Barbes: Uniting a World of Diverse Music under One Brooklyn Roof

A Cross-Pollination of Musicians
Just five and a half years ago, two French musicians opened Barbes, a cozy, lively bar and performance space in Park Slope, Brooklyn designed to reflect the diversity and eccentricity of New York City's musicians.

"We want people to hear new things and be inspired by them," Barbes co-owner Olivier Conan, told us. "I have a sense that the strange and exotic are not as strange as they seem."

Barbes (pronounced “bar-BEZ”) takes its name from the eclectic northern Paris neighborhood known for its discount stores, large North African population and record stores which helped launch the Rai music explosion of the mid 80s. Barbes features a wide range of acts nightly, from the fiery Gypsy brass sounds of Slavic Soul Party and the East African rhythms of the Sounds of Taraab, to classical string quartets and country blues. The venue also features an indie film series twice a month. Click here for the full schedule of events and performances.

"There is lots of energy in New York and I want us to be as diverse as possible," Olivier said. "Many who come here (to Barbes) are musicians themselves and develop a sense of community."

Olivier himself is part of two bands that perform at Barbes – Las Rubias Del Norte ("The Blondes of the North") and Chicha Libre – and he also launched the Barbes Records label, which not only records albums by Las Rubias Del Norte and Chicha Libre, but also produces recordings by Slavic Soul Party, One Ring Zero and Hazmat Modine. Music from the Barbes label has made its way onto NPR’s Weekend Edition show, as well as into a multitude of music festivals around the world.

Las Rubias Del Norte play a beautiful mix of boleros, cha cha cha, cumbias, huaynos, lieder and cowboy songs. The delicate harmonies of classically trained singers Allyssa Lamb and Emily Hurst, as well as the band's musicians from the U.S., France and Columbia, all pay homage to a Latin motherland that most of them never had. Chicha Libre take their name from a corn-based Incan liquor, as well as from the music of choice of the 1960s Peruvian migrant population. Until now, this psychedelic sound of surf guitars, wah-wah pedals and farfisa organs had never been released outside of Peru.

"We want this music to rule the world!," Olivier joked.

Catch the release of Chicha Libre's new album - The Roots of Chicha: Psychedelic Cumbias from Peru - at a special Barbes party on Sept. 29 at 10:00 pm.

Barbes is located at 376 Ninth Street, at the corner of 6th Avenue in Park Slope.

The photos to the left, as well as our video above, capture many of the sights and sounds of Barbes.

One Stop Along a "European Tour" of Sixth Avenue Area Restaurants and Bars
Before or after immersing yourself in Barbes' live music, venture in to other European haunts along Park Slope's Sixth Avenue corridor.

Austrian Comfort Food - Escape to Vienna at Cafe Steinhof, and savor such traditional dishes as spaetzle, bratwurst, wiener schnitzel and a chicken paprika that is to die for. Steinhof's perfect corner location also offers an array of delicious Austrian and German beers. Go on Monday nights for 6 buck gulash and Sunday nights for the film series - September is John Hughes month. Location: 422 7th Avenue, at 14th St. Click here for more details.

Taste of Italy - Bar Toto oozes with Italian charm. With its tin ceilings, classic globe lighting, mahogany bar and sidewalk seating with red Campari umbrellas, this trattoria is a great place to sip a glass of prosecco and enjoy a pasta or specialty pizza among the tree and brownstone-lined streets of Park Slope. Location: 411 11th Street, at the corner of 6th Avenue. Click here for more details.

By subway: Take the F train to 7th Avenue to reach all three Park Slope venues.