Comments (0) BEST BLUES BAR - 2007

Famous Dave's

It may be tucked into the corner of an urban emporium, where the devil is far more likely to wear Prada than strike deals at the crossroads. But Famous Dave's Calhoun Square club is the premier spot for the blues in a pair of burgs that laps up the stuff. With the aroma of barbecue sauce wafting about and blues memorabilia gracing the walls, the joint cultivates the ambience of a Delta roadhouse. And besides, the sightlines and sound system are good, there's plenty of room to shake your tail on the dance floor, and the food is downright decent. But what really puts Dave's fretboards ahead of the competition is impresario Paul Metsa's bookings, which regularly feature a potent cross-section of locals and a stream of first-rate national talent. The latter ranges from the gifted but relatively obscure to flat-out legends on the order of Magic Slim and Hubert Sumlin. The calendar is also peppered with a prime assortment of Cajun and zydeco outfits, like Nathan and the Zydeco Cha-Chas and Terrence Simien. Plus, in the true spirit of the blues, there are gourmet kitchen appliances and stylish shoes just down the hall!