The Sound Bar: A family-owned music venue pursues a dream in Tallahassee
We all have our secret aspirations — most such dreams go poof by morning or with a stiff cup of coffee.
But other folks, with aspirational goals, have taken matters into their own hands. Such is the case with Buddy Levins, his wife, Linda, and their daughter and her husband, Bianca and Thomas Herndon.
What they have dreamed — and labored for and put their own money on the line for — is the actualizing of Levins’ dream to own a bar, a place where live music, blues and karaoke is heard. It is all about the music, it is a place for the music community (performers and music lovers alike) and it's 100% a labor of love, Bianca Herndon said.
With its grand opening on Nov. 18, 2023, The Sound Bar was born.
Located on a leafy section of West Tharpe Street, the 2200 sq. ft. concrete building seemed the perfect size and fit for an intimate, but roomy venue where folks could eat and drink and dance and sing, Herndon said. “We’ve kept prices reasonable and the entertainment is amazing!”
Everything you see here is “bespoke.” That is handmade or handcrafted by the Levins and the Herndons with love.
Weekend entertainment: Looking for fun events? Top 5 things to do around Tallahassee
“From the 13x13 foot stage, the sound panels, the bar, and the vintage décor on the walls, we’ve done it all,” Herndon said. She is talking about the design and interior layout of a large foyer, an area she calls, “The Pick,” and the main room where wide round tables, comfortable chairs surround the often-hazy purple-lit dance floor and stage.
An extra bonus is Levins’ collection of 200 CDs and vinyl records where with a vintage record player, patrons can put on headphones or plug in their earbuds and spin a disc to listen to the way the golden oldies were meant to be heard.
“We wanted the Sound Bar to have the feel of those long-gone blues dive bars that my dad remembers,” Herndon said.
And it is a family affair. “My mom, Linda, does the cooking,” says Herndon. The bar menu is expansive: chicken quesadillas; brisket tacos; chicken salad; grilled cheese and tomato soup, and homemade Earl Grey ice cream. The wine and beer can be had for $4.
Bianca Herndon, along with her whole family, manages and promotes the club, and also sells “music merch” in the form of T-shirts, earrings — and “all you can drink for $5” coffee throughout the evening. Thomas Herndon is often found behind the bar, serving customers.
Then there is Buddy Levins, the 70-year-old, once-retired Department of Agriculture employee, who has done so much of the labor, walks the premises perimeter to make sure guests had a great time, and who mounts the stage on Tuesdays to belt out some karaoke of his own — and feel the vibe.
Herndon says that though the blues is a big part of the entertainment offered at the Sound Bar, musicians from “the FSU School of Music, Deja Blu, Jett City Band, Kent Burnside, are among others lined up. We’re booked all the way through June with some amazing acts.”
And that’s not all, folks.
“Dad wants to expand what we’re doing here to include a real Blues Festival,” Herndon said.
Already the venue is planning a “Sounds of the Blues” event on April 6, “from 12 until 12,” which will include 10 bands, including Blues Meets Girl, Bluesdog & the Howlers, Swingin' Harpoon, and Brett Wellman & the Stone Cold Blues Band.
Bigger aspirations to follow would be a city-wide blues mega-party.
It’s nice to have aspirations, but it’s truly inspirational when you see people living their dream.
If you go
What: The Sound Bar
When: Opens every day at 4 p.m.
Where: 1105 West Tharpe St.
Details: Visit thesoundbartallahassee.com; follow on Facebook and Instagram; 850-320-2859
Contact Marina Brown at mcdb100@comcast.net
This article originally appeared on Tallahassee Democrat: Tallahassee music venue puts dream into action with The Sound Bar
