K-Doe Ernie Mother-In-Law Lounge

along with the Treme 7^th Ward Festival going on next door under the overpass… the highlight of our trip to New Orleans. Kermit is a great host !

It was my first time in New Orleans so I knew I had to check out a Kermit Ruffins show. While searching for a show during my visit I found the listing for this bar, and after doing more research about the history of the bar, I knew I had to check it out.
My husband and I stopped by for a beer on Friday around 4:30pm. I did see on Kermit’s Instagram that they offer a free crawfish boil on Fridays, turns out it’s definitely true and after getting our beer the bartender invited us to help ourselves to some crawfish. IT WAS AMAZING! It was one of the best meals I had in NOLA. When I asked which restaurant the crawfish was from, I found out it wasn’t a restaurant but a gentleman boiling it right outside using his own blend of spices.
Speaking to some locals during our trip I learned how much Kermit Ruffins does for the community, and turns out the free food at Mother-​In-​Laws to bring people together is one way he gives back. Pretty awesome!
The DJ was playing great music. I’m so glad we stopped by.

So we’re in town for a few days on our honeymoon roadtrip from South Florida. A friend from back home said we must go to Kermits. We did a Treme Music History tour through Voodoo Lounge and they discussed the history of Mother-​in-​Laws. Of course at this point we couldn’t have not come.
It was a fantastic surprise to find out that if you but a drink you eat for free on Fridays (it was Friday) so imagine our excitement. I also had never eaten Crawfish so what better way to have it for the first time.
We were served a heaping plate of Crawfish, Turkey Neck & Potatoes. I didn’t know what the Turkey Neck was and asked a local that was sitting by and she kept saying «Turneck» I was clueless as to what she was talking about… Lol But eventually caught on.
If your a tourist be sure to go early. The later it gets the more dirty looks you get. Or maybe it was just us… Two white/​spanish lesbians. We stuck out like a sore thumb. But you better bet that didn’t ruin my experience… I WILL be back!

Kermit changed the place from a dive to a small center of all things Kermit. Its still a great venue for a drink outside the quarter with its unmistakeable artwork in remembrance of the founders. Cheap drinks and there is always some kind of food somewhere.

I’ll preface this by saying I’d never been to the place when it was Ernie K-Doe’s, so I can’t really make a comparison on that point.
Came out here during a recent visit to catch Guitar Lightnin’ Lee and his Thunder Band on a Friday night. Offbeat had him listed as playing, though WWOZ’s calendar made no mention, and I couldn’t get through on the phone. I figured I’d go anyway, because even if Guitar Lightnin’ Lee wasn’t playing, whoever was would likely be worth checking out.
Got there a little early to find only about four other people in the bar, two of which were Kermit and his wife, just hangin’ out! There was also a Saints preseason game that evening, so I took a seat at the bar, had a few drinks, and chatted up a few of the other barflys. After a quarter or so of the game, a DJ came in and started setting up in the bar area. I asked the bartender if anyone was playing later (figuring that the game might take precedence for the time being), and she said that they were only having a DJ. After a few drinks, I decided to move along. Disappointed that Offbeat misled me, but still happy I went — it’s a cool little spot.
Based on reviews under previous ownership, I thought there might be food available, but there wasn’t any inside. However, a gentleman had a table set up outside with potato salad, peas, and flash fried chicken for $ 5 (!!!) and it was great!
In short, cool spot, but if you’re going to catch a particular act, try to verify that they’re actually scheduled to play.

Caught The Treme Brass Band at their first Sunday residency here and was blown away. Friendly crowd, great music, free red beans… such a great time.

First of all the bars new name is Kermit Ruffins Treme Mother In Law Lounge. Kermit purchased the place after one of Antoinette’s niece’s tried to make a go of it after her death. The place went from being one of the more interesting and eccentric bars in NOLA to, well, just another bar with loud music and young people soaking up booze that is reasonably priced. None of this is a slam to Kermit, but the mother In Law was such an odd place and all of that crazy stuff is now gone. It’s not a bad bar, its just no longer the peculiar place we all remembered.

We all know, well most people know that the lounge is closed and hopefuly will reopen soon. I just love going to it to take pictures in front of it. Friends who i bring love it too! It’s a cool place with a lot of history behind it. Maybe Ernie’s ghost shows up sometimes and if you just happen to be taking pictures at that very second… who knows that picture might make the cover of the National Enquirer and if not you still have some cool pictures of a piece of New Orleans! Any way you win… Just check it out you won’t be sorry. And if you get hungry or thirsty there are a lot of places to fuel up. Who knows you might see Jeff doing his famous bicycle tour which stops here. By the way he is a live person and not a ghost!!!

I still miss Ms. Antoinette. What a gal she was.
You just never knew who would stop by. I saw greats like Fats Domino, Al «Carnival Time“Johnson, A. Touissant just to name a few.
It wasn’t an «upitty“place either. Very down to earth. One and all were welcome. You just had to behave yourself because Ms. Antoinette didn’t take any —-!!!
Mardi Gras was a great time to be at MIL. You had your own parade pass by or through the lounge. Talk about !!!
I especially liked her outdoor garden area with flowers planted in painted old bath tubs and toilets. Sitting outside in the spring or summer passing a good time with other patrons while listening to the music coming from inside.
And don’t forget…“Ernie» was always there too sitting in his corner.
Dress code? Shorts to Tux, you saw it all.
Truly a New Orleans land mark.
I hope that the new owner will care enough about the wonderful memories that MIL created and that he/​she will try to continue the legacy.

