The Opera Locos

The Théâtre Bobino

From clowns to musical delights… Bobino gets its name from a celebrated Italian clown that worked in the nearby Luxembourg Gardens in the early 19th century. From 1816 to 1868, the Théâtre du Luxembourg welcomed Bobino the clown and his troupe, and the venue became affectionately referred to as Bobino's theatre. In the 1870s, the venue moved locations to the bustling nearby Montparnasse district and officially adopted its nickname and current title.

From its construction in the 1870s up until the first World War, the Bobino was a small concert cafe, though it quickly gained popularity. While exiled in France, even Lenin himself was known to frequent the théâtre Bobino! Following the war, the Bobino music hall quickly became the go-to location for all the latest in Parisian musical culture. Becoming the primary music venue on the Rive Gauche (left bank of the seine), the théâtre Bobino welcomed international stars from Edith Piaf and Georges Brassens to Barbara, Dalida, and Joséphine Baker. At one time, the Bobino and Paris' legendary Right Bank music hall L'Olympia were both run by Bruno Coquatrix, a well-known impresario.

Bobino finding its place… After a major renovation in the 1980s, the theatre faced closure due to financial troubles, and entered a rather experimental phase throughout the 1990s and early 2000s, hosting cabaret dinners, comedians, and even a few television recording sessions. The Bobino changed leadership in 2010 when a new director wanted to embrace the venue's music hall history and also to expand to include musicals, one-man-shows, and more diverse acts. The théâtre Bobino has finally found its place as a celebrated Parisian venue welcoming musically-charged performances of all genres.

Fast facts
Capacity: 900
Handicap Accessible: Yes, please contact us to ensure proper seating in accessible areas.
Air conditioning: No
Heating: Yes