Downtown Ocean Springs premier dive bar!
The Juke Joint is an establishment that needs little introduction, known by all in Ocean Springs and her neighboring cities as one of the finest spots for music, food, and conversation. The co-owners, Guido and Trench, are deeply embedded in their local communities, from sponsoring the high school power lifting team to offering a guiding voice to newer local establishments. I had a time to sit with Guido and Trench (on a new, beautifully constructed deck thanks to a grant from Mississippi Power, and a facade grant from the Mississippi Chamber of Commerce) to talk about all they have been able to offer their community as owners of the top bar and venue on Government street.
“The Juke Joint’s been a staple here for fifteen, sixteen years- probably longer.” Says Guido. “I feel like Trench and I have been really good stewards in the community. We don’t just push problems away, we try to compromise and work with our neighbors. We try to be good neighbors because we have food and we want them to come here and eat it and enjoy the atmosphere. It’s a whole different vibe here, and people know that’s just what we do.”
A big part of what The Juke Joint does also involves catering to our much loved but often underlooked service industry. Being one of the few establishments that stays open in to the early morning means that the staff of the Juke Joint have the pleasure to offer these hard working individuals a place to relax after their shift.
“That’s kind of who we cater to.” Says Trench. “A lot of people know that there’s a second and third shift, they know that people work that. But far and away they are a largely not thought about portion of the population. When bartenders get off, where do they go and hangout? Cause they can’t hang out or party before work. If you just worked your butt off downtown, or across the bridge, come have a good time. Relax, it’s a chill atmosphere, that’s what we’re geared towards.”
“Put it like this,” adds Guido. “Somebody’s 2am is somebody else’s 5’o’clock where they’re getting off work and they want to go unwind.”
The Juke Joint also offers its grounds to many charitable events, such as the animal shelter charity event Frets for Pets which it hosts every single year. On November 22nd they’ll be hosting Beats for Breast Cancer, which is a competitive drum show with proceeds going toward breast cancer treatment and awareness.
“We believe in the cause.” Says Guido. “The least we can do is provide the venue to raise money- for the animals, for cancer, for anything. That’s our contribution- we’ve got the space, you’ve got the idea, let’s put them together.”
“Some people still view bars as establishments of ill repute.” Adds Trench. “That’s one thing we strive and work very hard for is to maintain a safe atmosphere where people can come relax. One of the biggest things we hear still to this day, 8 years now since we bought the place, is ‘it feels like we’re going to somebody’s house party.’”
The Juke Joint is located at 1911 Government street, Ocean Springs, Mississippi and cold drinks, delicious hot food, and the finest atmosphere you can find daily with live music playing often.
