In 1974 I left Natchez for college and returned a year later to find a new bar had opened called the Under-The-Hill Saloon. Wanting to help the local economy, I forced myself to visit. Time and time again.
It sits on the east bank of the Mississippi River, facing Louisiana in the west. It is really hard to imagine a more perfect place for anything, especially for watching the sun boil below the Louisiana horizon, the sky turning impossible colors and the river reflecting them back to the sky.
From the moment I first entered I felt at home. Like Natchez, it seems unchanged by the years. The only time I’ve seen it look different is when a film crew came through and emptied everything and put sand all over the street.
J.D. still tends bar, serving longtime regulars and tourists coming through for the music and good times. You can catch everything from Blues, Bluegrass, Rock N Roll, and Country; to cover bands and original music. You’ll see everything from Harley leather and tattoos to tuxedos and formal gowns. Not much room for dancing inside but believe me there is dancing goin’ on when the crowd is caught up in the moment.
At the rear of the building an indoor patio and game room offer gathering places away from the main crowd. This is such a cool space.
The biggest time of the year for this landmark saloon is the Phatwater Kayak race where people come from all over the country to race from Port Gibson, Mississippi downriver to Natchez. The brainchild of Keith Benoist and saloon co-owner, Melissa Morrison, it is a great weekend in Natchez and the crowning-glory event for the Under-The-Hill Saloon.
Make plans to stop by and create your own memories of this wonderfully funky watering hole along the Mississippi Blues Highway. Sunday afternoons are my favorite time. Hope to see you there.
Under-The-Hill Saloon 25 Silver Street Natchez, MS (601) 446-8023 • underthehillsaloon.com
Tommy Polk grew up in the Natchez/Vidalia area. New Year’s Day in 1979 he found himself in Nashville and within months entered a recording studio and began chasing a music dream that exists to this day. He’s had top 10 songs with Carolyn Dawn Johnson on her single “I Don’t Want You To Go” and another with David Ball on his single “Look What Followed Me Home.” He’s had songs released by Martina McBride, Crystal Gayle, Restless Heart, Diamond Rio, Ray Stevens, Jessica Andrews, Irma Thomas, and many others.
For the past four years, Tommy has organized Ferriday Songfest each October when he brings friends, co-writers and business associates from Nashville to Ferriday for a day long songwriting workshop.
Currently he lives in Natchez, plays keyboard in what he calls a redneck rock and roll band, is a partner in the smartphone app Pushlocal and continues to write.
Other nominees were:
Alluvian Hotel in Greenwood B. B. King Museum in Indianola Delta Music Institute in Cleveland Juke Joint Festival in Clarksdale
