Vaughn's Lounge?

[Mule]

Hello folks,
Looking to check out something new on this trip. Saw Kermit Ruffins is playing Vaughn's on the last Thurs. night of fest. Few questions: Is the food good here? Is this going to be so crazy packed that its uncomfortable? How hard is it to catch a cab back to the Riverwalk area after the show?
Any help greatly appreciated.

[bobatude]

mule , i have been to this venue back in "1999" i dont believe there is any food, it is a small club and this thursday nite show w/ kermitt ruffins is a long standing show, it is a very crowded show, for every patron that leaves, a new one is let in, plenty of cabs avalable to get you where you need to go. i am thinking of going this year w/ the group i will be with, none of them have been before

[Blainn]

The Joint is right around the corner great BBQ

http://www.alwayssmokin.com/about.html

[Zydekitten]

Vaughan's is just a few blocks from me in the Bywater and Kermit plays there every Thursday and usually brings his BBQ to cook some righteous yummies. If he doesn't, Vaughan's usually has red beans and rice and or something else.

But if for some odd reason they don't have any food at all, Sugar Park Tavern is two doors down on the corner of Dauphine and France - they have excellent pizzas, soups and other tasty treats.

Especially during Jazzfest, Kermit's shows are very popular and there will be a full house - but it's not too heinous usually. The benefit of that is that there will be plenty of cabs to/from there.

I highly recommend checking it out! :)

[almarco]

Vaughan's is just a few blocks from me in the Bywater and Kermit plays there every Thursday and usually brings his BBQ to cook some righteous yummies. If he doesn't, Vaughan's usually has red beans and rice and or something else.

But if for some odd reason they don't have any food at all, Sugar Park Tavern is two doors down on the corner of Dauphine and France - they have excellent pizzas, soups and other tasty treats.

Especially during Jazzfest, Kermit's shows are very popular and there will be a full house - but it's not too heinous usually. The benefit of that is that there will be plenty of cabs to/from there.

I highly recommend checking it out! :)

Looks like it has the misfits seal of approval!

[Zydekitten]

Looks like it has the misfits seal of approval!
It do! :D ;)

[RitaZero]

I schedule my flights so that I can get there in time on Thursday to catch Kermit at Vaughn's. That's my first stop after getting settled on 4/24. He'll be there the following week as well. You've made me think about it so now I will say it out loud, I look forward to Kermit at Vaughn's more than anything else at JF!! The staff at Vaughn's are very welcoming and friendly.

If you get there early enough there will be a great big pot of free red beans and rice (if they continue that tradition from years past). I haven't eaten beef or pork in over 30 years but I was so hungry last year I had some of that red beans and rice and maaaaaan was it good! I was disappointed the next Thursday when I went back and got there late to find the pot empty. The BBQ down the street already mentioned has my recommendation too.

It does tend to get really crowded in Vaughn's during JF, but people move in and out of the bar and on to the street. There's actually a glass door behind the drum kit where you can see and hear just fine from outdoors.

The 1st weekend 3 of us ladies stood outside trying to hail a cab for a long time, and even after calling United a few times we were stuck. Eventually a nice man known as "the gentle giant" (he's a musician, can't recall his name) offered us a ride and we took him up on it. In the torrential rain storm 2nd weekend it was kind of hard getting a cab, but we eventually managed it by walking down the street a bit.

WooHoo, only 46 days till Kermit at Vaughn's!!!!

[Mule]

Thanks very much for the info. Think I'm going to try to make this one.

[Cleophus]

Great info -- thanks all!

If you get there early enough there will be a great big pot of free red beans and rice (if they continue that tradition from years past)

RitaZero, what time would you recommend one should show up in order to get some red beans?

[festfreak]

I remember the red beans & rice being put out at the set break.

[RitaZero]

Great info -- thanks all!



RitaZero, what time would you recommend one should show up in order to get some red beans?

Oh boy, I remember the cab ride but not the time. I think I got there after show time started on that particular night..... I'd say be there 1/2 hr. prior to show time to be safe...and get a seat if you want one.

Speaking of BBQ:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j3pz2VgIM7E

[Jordan]

I love Kermit, but one of the most reliable things about him is that his shows never start on time. I'd guess 75 - 120 minutes after the schedule is a good average.

That doesn't mean you shouldn't go see him, just see someone else first. It's all about the AND, not the OR.

[marignygreg]

I think Vaughn's is a must at some point,but it will be packed for Fest. You can usually get a cab if you plan on leaving mid set, but that is darn near impossible.

[Zydekitten]

I love Kermit, but one of the most reliable things about him is that his shows never start on time. I'd guess 75 - 120 minutes after the schedule is a good average.

