It has been described as part New Orleans, part Denver, part Austin, and tonight it will be all open. The House, a new bar and music venue taking over the facility once occupied by The Box and Tiger Bar in Tigerland, has its grand opening concert tonight, and co-owner Kevin Bowen wants to make sure everyone feels welcome.
 
“I don’t want this to be a bar that just caters to one crowd,” Bowen said. “I want everyone to be able to come and experience good live music.”
 
The bar is under new management and ownership.
 
The show tonight will feature P.Y.M.P., Gris Gris and Young Hedons. The cover charge is $10 for patrons under 21, $5 for 21 and older, and there will be drink specials all night long, according to Bowen.
 
Bowen said he plans for The House to host a wide array of music acts from all over the country and of a wide variety of genres.
 
He describes himself as “the music guy” at The House and owns the bar with David Sheely, owner of Shady’s, and Van English, who was a co-owner of the Box.
 
The House will offer 18 draft beers, which will be served in chilled mugs, according to       English.
Chris Dibenedetto, international studies senior and member of Gris Gris, said he is excited to play in The House.
 
“They’re trying to do something like Baton Rouge has never seen,” Dibenedetto said.
He said what sets The House apart from other bars is its commitment to do things for “the betterment of the Baton Rouge music scene.”
 
Bowen said he accepts submissions from local bands and wants people in Baton Rouge to help in deciding what acts play at The House.
 
“Even if my personal taste doesn’t agree with it, if there’s a massive response for one band, we’ll do everything in our power to get them,” Bowen said.
 
Chris Peddie, economics senior and light designer at The House, said he has been doing lights for more than a year in Baton Rouge and New Orleans and is impressed with what they’ve put together at The House.
 
Bowen also said during the week when there’s no live music the stage area will be partitioned off to give The House a more intimate bar feel.
 
“We want to have live music at least one night a week and a sweet party the other five nights a week,” Bowen said.
 
New Orleans hip-hop star Mannie Fresh will perform Saturday at The House. The cover will be $25 for 18 to 20-year-olds and $20 for 21 and up.
 
 
 
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Contact Frederick Holl and [email protected]