Excerpted from a letter sent to City Council members several weeks ago (to their credit, two of them responded within 24 hours):
Chelsea’s is one of the few private institutions in Baton Rouge committed to presenting citizens with the opportunity to see musical artists (and, indeed, visual artists) outside the mainstream. Remmeter has cultivated relationships that bring noteworthy independent and avant-garde musicians from across the world to this city; Chelsea’s is known nationally as a worthwhile place for touring musicians to stop and find an enthusiastic crowd.
Since moving here to teach at LSU in 2006, I’ve heard a lot from locals about how “dead” Baton Rouge used to be, and how vibrant it is now by comparison, with the addition of components such as the Shaw Center. I ve also heard politicians including the Mayor-President and the City Council talk about putting Baton Rouge “on the map,” so to speak, getting some respect for a metropolitan area that has grown into a new role not only as a regional center for commerce, but also for the arts. In my opinion as a former resident of New York City, Nashville, Minneapolis, Charlottesville (VA), Athens (Greece), and Rome (Italy) places like Chelsea’s are integral to the achievement of such goals, and they deserve support rather than persecution. If Baton Rouge is serious about attracting creative professionals, it should do whatever is needed to make Chelsea s and, hopefully, other venues for artistic expression like it thrive.
A final note: I live in the Council district where Chelsea s is located, and, as a voter who participates in every election, I hope that we can count on our representative to spearhead the movement within the Council to preserve and protect places such as Chelsea s that contribute so much to the cultural vibrancy of our community. Please support the zoning change application for Chelsea’s Restaurant.
I remember sitting at Chelsea’s in the mid-90s when 18 was the drinking age, a few days before my friends and I left Baton Rouge for the first year of college, drinking purple people eater daiquiris late at night and trying to be cool. I liked going to Chelsea’s back then but as it has added live music and moved locations, I’ve come to see it as the center of my social life. I’ve often referred to it as my living room.
I love Chelsea’s because it’s within walking distance of my house, for the grilled cheese sandwiches, because they always carry the seasonal Abitas, because even late at night the bartenders will serve me in a glass if I promise to bring it back unbroken, because it’s smoke-free, because every time I step in there I see people I know from all over town, the friendly waiters and of course Dave himself who always seems to be there, for the great music and dance floor, the back porch, the low covers, the bike rack, the sofa room, and most of all the low-key ambiance. My favorite shows have been the Red Stick Ramblers, Pine Leaf Boys, Weary Boys and White Ghost Shivers. I’ve attended book club meetings, poetry readings, birthday parties, fundraisers, and festivals at Chelsea’s.
It’s like a punch in the stomach to realize that all this might soon be taken away. I have my suspicions about why it’s happening, and they’re just guesses. But I am positive about the effect of these attacks–it’s going to be a real, tangible blow to the cultural life of people like me. I don’t belong to a country club, I don’t go to church and I don’t care for football. Please, please tell me that there is a future for me in this town. I want a heterogeneous, diverse culture in Baton Rouge, but I think that’s going to be very difficult without Chelsea’s as a gathering place.
Chelsea’s is the only place in town with it all: warm outgoing atmosphere, incredible food, great cold beer, outdoor dining, and fantastic music. These qualities, when taken together, create Community where we meet after running/biking the lakes, LSU graduate students hold informal meetings, and ideas and friends are developed.
I just moved here in August from California, and Chelsea’s was the first place to show me what southern hospitality was all about. In fact, having lived in SF and LA for the last 14 years, I can say that, for all those cities have to offer, neither one of them had a place as comfortable and unique as Chelsea’s. Where else can you eat fried green tomatoes, drink a bottle of Xingu, and watch Rebirth Brass Band?
In a state where government seems very oriented towards unregulated free market economic principles, I find it curious that, within the city limits of the state capital, government would actively be involved in restricting how a successful local enterprise conducts its business. When we consider that the nation is also suffering through a recession, tampering with the livelihoods of over fifty hard working people seems even more perplexing. Frankly, it seems un-American.
Chelsea’s is the first place I bring people from out of town when they come to visit. I’m proud to show it off to friends new to Baton Rouge.
Until someone gives me a rational argument that explains exactly why this bureaucratic issue can’t be resolved pragmatically, I will continue to see this issue as a witch hunt that reaks of injustice.
The following is a letter I just sent to my legislators imploring them to support growth and freedom in our district. Feel free to co-opt.