That doesn't mean you shouldn't go see him, just see someone else first. It's all about the AND, not the OR.
True dat, Jordan! Lately, his 10:30 pm start time has been more like 11-11:30.

And indeed, the eats usually go out at the set break - sometime around midnight/12:30ish, given Kermit's laid-back pacing. :D

[almarco]

True dat, Jordan! Lately, his 10:30 pm start time has been more like 11-11:30.

And indeed, the eats usually go out at the set break - sometime around midnight/12:30ish, given Kermit's laid-back pacing. :D

I agree ,never set your watch by kermit time.....

[rosetree]

I agree ,never set your watch by kermit time.....

Or Corona time ;) :D

[Chicago Fest Fan]

Last year we went to Vaughns to see Kermit 2nd weekend. It was extremely crowded. We were pretty much sitting on top of the piano player. I loved it, everyone else in my party hated it because there was a lot of pushing and shoving to get up front. I still dont understand why people at shows insist on trying to get another 6 inches closer to the band. Just stay in your space and enjoy the show.
There are a couple good restaurants close to Vaughns. Jack Dempsey's for BBQ or Elizabeths for real good southern cooking. We really enjoyed the food at Elizabeths.
Cabs were constantly picking up and dropping off. You just had to grab one right away.
It may have also have been very crowded because Kermit had just got married. Many people were congratulating him on the way in.

[ibjamn]

There are a couple good restaurants close to Vaughns. Jack Dempsey's for BBQ or Elizabeths for real good southern cooking. We really enjoyed the food at Elizabeths.

One small correction, Jack Dempsey doesn't have BBQ, but (as previously mentioned) the joint BBQ is not far. Jack Dempsey's does have fantastic fried & broiled seafood.

[McGregor]

I'm ashamed I've never been to Vaughn's or RockNBowl.

:(

[Zydekitten]

One small correctio, Jack Dempsey doesn't have BBQ, but (as previously mentioned) the joint BBQ is not far. Jack Dempsey's does have fantastic fried & broiled seafood.
YYR - I love their Stuffed Trout and the Mac n' Cheese!

[windowman]

I'm ashamed I've never been to Vaughn's or RockNBowl.

:(

You simply must do something about that. There is magic in the air on Thursday nights at Vaughan's and although it will be ridiculously crowded during jazzfest you should try to go. Kermit is usually hanging out behind the drum kit by 10, waiting for the rest of the players to show up. Perhaps not during fest, but usually he'll catch a little of Jeremy Davenport at the Ritz or stop at Sweet Lorraine's on his way. I haven't been in a couple of months (maybe I'll get there this week) but the show usually doesn't start before 11 and sometimes later. Kevin Morris, who plays bass, is usually the last one to show. Kermit told me that he never puts together a set list, he just plays according to the feel of the moment.

The food is always tasty. I've had red, white and lima beans, jambalaya, chicken and andouille gumbo and enormous grilled pork chops over the years. All of the above mentioned restaurants serve good eats as well, although I am partial to fried redfish at Dempsey's.

For those of you who haven't been there in a long time, the lounge was reconfigured and the bar was placed at the rear of what was a pool room. the dividing wall was removed and replaced with a railing and the place will now hold maybe a hundred peeps, about triple the original space.

[Zydekitten]

For those of you who haven't been there in a long time, the lounge was reconfigured and the bar was placed at the rear of what was a pool room. the dividing wall was removed and replaced with a railing and the place will now hold maybe a hundred peeps, about triple the original space.
No way!!! They moved the bar into the back??!! :eek: I kind of liked the funky bar where it was . . . oh well, I'll have to go check out the new layout soon.

[papafrog]

dempseys closes at 9 during normal times....i suggest calling to see
if they are open late durin jazzfest...
i suggest getting to vaughans early and hanging out at the bar or a
table and having a few drinks....you will get to talk to kermit,
and plenty of other very cool locals in the bywater...


Jack Dempsey's Restaurant
738 Poland Ave
New Orleans, LA 70117-4724
Phone: (504) 943-9914

[papafrog]

the joint BBQ IN THE BYWATER:

mon-tue: 11:30-2:30
wed-sat: 11:30-9:00
801 poland ave
504-949-3232

same suggestion as jack dempseys...

sugar park, and elizabeths will be open....

[windowman]

No way!!! They moved the bar into the back??!! :eek: I kind of liked the funky bar where it was . . . oh well, I'll have to go check out the new layout soon.

NO, NO ZDK...I was addressing the person who posted that they had not been there since 1999. The bar used to be on the lower section of the floor that you enter on. In other words, the bar was in front of what is now the railing and there was a wall where the railing is with a pool table on the elevated area where the bar is now. You can try to imagine how crowded it used to get when it was like that with the band in the same spot.

