Rue Saint-Martin, this self-managed place has hosted cultural and solidarity events since 2014. It is in receivership after significant debts contracted due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
France, Paris, 2023/03/24. The Mutiny, rue Saint-Martin, Paris. Photo Noemie Coissac/Hans Lucas
By Pauline de Quatrebarbes
Published on October 2, 2024 at 4:00 p.m.
Dn the festive rue Saint-Martin, a place stands out, with its black storefront with bright red bars next to a multicolored work by street artist Kashink. In front, a crowd of customers chat, drinks in hand, waiting for the start of a drag queen show or a punk concert. La Mutinerie, a lesbian meeting place opened in 2014, is in danger of disappearing due to lack of resources. On September 6, the Mutinerie collective posted a long text on Instagram explaining the legal and fiscal situation of the place. Placed at his request in receivership since March 7 in order to stop the increase in his debts accumulated over several years, he must prove his reliability before November.
This queer place, which offers cultural programming backed by solidarity events (DJ sets, conferences, feminist self-defense courses, association offices, discussion groups, etc.) has always operated under self-management. A political choice which prevents the collective from making a profit, but which allows each employee to be properly paid. In 2018, the place, a victim of its success, received several complaints about noise pollution from the neighborhood. He is obliged to carry out heavy soundproofing work. A first hard blow, cushioned by a fairly successful appeal for donations. “The prize pool paid us 30,000 euros in fees out of the 50,000 euros that we had to advance, explains Jules from the Mutinerie collective. We have always been very supported by the community! »
An Olympics effect?
Two years later, the Covid-19 pandemic and confinement recreated a huge hole in the Mutiny’s funds. Despite state aid, the collective is unable to repay its debt and, on March 7, 2024, entered into receivership. The objective? Block your debt to Urssaf, and prevent it from swelling with interest. « From March onwards, we freed up more budget each month, we began to see the end. And in July, without warning, we recorded our worst figure, testifies Jules. Like many bars, we think that the Olympics have driven our usual clientele out of the capital…”
Appearing in court this summer, the collective risked liquidation and the sale of its business to the highest bidder. After an appeal on social networks and a recent explosion in attendance at the establishment, the court finally granted it a period of time to get back on its feet, and prove its attractiveness.
This situation particularly worries Frédéric Hocquard, deputy mayor of Paris in charge of tourism and nightlife. However, the deputy has often indirectly supported the space, by helping to install a terrace after Covid or to call on good acousticians. But never directly, by giving him money. “We do not have the right to financially help bars, explains Frédéric Hocquard. Unlike the Flèche d’Or which we recently helped, the Mutinerie does not have an entertainment contractor’s license and is not a concert hall either. We have no support funds… “. The deputy seems concerned by the issue and is committed to the sustainability of these militant party venues: “Paris is a city of freedom; we need places to share this freedom. These spaces are also places of protest, at a time when it is increasingly difficult to shout when necessary… We must be able to save them! » At the Town Hall, in any case, everything seems to be done to help the Mutiny: “We communicate, we look for associations or patrons to take over the debts… A private person recently saved the La Clef cinema, so we believe in it! »
Also read:
La Clef: after five years of struggle, the last associative cinema in Paris is saved
The Mutinerie collective remains positive in the face of adversity. The bar continues to see its turnover increase and to be supported by its loyal clientele. To repay its economic liabilities and secure itself, the collective would like to develop its associative center and obtain subsidies: “This would allow us to be paid for what we already do on site, explains Jules. Currently, we are organizing support groups, clinics and workshops with a social worker to help people defend their rights… We could perhaps get help to continue doing this work.. » Until the end of November, it is possible to support the bar by having a drink there with friends. Have we ever seen a more pleasant way to get involved?
