Brothers Joseph and Louis Clerico opened the legendary Cabaret Lido in Paris in 1946. Its dazzling show made the prestigious Avenue des Champs-Élysées shine. Sadly, it closed its doors on Saturday 30 July 2022, after 76 years of existence. Cabaret Lido 2 will reopen in December 2023 with a new musical theatre concept.
When they created it, the Paris Lido was far from being a cabaret. It was called Lido Plage and was just a swimming pool. Financial problems forced the establishment to close its doors in 1933. In 1936, Léon Volterra, a famous show producer, took the bold decision to completely transform the venue. He replaced the swimming pool with a large theatre, where the elite of Paris could enjoy a dinner show. It was an immediate success, and the legendary stage with the Moulin Rouge became the symbol of Parisian nightlife.
In 1946, the Clerico brothers took over and the place underwent a complete transformation. The Brothers turned it into a one-of-a-kind venue. The Cabaret Lido de Paris was officially inaugurated on 20 June 1946, with a show entitled “No Rhymes or Reason”. Based on the concept of a dinner show with champagne, it quickly became one of the most famous cabarets in the world.
In 1948, Irish dancer Margaret Kelly, nicknamed “Miss Bluebell”, founded her troupe and became the cabaret’s ambassador. The Bluebell Girls came from the Parisian Cabaret Folies Bergère. They were dazzling in their feathered costumes and high heels and dominated everyone on stage.
Since 1946, a total of 27 revues have been staged. This venue, which operates every day of the year, offers two shows every night. The cabaret stage has hosted the likes of Édith Piaf, Marlene Dietrich, Joséphine Baker, the Kessler sisters, Laurel and Hardy, Dalida, Shirley MacLaine, and even Elton John.