Hamilton’s Place
Status: Closed
Parish: Lafayette
Location: Lafayette
Photo by John Sharp
From a plaque at Vermilionville: “Hamilton’s Place was a landmark and traditional Zydeco dance hall in Lafayette, Louisiana built in 1956. Also know as Hamilton’s Club, the building was raised with wooden floors that shook and bounced with the music and steps of the dance crowd…the last night the club was open to the public (was) Father’s Day, June 19th, 2005…renowned Zydeco artists Geno Delafose and Keith Frank were on the line-up that evening. The crowd was reported to exceed 900 on the closing night.”
Included in Emily Ardoin’s 2014 thesis “Fais do-do to ‘Hippy Ti-Yo’: Dance Halls of South Louisiana”: “Hamilton’s Place is a rural zydeco club that opened in 1956 and closed in 2005. It is currently vacant. The construction is frame, the roof is front gabled, the parapet is stepped, and the foundation is concrete piers. The dance floor is wood strips. The bar is located in the same room as the dance floor. The building’s overall condition is good and appears mostly unaltered.”
Hamilton’s Place is located at 1808 Verot School Road, Lafayette
Gallery:
Photo Credit: John Sharp
Scott Giroir
I was in a funk band back in the early 80’s. Our band, Tite Squeeze, played here many times around 1982. Love this website, brings back a lot of old memories from a day gone by! Thanks
Randy
I lived in Lafayette from 1980-1986 and remember that every Wednesday night was “ whitey night”. Only white people were allowed.
Laurie H Miller
OMG!! We Had THE BEST TIMES THERE!! Never Forget it!! I think it worked out perfectly for us All! The African Americans didn’t want us “under foot” lol in Their Club. But were Good enough to share it with us!! Sincerely, It Was A Blast!!! Hope the Building is Preserved somehow!!! those bouncy wooden floors w sawdust maybe? We’re Fab for Dancing to the Cajon “Two Step” KILLER MEMORIES
Chelsea Marini
Does anyone know who currently owns the dance hall!?
Frances Thompson
The Club is still owned by the Hamilton Family. It is currently used for family events.
Thank you for asking!
Kate
I went to dance Zydeco when Boozoo was playing in 1990…I was the only white…
Mona
I am descendant from the own Adam Hamilton and remember many great days and night especially when my grandmother cook and sold her gumbo and we slept in the storerooms dances was full with people ,smoke, and drinks, think this why I know so many people
Cindy Menard
Are they considering making Hamilton’s Place historical landmark in this area it’s pretty significant place for his Zydeco origins in the area.
Liz
I sure hope it is being considered as a historical landmark because I think the property is up for sale. I sure hope not going to be demolished.