Dead Poet, the University area’s newest bar, is spicing up nightlife for students with their different take from the traditional college bar.
The bar, located on East Boyd Drive, opened its doors in December. Local artist Ellen Ogden painted the murals that feature a wide variety of artists from Edgar Allan Poe to Tupac. The bar presents live entertainment every Wednesday.
When asked why the name Dead Poet, bar manager Christian Grimaldo, a University alumnus, explained that there were many factors that went into the decision.
“We wanted to tie it in to LSU in some way,” Grimaldo said. “We wanted to do something that drew it back to education. Dead Poet Society was one of the owner’s favorite books, and we used Dead Poet as a little tie in. A nod to education and literary themes.”
Along with its name and locale, Dead Poet’s objective is to provide a different experience altogether from that offered by other businesses in the area.
“Once you come inside, I think that’s the big difference. We put a lot of thought and care into the design and the functionality of the place,” Grimaldo said. “We want to give the student a better experience than they’ve gotten used to with the offerings in Tigerland right now.”
The bar is equipped with a large dance floor for customers to dance in, a stage for performers, sitting areas and Ogden’s lively murals. It has a wide selection of beers and cocktails, including margaritas from Velvet Cactus.
“We definitely have places for you to chill out, have a drink and have a conversation, which is something I think that’s lacking in the area,” Grimaldo said.
In addition to live music every Wednesday, customers can enjoy a unique selection of music from two house DJs who rotate every Friday and Saturday. The house playlist includes selections from staff, management and the owners.
“We are focused on new music in and not play the same old like 80s rock tunes and nineties rap,” Grimaldo said. “We like all that stuff but it’s just not, it’s not gonna be the focus.”
The bar’s address, 623 East Boyd Drive, has a history of seeing many businesses open and close. Some upperclassmen and alumni refer to it as cursed. Grimaldo, who was a student at the University from 2010-2016, wwitnessed firsthand the demise of bars like Shady’s, Top’s, and The Bandit. As daunting as it may seem, Grimaldo says he’s not put off by it.
“I’ve heard a lot of that, even from friends and family,” Grimaldo said. “One, I’m not very superstitious. And two, I think that everywhere else there just wanted to open a bar. They didn’t really put any time and effort into it the same way that we did.”
Unlike its local predecessors that wanted to fit in with the preexisting bar scene, Dead Poet aims to stand out. As of now, Dead Poet is only one of two venues that offer weekly live entertainment in the University area. With a team who has carefully constructed the space and paid attention to every detail, Dead Poet may defy the odds.
“I mean, we thought of all that whenever we came for this project, from the Jordan Jefferson incident in 2010 or 2011 to the surrounding businesses, all that stuff,” Grimaldo said. “But I think we’re a lot different than those other places. That’s been our main focus – is to stand out. We don’t want you to remember Shady’s when you walk in.”
Dead Poet is open Wednesday to Saturday from 8 p.m. to 2 a.m.
Dead Poet sits on 623 E Boyd Drive, on Jan. 14, 2019.
