Cabaret du Néant

[1] The Cabaret du Néant was an early pioneer of the modern theme restaurant and dealt with various aspects of mortality and death.

[2][9][10][11] Inside the cabaret, the patrons were led by a monk through a dark hall to the drinking area, where the waiters were dressed as undertakers.

[8] The monk also led the patrons into another room, where a member of the audience was invited to participate in a magic trick, by entering a coffin.

[8] Once inside the drinking area, the customers were told to take "bières", a word meaning both a beer and a coffin ("bier") in French.

Relying upon macabre images in a gothic setting Loy describes two lovers, meeting in 'the fulsome ambiente' of the Café du Néant, amidst burning 'tapers' and 'coffin tables'.