Old Quarter Acoustic Cafe

Old Quarter Acoustic Cafe is a music "Listening Room" [4] in Galveston, Texas[5] founded by Rex "Wrecks" Bell.[6] Originally a bar Old Quarter, it was opened in Houston, Texas in 1965 by Rex Bell and Cecil Slayton.[7] 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.[3] 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]
Coordinates29°18′20.8″N 94°47′25.2″W
OwnerJoel & Angela Mora[2]
TypeMusic venue
Seating typeTables, Rows & Bar
Capacity85
Construction
Opened1965 (1965) (Houston)[3]
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.[7] This replaced the previous speakeasy The Yellow Cab Club.[7] After Slayton left, Dale Soffar then partnered with Bell.[8] After Rex Bell left for Nashville, Tennessee in the 1970's, Dale Soffar was the sole owner.[3] In 1979, the Old Quarter closed its Houston location.

In 1996, Rex opened the Old Quarter Acoustic Cafe in Galveston, Texas in the Strand Historic District.[3][6][2] In 2016, Rex retired due to health problems. He sold the Old Quarter Acoustic Cafe to a past stage musician and patron, Joel Mora, and his wife Angela Mora.[2] Rex is still considered the "Old Quarter's patron saint" as he continues to frequent the cafe, take part in events, and play acoustic open mic shows.[3][2]

References
  1. "Contact & Directions". oldquarteracousticcafe.com. OLD QUARTER ACOUSTIC CAFE. Archived from the original on 22 December 2019.
  2. Chris Gray (July 31, 2020). "'It's pretty bleak right now': Galveston's historic Old Quarter venue on verge of becoming history". Houston Chronicle: Preview.
  3. Andrew Dansby (July 22, 2016). "Like Old Quarter venue he's selling, Rex Bell one of the last of past musical era". Houston Chronicle. Archived from the original on 22 December 2019.
  4. "FAQs". oldquarteracousticcafe.com. OLD QUARTER ACOUSTIC CAFE. Archived from the original on 2022-02-14. Retrieved 2019-12-21.
  5. Kimber Fountain. "Old Quarter Acoustic Café: Only Real Music Need Apply". Island Guide Magazine.
  6. John Nova Lomax (2008-09-24). "Rex "Wrecks" Bell Is Just Playing". Houston Press. Archived from the original on 22 December 2019.
  7. John Nova Lomax (2009-09-24). "Houston 101: Townes Van Zandt's Lost Houston". Houston Press. Archived from the original on 21 December 2019.
  8. "IN LOVING MEMORY". oldquarteracousticcafe.com. OLD QUARTER ACOUSTIC CAFE.
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