Dear Representative Smith and Senator Dorsey:
I am writing you today to express my concern for and support of Dave Remmetter and Chelsea’s. The crusade being led by Painter and the ATC is incredibly disturbing to me. In light of the fragile economic situation across the country, I find it utterly irresponsible for a state agency to effectively pick the pockets of a thriving, socially-conscious small-business in my community.
From my own reading and discussions with legal professionals, it appears that at the very least Painter’s complaints are based on an “interpretation” of the law. In a democratic society, we are innocent until proven guilty. I am shocked that the courts enforced the pulling of Chelsea’s liquor license before a full hearing was held. I am also offended that the state is superceding the laws of the metro council. It has seemed to us that Dave Remmetter has consistently made good faith attempts to abide the law, and he is suffering for it.
Chelsea’s has become an institution for many of Baton Rouge’s citizens. When I was a graduate student at LSU, Dave was the first sponsor I secured to provide complementary food for students in my organization. He also graciously allowed my department to hold poetry & fiction readings AT NO COST to us. Graduate students (in the arts, especially) are notoriously poor. I believe his graciousness is part of the reason why poetry readings are cropping up at a number of bars & restaurants across town. Thus, he has a direct impact on the quality and quantity of literary readings around our great city. Walk into his establishment, and you’ll see local art on the walls, and local artists serving food and drinks to patrons. His staff is comprised of some of Baton Rouge’s most talented musicians and visual artists.
As a member of the Baton Rouge Community, I’ve been able to call on Dave for additional support. I’m a member of the RSAK (Red Stick Area Kickball). We host a charity tournament & ball once or twice a year. Our usual beneficiary is ARC (Adult Retarded Citizens Association, they sponsor an inclusive-kickball league for kids). Dave has consistently offered financial and in-kind support for our charity events.
In general, Dave Remmetter and Chelsea’s are both extraordinary insitutions in Baton Rouge. A hardship for Dave and Chelsea’s equals a hardship for our community. I implore you to do everything in your power to ensure that we can support Dave in the same way he has continuously supported us.
A new bill has been proposed, SB136, that we believe will allow Chelsea’s to continue to operate successfully as both a bar AND restaurant. It is archaic and obscene to think that some random laws attempting to control the behavior of free citizens (patrons of Chelsea’s) will be allowed to stand. There is no ethical reason why Chelsea’s cannot function as a restaurant until 10 pm, and as a bar for the rest of the night. Please do the right thing and support this bill, Chelsea’s, and your constituents.
As everyone knows I support all the good comments about Chelsea’s.. It is a direct relation on how my son conducts business in this trying time of economic need. Not only does Chelsea’s employee 65 people but it brings a wide variety of tourist in the area. Why he is being put in this position is beyond me. From what I understand the ATF wants him to become another Bar in Baton Rouge. If Dave had his rathers he would like to remain a restaurant. Thus, Chelsea’s would remain open to the entire family, not just people 21 years old and older.
Make a call to someone who can help, Representatives, Senators, Governor etc.
George Remmetter
PS
Establishments like Chelsea’s take a nack to stay alive. It just doesn’t happen overnight, it takes a life time and sometimes longer to have the respect and notoriety Chelsea’s has.
It only take one day to tear it down. What’s wrong with this picture?
Is this the government we need?
When I moved to Baton Rouge in 2000, I was already part of many communities of musicians in Lake Charles, Natchitoches, and New Orleans, but was worried about having to start over as “the new guy in a new town”. Being new to Baton Rouge, I had very little idea of where to begin in getting myself into the BR community of musicians.
The community of musicians that hung around Chelsea’s was incredibly warm and welcoming. Before I knew it, I was jamming with Ryan Lake, Mike Waugh, Denton Hatcher, Kevin Duffy, John Smart, and a whole SLEW of musicians who care MORE about music, than status, MORE about good times than playing credentials. Since 2000, I’ve had more opportunities to play jazz, rock, funk, country, ORIGINAL music and cover music in this town because of the wonderful, accepting community of musicians that grew out of Chelsea’s.
Dave has created a place where musicians can feel free to experiment with music, play polished shows or just jam with friends, and musicians/patrons/lovers of music can all make lasting friendships in a warm and welcoming environment.
I love Chelsea’s and cannot THANK DAVE enough for the experiences I have had there as a lover of food and beer, a musician, and someone who truly values a place that I feel is MY place to hang out with friends.