Went in summer of 2010. had cheap priced beers served by k does daughter. had a good band playing. people who were there were locals.friendly.bad neighborhood. great experience.invited us to come back and watch treme

So many of my «it could only happen in NOLA» stories start out with «I was just sitting in the Mother in Law Lounge having a glass of wine…» that it’s starting to sound like a mantra. Jen L is right that it doesn’t get any more eccentric than this.
If you don’t believe that it’s inhabited with the ghost of Ernie K-​Doe, just ask Guitar Lightnin’ Lee next time you see him to tell you some of his MIL stories!
This is one place that I want to be filled w/​tourists, if for no other reason than to make sure it does not disappear along w/​so many other icons of New Orleans’ culture.
Won’t do it injustice by trying to describe it, it’s one of those things you really have to experience for yourself.

This place is just great. One of my top favorite bars I’ve been to ever. Hands down.
There is not a time I’ve been here where I’ve had a bad time… well, I did go here to watch the Saints when the Cowboys ended the Saints perfect season and that was a bummer but we still managed to have an excellent time. I can go on and on but others have summed it up perfectly already.

It’s kinda fun to say you’ve been here.
There is so much interesting history and eclecticism.
I went to a local blogger’s potluck here.
The manager, Betty, was nice enough to let us set up our grub on a fold out table and chow down.
In exchange we ordered a few beers and now I guess I’m also spreading the word.
Good idea to host an event here. There is space, seating, and tables inside and out. There’s even a stage if you needed it.
The only draw back is the location.
Be aware of your surroundings.
There is a buzzer on the door to only let in invited guests.

I’ve been wanting to go here for years. Regret not making it before Ernie and Antoinette passed away. Just happened to be staying 3 blocks away from the Mother in Law at the Five Continents (see my review) so there was no way I was gonna not go on this trip. After several days of nagging I convinced my friends this was the place to be on Halloween. We all loved it. This is one of those truly unique places you can only find in NOLA. They have music memorabilia all over the place and unfortunately Ernie’s life size wax statue was on loan that night. The band was great (can’t remember their name-​shame on me!) and the overall vibe here is friendly and laid back. I will make a point of going every time I’m in town.

I attended a very dear friend’s wedding here once, but make no mistake, this is not what the masses would consider normal wedding fare. Which is what makes this exceptionally New Orleans experience that much greater. Catering tastes that range from destination for road trippers to a local’s weekend evening. Savor its place in the universe.

A self proclaimed «Emperors of the Universe» just is not going to open up a half-​assed bar, it’s not in their nature.
Ernie K-​Does Mother In Law lounge is a bit of everything… old school New Orleans lounge and hangout for previous generations of legendary musicians; friendly bar with an unmatchable hostess/​bartender — Ernies wife, Antouinette, who lives in the bar as to always be able to open up if an odd hour customer shows up; concert venue for fun young New Orleans bands; and most importantly a museum to the glory that is Ernie K Doe.
No need to describe the interior, best to be surprised, just leave it as Ernie (like every one else in the city) really, really, liked himself… but download a few of his hits (if you are not familiar with them) before you stop by to get in the mood. Don’t worry if you can’t…the jukebox is stuffed with his, and all other, classic New Orleans R&B sounds.
Cab there from the Quarter, not a dangerous walk, but no need to take chances. On the way back, pick up a few pounds of boiled crawfish from the Seafood shop across the street… as good as any around
A spot that should not be missed if searching for the soul of New Orleans.

Not to beat a dead horse… but this is a unique place to hang out.
I’ve always thought that other cities try to hide their eccentricities and oddities while we tend to celebrate them here. The celebration doesn’t get any more eccentric than the MIL lounge.
Antoinette has even been known to take the Ernie wax figure out to interviews and sit him next to her.

The location on Claiborne is a useful filter against the slack hurricane guzzling idiot who spends his entire vacation peering up at balconies. I’d like for Antoinette to do well after the hospitality she extended to us. But I don’t want that she should be harassed by lobotomy candidates.
We arrived of an evening when most other things were open. To our dismay, the lights were out at Ernie’s. We were about to leave when I noticed a large screen television in the lounge area was on. We tried the door again and then noticed a woman in a nightgown coming towards us. We felt bad, but hey, it was about 9:30.
Turns out we’d roused Antoinette and her companion from sleep. They were more than happy to let us in, though. In fact, they insisted. They further insisted on offering us free Crown Royal and red beans and rice. We talked to Antoinette for a bit and she encouraged us to get behind the bar and make our own drinks. She indicated that a recent surge in visits from Japan had prompted her to spend all of her time in the lounge, not keeping regular hours, but being certain to be available at any hour of the day should someone drop by.
Antoinette told us stories about the greatest singer in the world, and about the choice he had to make in his early years, when he had to decide between being the world’s greatest singer or the world’s greatest basketball player. I’m not even much for Ernie K-​Doe, though I didn’t let on.
I often encourage people who exhibit compulsion to explore the «exotic» parts of the world to get to know their own country better. Places like this typify for me what I like about America.

Dear Antoinette, I love and miss you!
Our last names sound the same, so it was fun introducing myself when I first met her.
I worked for a non-​profit in NOLA and they’re very near and dear to Antoinette and vice versa.
The woman is so loving and compassionate. Her food is amazing. The bar is great. The live music is awesome, but there’s a jukebox as well. She trusted us enough to actually run the bar. She never made me pay for a drink. Woohoo.
GUMBO!
I miss this place so much I can’t even tell you. What a NOLA jewel.
She and Ernie were so obviously in love.
P. S. Thanks, Usher.

Do not take a trip to New Orleans without visiting this place. You can’t get any more New Orleans than this.