliment for an experience dictator? Her friends sending her messages on how amazing the place is, as she’s trying to arrive - late to her own event. In my defence, I was having a hard time at home, trying to decide which vinyl records to bring over. Because yes, the room comes not only with a digital platform you can choose whatever song you want on the spot, but also comes with a vinyl player. and lots of natural wine..

My girlies and I, we are those Parisian women who will call the police if you accidentally serve us normal wine. But if you serve us icy natural Pet Nat, then we will call YOU. Repeatedly. That’s what happened. They kept serving us bottles downstairs to our cocoon.

Contrary to their reputation, Parisians are chill people. Or maybe they set their priorities right; the wine being always on top of any list. Did you see that video where a French woman is calmly finishing her glass with a burning car behind her during the riots in Paris? Even though I could see his eyes occasionally wide-open, even my husband was quite chill when I was dancing with a glass in my hand around the insanely expensive speakers.

In the end what matters is we marked 2024 with the best of experiences. Thanks girlies and vive freebag economics!