Barbès is also a neighborhood in northern Paris famous for its discount stores, its large North African population as well as the record stores which helped launch the Rai music explosion of the mid 80's.

Owned and operated by two French musicians and long-time Brooklyn residents, Barbès functions as a neighborhood community center of sorts. Its intimate back room is host to regular events - music, readings and film screenings  and serves to fill a gap in a neighborhood which is home to a large population of artists, musicians, and writers but still offers very little in terms of performing outlets

Much like the neighborhood it is named after, Barbès puts the stress on cultural variety, neighborhood conviviality - and bargain hunting , with $5 Ricard and an eclectic music collection which ranges from the Lebanese diva Asmahan to Mexican bandas, Venezuelan joropos and Romanian brass bands.