[Zydekitten]

NO, NO ZDK...I was addressing the person who posted that they had not been there since 1999. The bar used to be on the lower section of the floor that you enter on. In other words, the bar was in front of what is now the railing and there was a wall where the railing is with a pool table on the elevated area where the bar is now. You can try to imagine haw crowded it used to get when it was like that with the band in the same spot.
PHEW!!! I was a bit worried there . . . :D ;)

Wow, you're right - that must have been quite the squeeze back in the day.

Carry on. That is all.

[Chicago Fest Fan]

dempseys closes at 9 during normal times....i suggest calling to see
if they are open late durin jazzfest...
i suggest getting to vaughans early and hanging out at the bar or a
table and having a few drinks....you will get to talk to kermit,
and plenty of other very cool locals in the bywater...


Jack Dempsey's Restaurant
738 Poland Ave
New Orleans, LA 70117-4724
Phone: (504) 943-9914

They were not open late last year during fest. We tried going there but they had just closed. That when we discovered Elizabeths.

[VWGal]

I'm ashamed I've never been to Vaughn's or RockNBowl.

:(

I've never been to Vaughan's. Rock n Bowl lots....

Oh for shame! I must fix that this Fest, or make two trips a year. ;)

[papafrog]

I've never been to Vaughan's. Rock n Bowl lots....

Oh for shame! I must fix that this Fest, or make two trips a year. ;)

yavol!!...

[Rossvegas]

You know, I kept thinking I've been to Vaughan's a few times, but now I'm thinking that I was actually somewhere else! I've seen Kermit play there at least twice, but this place was near Audobon Park...am I thinking about the Bon Temps, or what??? Yikes!

[Leni]

It's a wonderful place, but it'll be packed to the hilt. If you don't mind standing outside or jammed inside cheek-to-jowl (if you can manage to force yourself in through the crowd), and then hassle to catch a cab when you're exhausted at 2 or 3 am, and everyone else is trying to do the same, I'd say go. Otherwise, it's a lot better to experience Vaughan's during a non-event weekend. And the show may not start until midnight. Given the foregoing, I don't think the experience is worth it to expend your energy and stay up until 2 or 3 am, or later, the day before the first day of Jazzfest...

[windowman]

Leni, you are spot-on with your assessment, but not everyone can come on non-fest times. I am hoping to be there this week and avoid it when the multitudes are here, but I have guests, too.

[papafrog]

for those who really cant take crowds but want to experience Vaughans,
i suggest calling there and seeing if anyone is playing on other nites...
its often not advertised anywhere, but for example there was a sign
out front that shamarr was playing there last nite...
also a block away theres another place called BJS that often has live
music on the weekend...Little Freddie King plays there regularly..
its on Lesseps...

[aardy90210]

I'm ashamed I've never been to Vaughn's or RockNBowl.

also ashamed to say we have never made it to either of those venues as well...altho I am happy to say that this year (my 7th straight fest) the funky fezfest krewe has vowed to hit up rock n bowl for Rebirth Brass Band Cyrill Neville and Friends, Tribe 13, Big Chief Monk Boudreaux & the Wild Tchoupitoulas, Anders Osborne on the saturday of second weekend...

so i wont be able to say i havent been for long! (plus, we gotta do something to keep us busy before GBA blows the doors off tips latenight)...

is it jazzfest yet?@#T%

[Rossvegas]

Aardy, if you get the chance, try to get to the Rock N' Bowl for zydeco night (Thursday). It's like nothing you've ever experienced in your life... :>)

[funkkjunkie]

Aw man, FOMS.
2nd Saturday
RocknBowl vs Wolf
Injuns, brass, Anders vs. Trucks, funkymeters

Jazzfest is coming!!!!!!!!!! Wooooooo ttttttttttttoooooooooothe hooooooooooty hooooooot hoooooooo!

[Headless Hornman]

I'm ashamed I've never been to Vaughn's or RockNBowl.

:(

I have to confess this is true for me as well.

[McGregor]

Aardy, if you get the chance, try to get to the Rock N' Bowl for zydeco night (Thursday). It's like nothing you've ever experienced in your life... :>)

I should do this. That's the only night second weekend I don't have plans and I'll be solo that night as the wife will still not be in town.

I am seeing enough funk as it is, I need a change of pace.

[Zbonnie]

I should do this. That's the only night second weekend I don't have plans and I'll be solo that night as the wife will still not be in town.

I am seeing enough funk as it is, I need a change of pace.
No "should" about it then -- it's a "MUST". Plus, yours truly will be there.:D

[marignygreg]

Catch the early set at Rock and Bowl then get on over to Lesseps and Dauphine for Kermit. Sounds like a perfect evening !

[dank_bass]

Vaughns?? You sure that place is still open ;) ;)

[heyhon]

I'm pretty sure it's closed, wasn't that great to begin with.