Bubbá’s

Status: Open

Parish: Natchitoches

Location: Isle Brevelle

From http://winhttp.nsula.edu/regionalfolklife/crcc/MetoyerBros.html:

“Metoyer Brothers juke joint, more commonly known as Bubbá’s, is owned and operated by Raymond and Alphonse “Bubbá” Metoyer. Established in 1942, Bubbá’s is the only surviving juke joint or “hall” on Cane River still owned and operated by Cane River Creoles.
‘It was fast women and slow horses got me in the shape I’m in today.’
Like other halls on Cane River, Bubbá’s was the site of Negro league baseball games and brush track horse races. These events, especially the horse races, were “wide open” – all ethnic groups participated together at a time when segregation was the norm. Horse races and ball games were held on Sunday afternoons, and there was a scramble for the door as soon as the priest said the last “Amen.” Bets ranged from a few cents to several thousand dollars, and card games and rolling dice were common, as well.
‘Many a time they’d leave their payroll right there on the ground.’
Raymond Metoyer…passed away in September, 2000.”

From From http://www.crt.state.la.us:
“(A) popular club in Natchitoches Parish that offered African Americans opportunities for recreation and entertainment they could not enjoy at other local venues (was)…Bubbá’s. Bubbá’s Juke Joint was also home to race track and baseball games and additionally hosted popular musicians like Fats Domino.”

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Photo Credit: detourart.com