Chelsea’s Cafe offers more than crawfish risotto, tasty tomato basil soup and numerous cold beers on tap.
Nestled under the Perkins Road overpass, the restaurant also serves as a music venue for brass and indie-rock bands, as well as other musical genres suited for University students’ appetites.
The casual and comfortable atmosphere provides a varied lineup of music this spring, including the ambient psychedelic Maserati this Friday, funk and jam band Stagecoach Bandits on April 23 and renowned San Diego-based indie-rock band Pinback on May 5.
Gabe Daigle, event booker at Chelsea’s, began working for the restaurant three months ago. He said he enjoys his work because it re-introduces him to new bands and incredible artists.
Daigle said Chelsea’s has a history of booking a lot of a funk and brass bands, but he also wants to broaden and diversify through booking the household names that made Chelsea’s a Baton Rouge staple.
“I spent a lot of time hanging out at Chelsea’s over the last 10 to 15 years,” Daigle said. “When out-of-town musicians come to Chelsea’s, they always say it’s one of the more unique spots because of the vibe and people.”
To keep the venue fresh, Daigle said Chelsea’s embraces University students but also aims to bring in various groups within the community.
Markelle Palombo, University alumna and Garden District resident, said Chelsea’s features diverse bands that cater to every audience. The Baton Rouge native said the local establishment is a great venue for the Garden District area, as well as the University, and is one of few local venues that hosts quality, live music.
“Chelsea’s is a very eclectic scene with lots of diverse bands going through,” she said.
Palombo said she remembers seeing roots rock band Truth and Salvage Co. at Chelsea’s after seeing them play a month earlier at the legendary Troubadour in Hollywood.
“I was very impressed that Chelsea’s booked a fresh-on-the-scene band,” Palombo said. “They stay relevant with up-and-coming artists and bring them to Baton Rouge.”
 
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Contact Jeanne Lyons at [email protected]