Zydeco

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Zydeco logo.jpg

Zydeco is a bar, restaurant, and concert venue at 2001 15th Avenue South in the 1909 Phoenix Club building in Birmingham's Five Points South neighborhood.

Zydeco opened on the bottom floor of the building in 1989. The "pub" area is currently used as the venue's restaurant, which features a New Orleans-style menu. A mid-level outside patio area is used for live music and outdoor dining. The top floor was converted into a 600-capacity concert hall in the 1990s and hosts regional and national touring acts.

In 2003, Zydeco was acquired by Josh Billue, a former Georgia football player from Guntersville. Billue's company, Laissez Les Bons Temps Rouler Inc. also owned Nashville's iconic Exit/In. Layne Flourney was hired as manager of the venue.

In 2011, at the prompting of a musician from the Yorkshire metal band Asking Alexandria, members of the crowd pulled down a large number of ceiling tiles. The damage was not significant enough to interrupt the club's schedule. In a 2016 interview drummer James Cassells said that fans continued to bring pieces of ceiling tile to autograph sessions.

Flourney bought the business from Billou after graduating from UAB. He booked artists through his 65 South Productions. Zydeco was one of the first clubs to bring back live music after the COVID-19 pandemic.

In 2023 Flourney sold the business to HV Entertainment of Dallas, Texas, which is owned by Birmingham native Arthur Hood.

References

  • Colurso, Mary (August 17, 2007) "Owner makes changes but Zydeco still rocks." The Birmingham News
  • "Crowd takes ceiling down at Zydeco" (April 14, 2011) WBRC.com
  • O'Neill, Christina (August 17, 2016) "Asking Alexandria boast of destructive tour antics." Metal Hammer
  • Byington, Pat (May 26, 2023) "Zydeco acquired by Birmingham native, readies for 35th anniversary." Bham Now

External links