Dancehalls in Lafayette Parish

Cliff’s Country Club

(L) From the book “Images de Lafayette: A Pictoral History”, edited by Paul F. Matthews: “Bing Crosby makes an appearance in the Lafayette area in 1931 at Cliff’s Counrty Club on the Breaux Bridge Road.” (R) Image from postcard ...

Club Hill Top

“Just South of Lafayette” opened by Toby Veltin in 1942 ...

Coconut Grove

Don Gassie: Owned by Kossuth Blanchet. Lafayette was the biggest gay scene between New Orleans and Houston in the late 50s-early 60s. Located on Vermilion between Don’s Seafood and Jefferson St. The door keeper was Joe Egan, who claimed to have worked in the Chicago area for one of Al Capone’s organizations. He would keep most non-gays out unless he knew you, in which case we were treated to tales of prohibition and gangsters. ...

Corner Bar

Rocky Sexton- “far north end of Lafayette, scarcely a stone’s throw from I-10” ...

D-Inn

Don Gassie: Lesbian bar owned by Kossuth Blanchet. Located where the thruway is now. ...

Duhon Dance Hall

Listed in “Readers recall clubs where they danced to Louisiana Music” from The Daily Advertiser, December 29, 1998: “Readers of The Daily Advertiser were asked to submit names of’ the clubs where they danced to Louisiana music in the 1930s, 1940s, and 1950s, with a brief recollection of what the club was like and who played there.” Noelie Provost: “This was in the country south of Scott. Doc Guidry & his band played there.” Dudley Duhon: “Duhon Dance Hall was on 93- now a church stands there. Doc Guidry, Happy Fats, & Dixie Ramblers played there.” ...

Economy Hall

Kaliste Saloom: It was located in the same area as the McCoy Gibbs Dancehall- Washington & Olivier streets in Fightinville. It was a black club. ...