This story begins in Paris in the late nineteenth century. Pere Romeu worked as an animator and bartender at the cabaret Le Chat Noir. He, seduced by the environment, decided to open a similar restaurant in Barcelona. It had to be like a tavern: cheap food and piano music. He was financially supported by some friends, Ramon Casas and Santiago Rusinol, among others.

Els Quatre Gats was inaugurated on June 12, 1897 in Montsió Street, on the premises of a building designed by the architect Puig building. It drew people's attention because it was quite unusual as you could see fine details and art combined with characteristic objects of a traditional boarding house. As Rubén Darío, one of the first famous visitors, said once: It was more than a copy of  "Le Chat noir", otherwise it would not have become a legendary place. All those who visited Barcelona dropped by the restaurant; the list of regular visitors was indeed a long one. They expected something different from a good meal. As Rusiñol said, the essential part was "the food of the spirit." And the same goes for Pere Romeu, who sat with his customers and presided gatherings in which they "fixed the world." Entertainment and Chinese shadow puppet shows were also held,  and Ramon Casas painted, following the fashion of the time, posters to announce the shows.