-my refuge;
-my home away from home;
-my office;
-my place to meet friends;
-my bicycle-friendly watering hole;
-my cribbage parlor and headquarters;
-my place to hear great music and relax;
-my place to know that I am a part of BRLA and not just a stranger in a strange land.
What does it mean to Baton Rouge?
Chelsea’s is:
-an excellent example of what locally owned business should be (rooted in, reflective of, and supporting of the community) as opposed to what corporate chains are (bland smarmy sameness rooted in profit and reflective of the latest marketing model serving a non-existent “average citizen”);
-an example of how a city builds an environment supportive of and attractive to the “creative class” - a term I am coming to loathe but it is what our alleged “leaders” want to create (too bad they can’t see the horse they are riding on is the horse they are seeking elsewhere);
- an opportunity, a model, to be followed, not something to be smashed and destroyed.
Over the past 5 or 6 years various groups from BRLA have gone to Austin, Memphis, Raleigh, and Richmond to see how other towns similar to BRLA have “done it good, done it right” in creating an environment conducive to attracting the “creative class.” Where are these roving people now? Why can’t they see that there is already a “creative class” in BRLA and Chelsea’s is one of the reasons creative people stay here? Where is their support?
I can’t tell you how bad this makes me feel, how angry this stupidity makes me. I love Chelsea’s. It’s given me a reason to stay in this town and I really resent some bureaucrat trying to take that away from me. Rise up!
We (my boyfriend and I) have only been in baton rouge for around 10 months, and we absolutely hate it here. Most people won’t give us the time of day. Chelsea’s has been the one place that has given us that feeling of being home away from home. We wouldn’t know what to do if we couldn’t go to Chelsea’s anymore. We love the music and the people.
Chesea’s is entirely locally-owned and operated and has been a local favorite for nearly three decades and Chelsea’s serves the best sandwiches in town.
The owner/manager lives in Baton Rouge and is my neighbor in Spanish Town. Our city - and our state - collects a LOT of tax revenue from Chelsea’s.
If it isn’t enough that the city does so little to help our local business-owners, it’s an insult to injury that some people will try to make them fail.
If Chelsea’s is forced to leave the area, it’s owner/manager will open elsewhere and do a fabulous business because he HAS a fabulous business.
If Chelsea’s is forced to leave the area, we’ll have one less reason to live here. We’ll leave Baton Rouge and spend our money somewhere else.
Chelsea’s is one of our favorite restaurants and is a great gathering place for our neighborhood and Baton Rouge as a whole. Chelsea’s and the other businesses in the Perkin’s Overpass Area are one of the main reasons we bought a house in the Hillsdale neighborhood. We can walk to some of the best restaurants in Baton Rouge, a grocery, a pharmacy, a bookstore, a coffee shop, gift stores, and salons/barber shops. And all of these businesses are independent and locally owned. Considering the national trend towards Traditional Neighborhood Developments (TNDs) like Perkin’s Rowe and the proposed Rouzan development, which at best, are only *copies* of authentic neighborhoods like ours and usually only contain over-priced national chain stores and corporate-owned restaurants, I would think people would understand what a treasure great establishments like Chelsea’s are to classic older neighborhoods like ours. Frankly, I cannot understand why someone would choose to live in Perkin’s Rowe over living in one of the many beautiful neighborhoods surrounding the Perkins Overpass area, but that’s just me.
We have young children (ages 6 & 9) and we have found Chelsea’s to be very family-friendly both at lunch and dinner time. Yet it is the best place in town to see live bands later at night. The food is always fresh and creative and absolutely yummy. Service is friendly and prompt; drink choices are many. I love the local art and funky “flavor” of Chelsea’s and the diverse crowds that support it. When friends and family visit from out of state, we always bring them to Chelsea’s and without exception, they have all loved it.
I don’t understand the silly law that says an establishment cannot be both a bar and a restaurant. It is just that — silly.
Remember Y2K? Remember how everyone thought that the world was going to come to a grinding halt? Where did I chose to make my stand that New Years Eve? Chelsea’s Cafe; the OLD Chelsea’s. I knew that when the zombies came for us, my fellow compatriots at Chelsea’s would have my back and we’d all make it to see the sun rise over a that smoldering, post-apocalyptic wasteland of a Red Stick. I knew we’d all pitch in and help rebuild this little town from the ashes. Now, it seems like the State wants to take this Alamo of Abita away from us. Why?
Chelsea’s means great music and great food! It means employment (and good money) for hundreds of local musicians.
