Etta’s Lounge

Etta’s is one of the last Blues venues remaining in an area that bore civil rights and social change and some of the most influential blues musicians in the history of Texas and the US. The Dowling St/​Third Ward neighborhood (followed closely by Fifth Ward) was the epicenter of black culture in the city of Houston for many, many years.
During the mid 20^th century almost every touring black artist, from James Brown to B.B. King and Count Basie came through here, and often became a temporary part of the community.
In this historic neighborhood, home grown successes like Sam «Lightning» Hopkins, Albert Collins, Conrad Johnson, Johnny «Guitar» Watson, Johnny Clyde Copeland, and Joe Hughes all grew up, lived and performed within a few blocks of each other.
Many people do not appreciate the scale of contribution that Houston made to blues and soul music. Our city was home to one of the most vibrant, daring and down-​home music scenes in the US.
However, that party has all but ended.
Thankfully, you can make your way down to Etta’s on a Sunday evening, have a cheeseburger or fried fish and hush puppies and take in a special part of Houston’s history that is all but obsolete these days.
Come on down and make yourself at home with a group of good people who know how to have a good time… and leave your ego at home please.

Etta’s is my favorite place in Houston. I love this place so much that I actually named my new puppy Etta when I got her last year. It is truly a run-​down hole in the wall, but who cares? You don’t come here for the décor, you come here for the music and the food that goes with it.
Some of the fondest memories in my life are of coming here on a Sunday night to see Grady Gaines play and to eat boudain (oh my god, the boudain!).