Spanish Moon was the first bar in Baton Rouge that I could actually enjoy myself in. Â I usually went either on Thursday nights, for 80's Night, or on Friday or Saturday nights if my friend's band was playing.
The crowd is generally 18 - 25 year old artsy hipster types, but there is actually a decent mix of people most nights. Â The atmosphere is pretty cool, especially once you know all the stories of supposed hauntings - it has a bit of a New Orleans feel to it. Â
The downsides are:
-First and foremost, it's SO FREAKING SMOKY. Â Even when nobody is actually smoking at any given moment, there's so much smoke and nicotine stink in there that you're going to come out reeking, even after just a few minutes. Â I guess it's not an issue if you smoke, but as a non-smoker, this is a MAJOR turnoff for me.
-It gets incredibly crowded sometimes. Â Like, can't-make-your-way-to-the-bathroom, bar or exit, can-hardly-turn-to-talk-to-a-friend kind of crowded.
-Although some pretty great acts have played here, including a lot of awesome local talent, the acoustics are pretty poor. Â Not sure if it's the acoustics of the building itself, or if it's just bad sound equipment.
I've read a lot of reviews saying how nice the bartenders are. Â However, I've never been particularly struck by the bartenders here one way or the other - except once, when a bartender threatened (after two or three beers) to stop serving my husband if he didn't start tipping her. Â He usually tips at the end of the night when he closes out the debit tab. Â She didn't have any way of knowing this, I suppose, but that's still not exactly quality customer service in my opinion. Â Out of spite, he did start tipping cash-per-drink...to the other bartender. Â That was certainly an exceptional occurrence...but even on the best nights, the barstaff never seemed anything but harried to me.
This review is a warning to those who just read the positives. This place is in a bad part of town. Take one wrong turn and you will be checking your door locks and rolling through stop signs. Also, it was closed at around 6 when I stopped by. It looked abandoned, but that could just be its look. I would certainly give them a call before you stop by.
Review Source:The Spanish Moon is a pretty great bar. They usually have live music or something going on. Wednesday nights is now karaoke night. It was transplanted here after the closing of the beloved Red Star Bar. So if you are looking for a place for karaoke, this is your place on Wednesday nights. Some nights this place can get really crowded and it might take a while to get your drink, but for the most part you can get a drink pretty easy. While Spanish Moon isn't my favorite bar(I prefer my bars small and empty), it's definitely one of the best in Baton Rouge. I do wish they had a better beer list though.
Review Source:If I could give this establishment less than one star, I would. Aside from what I will write next, the sound quality and acoustics in the bar are garbage. If you're of the mind that you want to enjoy your favorite metal, punk, hip hop, or indie band, you'll be sorely disappointed. Unfortunately, Baton Rouge doesn't have a lot of venues for such events to take place with the kind of money needed to draw in good bands on a constant basis... it's just not that kind of city.
An employee named Lacey McRight took it upon herself to physically assault a friend of mine. She shoved her to the ground causing her to bruise severely on her posterior and hands. The management handled this only by "suspending her for a week." Frankly, she deserved to lose her job over this action, and the only message they have sent to this employee that the punishment is minimal if you physically harm someone while in your place of employment. They mishandled this situation. I hope that my posting this warrants future employers to think twice before hiring a person who is prone to violent acts like abusing paying customers in a business.
I will never patronize this business ever again when I come into Baton Rouge. I urge you to make the drive to New Orleans or Houston for your music needs, because aside the management handling this situation poorly, you're being overcharged for a place that simply doesn't deliver what their door fees are promising. The bar is in an extremely dangerous area and break ins are frequent.
I've been Spanish Moon quite a few times. I even got engaged there!
I love the vibe of the Spanish Moon. I've always been a fan of the double levels and brick walls, all the art and of course the music. It's a great venue for live music...sometimes the sound gets a little messed up and the crowd can definitely get a little loud, but overall I can't complain. Drink prices are reasonable and the bartenders are friendly, but I do wish they would change to no smoking inside.
Yes, I'm friends with the owners. Â No, that doesn't mean I'm giving a slanted 5 star. Â
The Moon rocks. Â It's just grimy enough to be true to the roots of the bands that come through, but it's big enough to get the bands that might have forgotten their roots.
They also give a shot to all types of music: punk, rock, hippy, hipster, electronic, fashion shows, rap
Young dudes looking to hit on young chix should come to Star 80 party on Thursday nites. Â Tons of young girls that want to dance to music that was old before they were born. Â But it's 80's so it's fun...and ladies drink free until 11 (or 10, I can't remember).
