Nightlife

Life is a Cabaret – Welcome to Crazy Banthaï in Vieux Nice

IARLA BYRNE29 August, 20262 Mins read87

Crazy Banthaï is a new intimate and atmospheric cabaret, discreetly located in the heart of Vieux Nice.

Offering an intimate alternative to the city’s larger nightlife venues, Crazy Banthaï brings live performance and cocktails together in a setting accommodating just 30 guests.

Created by Ruthy Lévy-Benseft and JC Mercier, the venue combines elements of a cabaret, jazz club and cocktail bar, with an eclectic programme spanning jazz, French chanson, dance, theatre and cabaret.

Cosy armchairs surround the performance space, while hand-painted murals, subdued lighting and retro-inspired décor give the room a warm, relaxed character.

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^{Courtesy Crazy Banthaï on Instagram}

We sat down with Ruthy and JC to find out more about the evolution of Crazy Banthaï, their plans for the future and what makes this intimate Vieux Nice venue so distinctive.

What inspired you to create Crazy Banthaï, and how did the original idea develop?

Crazy Banthaï grew from our shared desire to create the kind of place we ourselves wanted to discover: intimate, surprising and full of character. Ruthy imagined the artistic world and programming, while JC developed the cocktail bar and its selection of spirits. Little by little, these two ideas became one complete experience.

With space for only around 30 guests, intimacy is clearly important. Was that always central to the concept?

Yes, absolutely. We wanted to remove the distance that often exists between the stage and the audience. With only around thirty guests, every performance feels unique, and a real connection can develop between the artists and the people watching them.

How would you describe a typical evening at Crazy Banthaï to someone who has never visited?

It begins with the feeling of discovering a secret place beneath the streets of Vieux Nice. Guests settle into comfortable armchairs, enjoy a cocktail and experience live music or cabaret just a few metres away. Each evening is different, but it should always feel warm, unexpected and slightly magical.

What do you look for when choosing the artists and performers who appear at the venue?

Above all, we look for personality, sincerity and the ability to create a genuine connection with the audience. Technical talent is important, of course, but Crazy Banthaï is a very intimate stage: artists must also know how to tell a story and make each spectator feel part of the evening.

Nice already has a very varied nightlife scene. What do you think Crazy Banthaï adds that was previously missing?

Crazy Banthaï brings together elements that are rarely found in one place: the intimacy of a small theatre, the spirit of a jazz club, the fantasy of cabaret and the pleasure of a carefully crafted cocktail bar. It is neither a conventional bar nor a traditional performance venue – it is an experience designed as a whole.

Ultimately, what would you like guests to remember about an evening at Crazy Banthaï?

We would like them to remember the feeling of having discovered somewhere truly special – a hidden place where they felt close to the artists, met interesting people and briefly stepped outside everyday life. Ideally, they should leave taking a little music, magic and emotion with them.

Combining live entertainment, cocktails and intimate performances, be sure to visit Crazy Banthaï on your next night-out in Vieux Nice.

We wanted to create a place where people do not simply come to watch a show, but to experience a complete evening filled with music, encounters and discoveries”

– Ruthy Lévy-Benseft and JC Mercier