Some of the state’s best sites are hidden right under our noses – and that’s exactly the case with The Julep Room. The decades-old lounge happens to be located in the cellar of a popular coast restaurant. But it’s got more going for it than its obscure locale. The venue has a long and storied past, which includes everything from famous patrons to some phantom residents. Take a look:
Located in Ocean Springs, Aunt Jenny’s Catfish is known for a great menu and stunning views of the nearby bayou as well as the 500-year-old oak trees that adorn the grounds.
Another notable feature of the restaurant is the building it’s located in. Aunt Jenny’s is housed in an antebellum, which dates back to 1852.
The restaurant has something else going for it, though, that many aren’t even aware of – The Julep Room. Accessible through an entrance at the back of the building, The Julep Room is a lounge housed in the cellar of Aunt Jenny’s.
Much more than a bar, The Julep Room is a music venue that hosts an ever-changing array of artists.
Though The Julep Room as it is now wasn’t officially established until 1982, the space has served as a music venue for over 60 years.
In its heyday, the lounge was frequented by several celebrities, including Billie Holiday and Elvis Presley, who preferred to sit in a corner booth in the back. Marilyn Monroe is also rumored to have visited the popular underground bar.
Stories about The Julep Room include more than famous patrons, though. The bar, along with Aunt Jenny’s, is allegedly haunted, which some attribute to the home being used for an asylum at some point in the past.
Over the years, all sorts of inexplicable things have taken place – from faucets mysteriously turning on to an unplugged juke box starting up on its own, playing songs from records that weren’t even in the juke box.
The spookiest of all, though, has to be the phantom patron. Dressed in a white shirt and black pants, the dark-haired ghost often asks visitors to buy him a drink only to disappear after making his request.
Boasting a unique setting, live music, and spirits of two kinds, The Julep Room is everything you could want in a bar… and more!
The Julep Room is open Monday – Saturday, from 4 p.m. – 2 a.m. For more information, call (228) 875-9928. You can also visit The Julep Room Facebook page.
Did you know about this hidden lounge? Ever visited? If so, what’d you think? Know of another hidden spot with a lot of history? Tell us in the comments section.
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