Excerpted from a letter sent to City Council members several weeks ago (to their credit, two of them responded within 24 hours):
Chelsea’s is one of the few private institutions in Baton Rouge committed to presenting citizens with the opportunity to see musical artists (and, indeed, visual artists) outside the mainstream. Remmeter has cultivated relationships that bring noteworthy independent and avant-garde musicians from across the world to this city; Chelsea’s is known nationally as a worthwhile place for touring musicians to stop and find an enthusiastic crowd.
Since moving here to teach at LSU in 2006, I’ve heard a lot from locals about how “dead” Baton Rouge used to be, and how vibrant it is now by comparison, with the addition of components such as the Shaw Center. I ve also heard politicians including the Mayor-President and the City Council talk about putting Baton Rouge “on the map,” so to speak, getting some respect for a metropolitan area that has grown into a new role not only as a regional center for commerce, but also for the arts. In my opinion as a former resident of New York City, Nashville, Minneapolis, Charlottesville (VA), Athens (Greece), and Rome (Italy) places like Chelsea’s are integral to the achievement of such goals, and they deserve support rather than persecution. If Baton Rouge is serious about attracting creative professionals, it should do whatever is needed to make Chelsea s and, hopefully, other venues for artistic expression like it thrive.
A final note: I live in the Council district where Chelsea s is located, and, as a voter who participates in every election, I hope that we can count on our representative to spearhead the movement within the Council to preserve and protect places such as Chelsea s that contribute so much to the cultural vibrancy of our community. Please support the zoning change application for Chelsea’s Restaurant.
I remember sitting at Chelsea’s in the mid-90s when 18 was the drinking age, a few days before my friends and I left Baton Rouge for the first year of college, drinking purple people eater daiquiris late at night and trying to be cool. I liked going to Chelsea’s back then but as it has added live music and moved locations, I’ve come to see it as the center of my social life. I’ve often referred to it as my living room.
I love Chelsea’s because it’s within walking distance of my house, for the grilled cheese sandwiches, because they always carry the seasonal Abitas, because even late at night the bartenders will serve me in a glass if I promise to bring it back unbroken, because it’s smoke-free, because every time I step in there I see people I know from all over town, the friendly waiters and of course Dave himself who always seems to be there, for the great music and dance floor, the back porch, the low covers, the bike rack, the sofa room, and most of all the low-key ambiance. My favorite shows have been the Red Stick Ramblers, Pine Leaf Boys, Weary Boys and White Ghost Shivers. I’ve attended book club meetings, poetry readings, birthday parties, fundraisers, and festivals at Chelsea’s.
It’s like a punch in the stomach to realize that all this might soon be taken away. I have my suspicions about why it’s happening, and they’re just guesses. But I am positive about the effect of these attacks–it’s going to be a real, tangible blow to the cultural life of people like me. I don’t belong to a country club, I don’t go to church and I don’t care for football. Please, please tell me that there is a future for me in this town. I want a heterogeneous, diverse culture in Baton Rouge, but I think that’s going to be very difficult without Chelsea’s as a gathering place.
Chelsea’s is the only place in town with it all: warm outgoing atmosphere, incredible food, great cold beer, outdoor dining, and fantastic music. These qualities, when taken together, create Community where we meet after running/biking the lakes, LSU graduate students hold informal meetings, and ideas and friends are developed.
I just moved here in August from California, and Chelsea’s was the first place to show me what southern hospitality was all about. In fact, having lived in SF and LA for the last 14 years, I can say that, for all those cities have to offer, neither one of them had a place as comfortable and unique as Chelsea’s. Where else can you eat fried green tomatoes, drink a bottle of Xingu, and watch Rebirth Brass Band?
In a state where government seems very oriented towards unregulated free market economic principles, I find it curious that, within the city limits of the state capital, government would actively be involved in restricting how a successful local enterprise conducts its business. When we consider that the nation is also suffering through a recession, tampering with the livelihoods of over fifty hard working people seems even more perplexing. Frankly, it seems un-American.
Chelsea’s is the first place I bring people from out of town when they come to visit. I’m proud to show it off to friends new to Baton Rouge.
Until someone gives me a rational argument that explains exactly why this bureaucratic issue can’t be resolved pragmatically, I will continue to see this issue as a witch hunt that reaks of injustice.
The following is a letter I just sent to my legislators imploring them to support growth and freedom in our district. Feel free to co-opt.
