Haley S.
Yelp
I have literally been coming to this bar since I was a baby. Sometimes my dad used to bring me in on Sunday afternoons and JD would make me cherry cokes. These days, JD makes me shots of Bushmills and miller high lifes. Generations of my family have enjoyed a drink or two at this fine establishment. I even bring my daughter down there when we are tooling around downtown when we visit.
JD Montgomery is THE attraction. After he is sufficiently lubricated, he has been known to stand up on a chair or a barstool (he is a little leprechaun, you know) and wail House of the rising sun, and Jambalaya. Please make sure that seeing that goes on your bucket list.
There is almost always live music on the weekends, usually Southern Rock, there are big, tough, motorcycles parked in the front, and some very interesting memorabilia all over the walls. If you get there early, have a Baileys and coffee, and ask the owner, Andre to tell you some very interesting stories full of local history and color. The mud slide of the early 80's, or the time the huge blocks of ice came down the river.
They have a foosball table and darts in the back, with a very curious, and very old little phone booth full of Nellie Jackson memorabilia. If you don't know who Nellie is, just ask any local.
I have to mention the courtyard. I have spent many a warm night, drinking ice cold beers, and catching up with old friends. It's hidden (literally) on the side of the building.
When we come in a big group and want to talk (the band can be a little loud in front) I love hanging out in the "Jungle Room". I'm not sure that's what it's really called, but if you go in, you'll see why I call it that.
I don't know what else to say but I love this bar. Nothing ever changes. Same crazy ass, fantastic,amazing, bartenders. Same people who have been coming here for years. The same songs on the jukebox. This place makes me 21 forever. It's absolutely magical.
*sidenote- I have spent a night or two at the attached Mark Twain guesthouse, and it comes highly recommended.