Grossjam G.
Yelp
Man, this will not be for everyone! Yes, it can get really crowded but it's a fun, good natured crowd, not the typical crush of tourists pushing to get up the The Eiffel Tower with crying children. It does have some real physical quirks. For me, it only makes the place more interesting. For one thing, it's small. How small? On YouTube, type "La La Land Caveau de la Huchette," and you'll see that beautiful scene bathed in blue, with actor Ryan Gosling's character playing in a small jazz combo. Thing is, that's not the stage you're looking at. That is, pretty much, the whole of the music club, except the caverns that project off the dancefloor with tables, the tables and benches on the side of the floor, and the bar area upstairs. That's how small. Also, there are the well worn, winding, slippery, ancient stairs you are obliged to take up and down between the bar area on the street level, and the basement where the action is. But for goodness sakes, is there anywhere else in the world where you get to do the Lindy or the nasty shake to a great jumpin' blues band like Nirek Mokar and His Boogie Messengers in a 16th century Rosicrucian cave of mystery, once dubbed, "The Cave of Terror?" My money says there isn't. For music lovers and for grotto lovers, this is your experience. It's also the oldest jazz club in Paris. Kid Ory and, later, Lionel Hampton played here. But what really blew my mind, having been a jazz fan for more than 40 years, is that folks like me were joined by a large, dedicated contingent of international 20-somethings just cutting loose and having a great time. Want to see 20-somethings stop taking selfies? Go here. For one thing, I'm guessing they're too hip to be social influencers. Also, it's too crowded to get anything out of your pocket. On another note, our group doesn't drink alcohol anymore. We've had ours, already, and probably some of yours as well. We found their "mocktails" really thoughtfully prepared and delicious. The staff were all cordial, including the bartenders. Note that they know better than to hire wait staff to try to get down those treacherous stairs and through the crowd with drink trays, so go early, get one of the tippy tables in one of the emanating cavern-like structures where you can still see the stage, or on the tables and benches off to the side, then send two of your steadiest members back up those stairs to the bar for drinks. Sounds like too much effort for you? Stay home, grandpa. There are plenty of other music-loving, adventurous folks who crave places like this, besides me. Although it has much more charm, and while centuries older, is much better preserved now than that younger, bygone, NYC music landmark ever was in its day (now gone, of course) Caveau, for me, is like the CBGBs of Swing. If you wouldn't go to the Lower East Side to hear Rock & Roll, back in the day, then you probably want to stay out of Latin Quarter jazz caves at night, today. Maybe late hours at the Louvre or a rooibos tea at a café is more your speed. I don't know what their alcohol costs, but, as Ray Charles said, "Don't sit there mumblin', talkin' trash. You wanna have a ball? You gotta go out and spend some cash! ...And let the good times rollll..." Laissez le bon temps rouler!