Dear Representative Smith and Senator Dorsey:
I am writing you today to express my concern for and support of Dave Remmetter and Chelsea’s. The crusade being led by Painter and the ATC is incredibly disturbing to me. In light of the fragile economic situation across the country, I find it utterly irresponsible for a state agency to effectively pick the pockets of a thriving, socially-conscious small-business in my community.
From my own reading and discussions with legal professionals, it appears that at the very least Painter’s complaints are based on an “interpretation” of the law. In a democratic society, we are innocent until proven guilty. I am shocked that the courts enforced the pulling of Chelsea’s liquor license before a full hearing was held. I am also offended that the state is superceding the laws of the metro council. It has seemed to us that Dave Remmetter has consistently made good faith attempts to abide the law, and he is suffering for it.
Chelsea’s has become an institution for many of Baton Rouge’s citizens. When I was a graduate student at LSU, Dave was the first sponsor I secured to provide complementary food for students in my organization. He also graciously allowed my department to hold poetry & fiction readings AT NO COST to us. Graduate students (in the arts, especially) are notoriously poor. I believe his graciousness is part of the reason why poetry readings are cropping up at a number of bars & restaurants across town. Thus, he has a direct impact on the quality and quantity of literary readings around our great city. Walk into his establishment, and you’ll see local art on the walls, and local artists serving food and drinks to patrons. His staff is comprised of some of Baton Rouge’s most talented musicians and visual artists.
As a member of the Baton Rouge Community, I’ve been able to call on Dave for additional support. I’m a member of the RSAK (Red Stick Area Kickball). We host a charity tournament & ball once or twice a year. Our usual beneficiary is ARC (Adult Retarded Citizens Association, they sponsor an inclusive-kickball league for kids). Dave has consistently offered financial and in-kind support for our charity events.
In general, Dave Remmetter and Chelsea’s are both extraordinary insitutions in Baton Rouge. A hardship for Dave and Chelsea’s equals a hardship for our community. I implore you to do everything in your power to ensure that we can support Dave in the same way he has continuously supported us.
A new bill has been proposed, SB136, that we believe will allow Chelsea’s to continue to operate successfully as both a bar AND restaurant. It is archaic and obscene to think that some random laws attempting to control the behavior of free citizens (patrons of Chelsea’s) will be allowed to stand. There is no ethical reason why Chelsea’s cannot function as a restaurant until 10 pm, and as a bar for the rest of the night. Please do the right thing and support this bill, Chelsea’s, and your constituents.
Save Chelsea’s!
Sincerely and with great hope,
Colleen H. Fava
As everyone knows I support all the good comments about Chelsea’s.. It is a direct relation on how my son conducts business in this trying time of economic need. Not only does Chelsea’s employee 65 people but it brings a wide variety of tourist in the area. Why he is being put in this position is beyond me. From what I understand the ATF wants him to become another Bar in Baton Rouge. If Dave had his rathers he would like to remain a restaurant. Thus, Chelsea’s would remain open to the entire family, not just people 21 years old and older.
Make a call to someone who can help, Representatives, Senators, Governor etc.
George Remmetter
PS
Establishments like Chelsea’s take a nack to stay alive. It just doesn’t happen overnight, it takes a life time and sometimes longer to have the respect and notoriety Chelsea’s has.
It only take one day to tear it down. What’s wrong with this picture?
Is this the government we need?
When I moved to Baton Rouge in 2000, I was already part of many communities of musicians in Lake Charles, Natchitoches, and New Orleans, but was worried about having to start over as “the new guy in a new town”. Being new to Baton Rouge, I had very little idea of where to begin in getting myself into the BR community of musicians.
The community of musicians that hung around Chelsea’s was incredibly warm and welcoming. Before I knew it, I was jamming with Ryan Lake, Mike Waugh, Denton Hatcher, Kevin Duffy, John Smart, and a whole SLEW of musicians who care MORE about music, than status, MORE about good times than playing credentials. Since 2000, I’ve had more opportunities to play jazz, rock, funk, country, ORIGINAL music and cover music in this town because of the wonderful, accepting community of musicians that grew out of Chelsea’s.
Dave has created a place where musicians can feel free to experiment with music, play polished shows or just jam with friends, and musicians/patrons/lovers of music can all make lasting friendships in a warm and welcoming environment.
I love Chelsea’s and cannot THANK DAVE enough for the experiences I have had there as a lover of food and beer, a musician, and someone who truly values a place that I feel is MY place to hang out with friends.
Chelsea’s is a home away from home.
