It is probably because of being a quaint little French bistro where the structure is the same as it was 100 years ago, no updates in infrastructure or appropriate fire control apparatus because it ‘wouldn’t look French’. The place was probably a tinderbox.
Beat me to it. I was advised against going to foreign clubs or bars unless they were built by a UK or USA firm because otherwise the wiring was a hair-raising mess and the place is likely a firetrap.