Drink prices are reasonable and it is 2 stories so you can watch from upstairs or down. Â
Every since my friend stopped going, there haven't been any fights at 2 am...
The Spanish Moon is quite possibly my favorite place in Baton Rouge and always makes the drive from New Orleans worth it. The big draw for me is the eclectic live music selection that the bar brings in, and always for a decent price. I think as of now I've seen 5 or 6 shows and I have always felt that the venue does a great job of creating a good atmosphere for the bands and the crowd. There was a time or two where I have seen technical difficulties, but the crowds have always been quite accommodating. One time a band could not make the show due to a traffic accident, and the club was more than willing to refund tickets or allow people to see the other bands on the bill at a reduced price.
The only reason I have to give a 4 star review is because some times there have been mis-communication as to entry for people who bought tickets online and people buying at the door.
Overall, it is a bit small, but who doesn't love an intimate concert experience? It has always been a fantastic club
Really really love this place! Good bands come through here, and it's pretty much the only place in town for good live music. This place has a great vibe and the bartenders are all really friendly. I went on a Tuesday night and the man at the door was nice, but there was a guy they weren't letting in to the show because he was visiting from France and forgot his passport in New Orleans. I thought that was pretty messed up! He drove all the way from NOLA for the show and they wouldn't let him in. I'm pretty sure the place is 18+ anyways so it's pretty rude not to let a guy in who appears over 18 (he looked at least 25) but whatever... I guess they have to be strict to their policies, but still. Kinda uncool. It was a Tuesday night and not very crowded, give me a break. If that had happened to me I would have probably given this place 1 star but since it did not, it gets 5 stars. Good drinks, good bands, cool atmosphere, decent sound system, good vibes.
Review Source:Well, I will say that there are some pretty good shows here and that's why I'm not giving the Spanish Moon one star. Â
Why two stars? The door man of this establishment basically made a night of my life terrible. Â I live in New Orleans and we drove out to see Bill Callahan. Â Unfortunately, I forgot my ID, and while I understand that some places have policies; this doorman was a particular jerk about not letting me in, even when I wasn't going to drink. Â It was an outrageous scene.
Finally, my friends went in and I just stood next to the door, resigned to the fact that I was gonna stay outside. Â Now, here's when the doorguy pulls an ego trip and me I can't stand there. Â I say "But I just want to hear the music" and he says, I can't be there and calls the cops. And I'm like "really?, Thanks dude"
Anyway, I didn't feel like talking to the cops, so I split. Â But yikes, what an asshat.
Super cool architecture. Huge downstairs and upstairs. Pool tables. Nice big stage. The only legit venue in BR.
The bartenders do not mess around. I hesitated on my beer decision and this chick got two drink orders from other people while I was like "duhh..."
The crowd can be questionable. They could use a bike rack.
Probably the best venue in the city to see live music. I've always had a good time coming here. Friendly and quick bartenders, and always some pretty cool people hanging out in here. Whoever is in their booking department kicks ass, because they have someone who is generally well known playing here at least once a month.
Review Source:Thursday nights at this place are the best! I was taken back when I got inside, it was unlike ANY other baton club. The entrance of a dismal brick building in an area that you might not want to walk alone in is marked by a small metal sign reading "spanish moon" ... So uninviting and quaint ... psshhh ... Once you get in and see how big this place is you'll gasp. Old wood new lights, side stage, huge bar and and upstairs,,,,
The first level is a dance hall/ sitting room
the upstairs is like a dive bar pool hall
this is whats great because you and your boys can chug beers and play pool and look down and see your girls tearing up the dance floor.
Thursday were my jam, since its clost to LSU it does get collegey.
The only other downer is smoking in bars is legal there and after a while it gets rather smokey .
I gotta say this place impressed the pants off of me. Â The building itself is absolutely gorgeous and the upstairs bar is beautiful. Â I found everyone from the guy at the door to the bartenders super friendly despite the crowd. Â We went with friends who know someone who works there which always helps but I had no idea that we would be treated to some amazingly talented musicians. Â I really did not know what to expect but I left quite drunk, ears humming from the band, and happy as a clam. Â I strongly recommend this to the out of town visitor who'd like to see some great live music and tap their toes with a lovely pint in their hands. Â Bravo!
Review Source:The Spanish Moon kicks ass!
I remember as an LSU student going here super loaded and having the time of my life. It's really not the same nowadays but it brings back so many memories well hell I had to say something about it.
Especially when I randomly go the night I am back in BR and see people that I haven't run into in like 6 years!!
This place was and still is packed with great local and well known talent. If you land in Baton Rouge take a trip over to the Spanish moon you won't regret it.
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