It opened on 18 November 1881 at 84 by the , and closed in 1897 not long after Salis' death. Le Chat Noir is thought to be the first modern : a nightclub where the patrons sat at tables and drank alcoholic beverages while being entertained by a variety show on stage. The acts were introduced by a master of ceremonies who interacted with well-known patrons at the tables. Its imitators have included cabarets from to. Perhaps best known now by its iconic , in its heyday it was a bustling nightclub that was part artist salon, part rowdy music hall. From 1892 to 1895 the cabaret published a weekly magazine with the same name, featuring literary writings, news from the cabaret and Montmartre, poetry, and political satire. Detail from LE CHAT NOIR journal, number 152, 6 Decembre 1884. The cabaret began by renting the cheapest accommodations it could find, a small two-room site located at 84 Boulevard Rochechouart, now commemorated only by a historical plaque. The group claimed to be averse to water, preferring wine and beer. Salis met Goudeau, whom he convinced to relocate the club meeting place across the river on rue de Laval now rue Victor-Massé. Second location of Le Chat Noir was 12 Rue Victor-Massé Paris image from 1929 Le Chat Noir soon outgrew its first site. In June 1885, three and a half years after opening, it moved to larger accommodations at 12 Rue Victor-Massé. On 10 June 1885, with great fanfare, Salis moved to new premises at 12 Rue Victor-Massé. Soon, a growing crowd of poets and singers gathered at Le Chat Noir, which offered an ideal venue and opportunity to practice their acts before fellow performers, guests and colleagues. With exaggerated, ironic politeness, Salis most often played the role of conférencier post-performance lecturer, or master of ceremonies. It was here that the Salon of Incoherent Arts , , and comic monologues got their start. Famous men and women to patronize the Chat Noir included , , , , , , , Sarah England, , , , , , , , , , Louis Le Cardonnel, , , , , , , , , , , , , , and. The last shadow play by Salis's company was staged in January 1897, after which Salis took the company on tour. Salis was talking of plans to move the cabaret to a location in Paris itself, but he died on 19 March 1897. The death of Rodophe Salis in 1897 spelled the end of the Chat Noir. Modern appearance of the last site of Le Chat Noir at 68, Boulevard de Clichy Ten years later, in 1907, Jehan Chargot opened an eponymous café in an effort to resurrect, modernize, and continue the work of his illustrious predecessor. This new Chat Noir, located at 68, boulevard de Clichy, remained popular into the 1920s. Other cabarets successfully copied and adapted the model established by the Chat Noir. In December 1899, opened his Boîte à Fursy cabaret in the former Chat Noir hôtel on rue Victor-Massé. Behind a screen on the second floor of the establishment, the artist worked with up to 20 assistants in a large, backlit performance area and used a double optical to project backgrounds. Figures were originally cardboard cutouts, but zinc figures were used after 1887. Various artists took part in the creation, including , and. Le Chat Noir is the name of the nightclub where and rekindle their relationship, in the 1958 movie. There is also the famous cat painting with blinking eyes on the entrance wall.