Southport Hall — Attraction in Metairie

Paid $20 bucks for a ticket to see Stevie B. I have no idea who he is but my friends live him I decide to tag along. When we arrive we see it's busy, there is an older crowd. I am very young looking and stood out.

I go to the front bar, maybe 20 people waiting for drinks. I think, should be 3-5 minute wait for drinks with the 4 bartenders on staff. I cannot emphasize how little I am now exaggerating...I was checking my phone in disbelief; I waited 24 minutes to get a bartender to serve me. Keep in mind it's a 21+ only bar so my young appearance shouldn't prevent the bar from serving me.

Once one of the bartenders acknowledges me, I order a round of shots for the people I came with, 8 shots in total. It was and easy mix, vodka and sour mix. The bartender asked me twice to explain the order to him. Having bartended and managed bars in the city, know what to expect a bartender to know. I didn't ask for a fancy shot, literally just named the vodka, sour mix, and said 8 shots. Still, more confusion. As he starts his pour, he grabs the vodka, sour mix, and an 8 oz plastic cup filled with ice. He pours the vodka over the ice with a 14 count (3.5 oz of liquor or 2.3 shots worth.) Then he adds a splash of sour mix...since an 8 oz cup will only hold like 4 oz of liquid. He uses another cup as a strainer to pour the mix into 8 shot glasses and realized they are not even close being full. He tops them off with more sour mix and without ringing anything says it will be 56 bucks.

I ask him how less than 5 oz of call vodka was $50. He asked how I knew how much it was. I told him that I saw his 14 count of vodka and he responded with, "I don't do counts." When I told him how much alcohol was in it, he asked me, "$40?" I regret having paid, but I still tipped him.

Untrained bar staff meant I didn't buy any more drinks that night from this place. I instead chose to go elsewhere to keep drinking but not before I laughed at the comedy act that was Stevie B. He did 4 songs and all but begged people to buy his merchandise so he could sign it.

I will never return...

Southport Hall is right on the border of Orleans Parish. Has a plenty of history, parking, a huge room, giant bar and a mid size green room or staging area. The front porch is great for getting air and hanging out The bathrooms are sizable and accomodate guests without issue. The stage is small but if the bands bring proper sound equipment then everyone will get the audio they need. Unsure if they have I house lighting and a mixer. I kind love what it offers and not certain why it isnt used as a venue more often. Beats the hell out of a VFW hall. If you do a nightime show youll never have to contend with that damn train whistle. You could do a poor mans wedding and have it catered or a locals birthday party here and avoid the stuffy hotel ballroom. Lots of metal and punk shows happen here. Its got plenty of floor space for antics. I hope this place sticks...

I'll preface by saying I've been here a total of three times so far and all three times were to see specific bands. Never had any trouble with the bar staff. It's a decent-sized venue that I've never seen fully packed yet. Always check with the person working the door about re-entry policy for the show. Been to some where as ling as you had the wristband, you were good and others where if you left the porch, you had to pay to get in again. The bathroom lines can get pretty long now and then (especially after a band finishes their set), so plan accordingly. Occasionally I've seen bands have sound issues while on stage. No idea whether that fault lies with the band or the venue, but the venue could use a sound system upgrade in general. Still sounds acceptable enough, but audiophiles will be slightly...