Kermit Ruffins Mother-in-Law Lounge and Ernie K-Doe
Why is it significant?
Arrive before the brightly painted, psychedelic exterior of Kermit's Tremé Mother-in-Law Lounge at 1500 North Claiborne Avenue.
Key Facts
| Place | Kermit Ruffins Mother-in-Law Lounge and Ernie K-Doe |
|---|---|
| Address | 1500 N Claiborne Ave, New Orleans, LA 70116, United States |
| Geo Coordinates | 29.96880, -90.07550 |
| Part of Walk | Tremé, Congo Square and Armstrong Park: The African American Cradle of Jazz |
| Generated | Generated |
Arrive before the brightly painted, psychedelic exterior of Kermit's Tremé Mother-in-Law Lounge at 1500 North Claiborne Avenue. This legendary musical sanctuary was established in 1994 by eccentric rhythm and blues royalty Ernie K-Doe, whose 1961 smash single "Mother-in-Law" topped both the Billboard pop and R&B charts as one of the definitive hits of the golden age of New Orleans rock and roll.
Look at the exterior murals covering every inch of the building: painted in brilliant blues, purples, and yellows, the artwork depicts Ernie K-Doe in his royal cape and crown proclaiming himself "Emperor of the Universe," alongside portraits of jazz greats and local brass players.
Following K-Doe's death in 2001, his beloved wife Antoinette kept the lounge open, famously displaying a life-sized mannequin of Ernie dressed in his favorite rhinestone suit by the bar. When Hurricane Katrina severely flooded the building in 2005, Antoinette courageously restored the venue. In 2014, celebrated New Orleans jazz trumpeter, singer, and barbecue master Kermit Ruffins took over management of the lounge, revitalizing it into the premier community gathering post in Tremé. Ruffins preserved Ernie and Antoinette legacy while adding his own exuberant hospitality, smoking seasoned ribs in the courtyard smoker and playing joyous trumpet solos for dancing neighbors. On weekend afternoons, the sidewalk fills with the irresistible aroma of Kermit's complimentary barbecue chicken and red beans bubbling in giant outdoor pots, while Kermit and his Barbecue Swingers play loose, swinging jazz sets inside for enthusiastic crowds of locals and travelers.
Stepping onto the dance floor surrounded by K-Doe memorabilia as a brass horn plays a driving blues chorus, you experience the absolute joy of New Orleans musical camaraderie. The Mother-in-Law Lounge is an irreplaceable living temple of neighborhood spirit.
Walk south along the broad neutral ground of North Claiborne Avenue toward historic Henriette Delille Street.