Bentonia, Mississippi: Oldest Surviving Juke Joint
The Blue Front Cafe has been open since 1948, hosting blues musicians. A small, weather-worn, cinderblock building in a tiny town. A historical marker out front attests to its importance.
Blue Front Cafe
- Address:
- 107 W. Railroad Ave., Bentonia, MS
- Directions:
- Blue Front Cafe. From US Hwy 49 turn north/east onto Hwy 433. Drive into town, cross the train tracks, then turn right onto Railroad Ave. You'll see the Cafe on the left.
- Phone:
- 662-528-1900
- Admission:
- Free
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We got to see Mr. Jimmy Duck Holmes himself inside. He was so friendly -- totally made the out-of-way stop worth it!
[Emilyafamilyrestaurant, 07/07/2021]
Evidence indicates this is still a hopping juke joint on the weekends!
[Jerry L. Baldridge, 01/03/2017]
The Blues is rooted in old and long forgotten Mississippi juke joints -- long forgotten except for the Blue Front Cafe in Bentonia. Opened in 1948, the Blue Front is recognized as the oldest surviving juke joint in Mississippi, and likely America. Blues legends have played at the old cinder block building for nearly 70 years. The town of Bentonia is also home to a unique style of Blues called Bentonia Blues, known for its unique tuning and style of picking, played by Skip James, Jack Owens, Jimmy "Duck" Holmes, and others.
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