Silver Slipper

This place is now Showtime, and I am a fan.
I must warn you that this is a low-​class, hole in the wall (my kinna place). It’s somewhat local but also accepting of every visitor. It primarily serves beer and wine coolers. I have seen any BYOB of hard liquor just yet, but it seems like it would be allowed here.
I especially enjoy Sunday afternoons and evenings.
My kinna place for hanging out while «looking» for nothing.

A hidden gem in Kashmir Gardens in the North side of town. This a great spot for true H-​town rhythm blues, soul and Zydeco dance and live music. Dress to impress at this «low key» local spot. Cash only cover $ 5. Tip the «parking attendant» and don’t leave anything in your car. This spot is not for tourists or non music enthusiasts.

Being from New Orleans I will give it my best compliment: «it felt like home».
The neighborhood and the bar are definitely not «gentrified» but the people are full of warmth and welcome. The music was tremendous, King Marcus was singing the night we were there and he came by our table to introduce himself and we later had a great chat in the parking lot. The music volume was extremely well suited to the space so that you could still enjoy conversation.
Our waitress was the nicest thing and always quick with the beers. It is beer and wine only but BYOB so bring those bottles of liquor and they provide set-​ups and mixers. Yes, half empty bottles of liquor are seen on most tables.
The crowd comes dressed. Do not show up in jeans and a t-​shirt, you will look and be out of place and ruin the ambiance for those of us who still believe in getting dressed up for a night out. Bling it out and you will fit right in. I mean this: do not come casual-​ed out; this place deserves the respect to match the clientele wardrobe and dedication to wearing their best.
We did not eat but talked to the people at the table next to us, they had the pork chops and raved about them. The portions looked HUGE and I hear the catfish is to die for.
Dance floor was packed with couples and people there to enjoy the evening with the «graceful sway» that blues and jazz evoke.
We will be back; I absolutely loved the music and the environment. And I am a sucker for fried catfish. With only a $ 5 cover, I think this was the best deal I had in all of 2012.

My friend Carrie had mentioned wanting to go to this place called The Silver Slipper, and at first I wasn’t sure if she was talking about a shoe store or a strip club. But let me tell you, both ladies and gentlemen, it’s actually better than either of those things. Yes. You heard me.
Nestled in the Fifth Ward, the legendary Silver Slipper is most likely older than you are. The still-​family-​owned unassuming bar prides itself in its history of zydeco and blues with a lot of soul.
One Saturday night Carrie invited me on an excursion there. I must be honest– driving around Fifth Ward on a Saturday night and not knowing exactly where you are going takes quite a bit of bravery. Carrie, being the most open-​soul, confident person I know, maneuvered the streets like a pro. The bar looks like a house, and we parked alongside it in a dirt parking lot.
The cover was $ 5, and the men and women were all dressed elegantly. I felt like I was walking into the 1940s. (I’m sure I saw some dressed in outfits reminiscent of zoot suits).
We had a table of maybe 10 people, and everyone who ordered food ordered the catfish. I had already eaten but I tried Carrie’s, and it was DELICIOUS. Crispy, juicy, and tasty. The fries were good alongside the catfish.
And. Oh. The. Music.
When they coined the phrase «they played their hearts out,» they had to be listening to blues and soul. The crowd shouted responses and egged on the band, and man could that band play. Later on in the night as people warmed up on beers, the front stage (which serves as the dance floor) started filling up.
I was pleasantly shocked when smiling gentlemen coaxed me into casual blues-​y swing dances on the dance floor. No one judged how anyone else danced, and everyone was so welcoming. They even tried to convince my friend Christina even though she adamantly didn’t want to get on the dance floor. And if you know what the Wobble Wobble line dance is, well, we did that too.
Old couples, young couples, not couples, everyone was just smiling and clapping and moving around the periphery. I hadn’t been around music and people that felt so alive in a long time.
Can’t get shoes here, and it’s not like Treasures, but I promise you, you will dance.