Old Quarter Acoustic Cafe

Old Quarter Acoustic Cafe is a music "Listening Room" [3] in Galveston, Texas[4] founded by Rex "Wrecks" Bell.[5] Originally a bar Old Quarter, it was opened in Houston, Texas in 1965 by Rex Bell and Cecil Slayton.[6] The Old Quarter is most well-known as the venue for Townes Van Zandt live album Live at the Old Quarter, Houston, Texas. The song Rex's Blues from the album was written about Rex Bell whom Van Zandt remarked upon during the recorded live performance.[2] The reopened Old Quarter Acoustic Cafe in Galveston, Texas features recurring "open mic" acoustic music performances.

For music album Live at the Old Quarter, Houston, Texas, see Live at the Old Quarter, Houston, Texas.
Old Quarter Acoustic Cafe
Former namesOld Quarter
Address413 20th Street
LocationGalveston, Texas[1]
OwnerJoel & Angela Mora
TypeMusic venue
Seating typeTables, Rows & Bar
Capacity85
Construction
Opened1965 (1965) (Houston)[2]
Closed1979
Reopened1996 (Galveston)
Website
oldquarteracousticcafe.com

History

Founders Rex Bell and Cecil Slayton opened a bar named Old Quarter in Houston, Texas near the corner of Congress Street and Austin Street.[6] This replaced the previous speakeasy The Yellow Cab Club.[6] After Slayton left, Dale Soffar then partnered with Bell. After Rex Bell left for Nashville, Tennessee in the 1970's, Dale Soffar was the sole owner.[2] In 1979, the Old Quarter closed its Houston location.

In 1996, Rex opened the Old Quarter Acoustic Cafe in Galveston, Texas.[2][5] Later, Rex retired and sold the Old Quarter. However, Rex is still considered the "Old Quarter's patron saint" as he continued to frequent the cafe, take part in events, and play acoustic open mic shows.[2]

References
  1. "Contact & Directions". oldquarteracousticcafe.com.
  2. Andrew Dansby (July 22, 2016). "Like Old Quarter venue he's selling, Rex Bell one of the last of past musical era". Houston Chronicle.
  3. "FAQs". oldquarteracousticcafe.com. Retrieved 2019-12-21.
  4. Kimber Fountain. "Old Quarter Acoustic Café: Only Real Music Need Apply". Island Guide Magazine.
  5. John Nova Lomax (2008-09-24). "Rex "Wrecks" Bell Is Just Playing". Houston Press.
  6. John Nova Lomax (2009-09-24). "Houston 101: Townes Van Zandt's Lost Houston". Houston Press.

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