Toulouse Theater Cafe: Actor Opens New Venue in Albi

This should bring new life to this unique place, where the majority of Albigensians once came to eat: the Grill Saloon. On Monday, the municipal council should approve the creation of a café-theater at this location, rue Croix-Verte, by an actor from Toulouse. “To strengthen the commercial diversity of the city center, it is necessary to introduce new activities to generate urban dynamics,” assures Mathieu Vidal, the deputy in charge of commerce.

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The city became the owner of the premises at the end of 2023 when the managers of the Grill Saloon ended their activity. They were supposed to sell to a buyer but the city then preempted on the pretext that there are too many restaurants on rue Croix-Verte and that this overflow could harm commercial activity.

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It was one of the most popular restaurants in Albi. Instead, the city wants to set up a cabaret or a café-theatre there.

For several years, the premises will remain empty, it will just host the Planches musicales for a few months during the work on rue Porta and the Pont Vieux. In September 2025, the city decided to launch a call for applications for the creation of a café-theatre and performance hall. The site is made up of a 90 m² room and an identical mezzanine. Ideal for this type of activity.

“Family atmosphere”

The city wanted a project that complemented the existing cultural offering and was “economically viable without municipal subsidies”. However, to help the future manager, the transfer of the commercial lease will be €1 and a commercial lease of type 3, 6, 9 years is proposed with a progressive rent. That is to say €0 for the first six months and €600 until the twelfth month. The city also provides the buyer, free of charge, with an IV license.

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Five files were submitted and three caught the city’s attention. Among these three, she chose the project led by Medhi Sersoub, who has directed the comedy de la Roseraie, since 2022, avenue de Lavaur in Toulouse. He made this 120-seat theater a place of “relaxation, discovery and meeting” with a “family and friendly atmosphere”.

Originally from Lyon, Medhi Sersoub started acting at the age of 17. And after working as a laboratory technician at Bayer, he decided to make a living from his passion. He notably starred in the series Demain nous belongs and Plus belle la vie.

In place of the Grill Saloon, the actor wants to set up an activity of shows, comedies, young audiences, stand-up, cabaret. Theater, improvisation, burlesque and stand-up classes will also be given. He also plans to schedule cabaret once a month.

No question of a new restaurant

The city sees it as “a varied program throughout the year and complementary to the existing offer”. For her, this cultural proposition is “attractive and meets the expectations of a large audience, particularly young people”.

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However, the city places safeguards. The lease will stipulate that “catering may be carried out on an ancillary basis provided that this activity does not become the main activity of the premises”. No question of ending up with a new restaurant.

There is already a café-theatre in the city: the Charli, located on avenue François-Verdier. Over the years, it has made a place for itself in the Albigensian landscape. The manager had applied to take over the Grill Saloon but her application was not accepted.