What does Chelsea’s mean to me? Chelsea’s is:
-my refuge;
-my home away from home;
-my office;
-my place to meet friends;
-my bicycle-friendly watering hole;
-my cribbage parlor and headquarters;
-my place to hear great music and relax;
-my place to know that I am a part of BRLA and not just a stranger in a strange land.
What does it mean to Baton Rouge?
Chelsea’s is:
-an excellent example of what locally owned business should be (rooted in, reflective of, and supporting of the community) as opposed to what corporate chains are (bland smarmy sameness rooted in profit and reflective of the latest marketing model serving a non-existent “average citizen”);
-an example of how a city builds an environment supportive of and attractive to the “creative class” - a term I am coming to loathe but it is what our alleged “leaders” want to create (too bad they can’t see the horse they are riding on is the horse they are seeking elsewhere);
- an opportunity, a model, to be followed, not something to be smashed and destroyed.
Over the past 5 or 6 years various groups from BRLA have gone to Austin, Memphis, Raleigh, and Richmond to see how other towns similar to BRLA have “done it good, done it right” in creating an environment conducive to attracting the “creative class.” Where are these roving people now? Why can’t they see that there is already a “creative class” in BRLA and Chelsea’s is one of the reasons creative people stay here? Where is their support?
I can’t tell you how bad this makes me feel, how angry this stupidity makes me. I love Chelsea’s. It’s given me a reason to stay in this town and I really resent some bureaucrat trying to take that away from me. Rise up!
We (my boyfriend and I) have only been in baton rouge for around 10 months, and we absolutely hate it here. Most people won’t give us the time of day. Chelsea’s has been the one place that has given us that feeling of being home away from home. We wouldn’t know what to do if we couldn’t go to Chelsea’s anymore. We love the music and the people.
Chesea’s is entirely locally-owned and operated and has been a local favorite for nearly three decades and Chelsea’s serves the best sandwiches in town.
The owner/manager lives in Baton Rouge and is my neighbor in Spanish Town. Our city - and our state - collects a LOT of tax revenue from Chelsea’s.
If it isn’t enough that the city does so little to help our local business-owners, it’s an insult to injury that some people will try to make them fail.
If Chelsea’s is forced to leave the area, it’s owner/manager will open elsewhere and do a fabulous business because he HAS a fabulous business.
If Chelsea’s is forced to leave the area, we’ll have one less reason to live here. We’ll leave Baton Rouge and spend our money somewhere else.
Think about it.
Chelsea’s is one of our favorite restaurants and is a great gathering place for our neighborhood and Baton Rouge as a whole. Chelsea’s and the other businesses in the Perkin’s Overpass Area are one of the main reasons we bought a house in the Hillsdale neighborhood. We can walk to some of the best restaurants in Baton Rouge, a grocery, a pharmacy, a bookstore, a coffee shop, gift stores, and salons/barber shops. And all of these businesses are independent and locally owned. Considering the national trend towards Traditional Neighborhood Developments (TNDs) like Perkin’s Rowe and the proposed Rouzan development, which at best, are only *copies* of authentic neighborhoods like ours and usually only contain over-priced national chain stores and corporate-owned restaurants, I would think people would understand what a treasure great establishments like Chelsea’s are to classic older neighborhoods like ours. Frankly, I cannot understand why someone would choose to live in Perkin’s Rowe over living in one of the many beautiful neighborhoods surrounding the Perkins Overpass area, but that’s just me.
We have young children (ages 6 & 9) and we have found Chelsea’s to be very family-friendly both at lunch and dinner time. Yet it is the best place in town to see live bands later at night. The food is always fresh and creative and absolutely yummy. Service is friendly and prompt; drink choices are many. I love the local art and funky “flavor” of Chelsea’s and the diverse crowds that support it. When friends and family visit from out of state, we always bring them to Chelsea’s and without exception, they have all loved it.
I don’t understand the silly law that says an establishment cannot be both a bar and a restaurant. It is just that — silly.
Remember Y2K? Remember how everyone thought that the world was going to come to a grinding halt? Where did I chose to make my stand that New Years Eve? Chelsea’s Cafe; the OLD Chelsea’s. I knew that when the zombies came for us, my fellow compatriots at Chelsea’s would have my back and we’d all make it to see the sun rise over a that smoldering, post-apocalyptic wasteland of a Red Stick. I knew we’d all pitch in and help rebuild this little town from the ashes. Now, it seems like the State wants to take this Alamo of Abita away from us. Why?