Louise's Piano Bar & Jazz Club

Hollywood Producer Opens Jackson's Newest Piano Bar

When Tom Rice decided to return to Jackson, he wasn't looking for a break from Hollywood—he was searching for his next creative challenge. The Jackson-born film producer spent nearly three decades in California working on projects like "Mississippi Grind" and "Begin Again," but at 51, he felt drawn back to his Mississippi roots with a bold vision while maintaining his production career.

That vision becomes reality November 13 when Louise's Piano Bar welcomes its first guests in Fondren. The intimate venue represents Rice's meticulous attention to period authenticity, built from his passion for 1930s design honed through years of historic home restoration on the West Coast. Every element tells a story: carefully restored paintings and prints from the jazz age adorn the walls, while a century-old Steinway awaits its first notes beneath handcrafted brass lighting.

Creating an Authentic Art Deco Experience in Jackson

Rice's goal extends beyond aesthetic appeal. "I want people to walk in here and feel like they are not in Jackson anymore, that they have stepped back in time into a different place," he explained to the Clarion-Ledger.

Jazz, Craft Cocktails, and Shareable Plates

The experience unfolds Thursday through Monday evenings with vintage jazz providing ambiance rather than performance. Guests can savor customizable boards featuring artisan cheeses, cured meats, and olives, or try Roman-style pizzas and prime rib sliders paired with potato chips fried in beef tallow. Bartender Ryan Foster crafts period-appropriate cocktails alongside an enviable bourbon collection.

A Gathering Place for All of Jackson

Rice envisions Louise's as a welcoming space transcending boundaries. "I am the host of the party that everyone is invited to," he said, describing a gathering place where conversation flows and differences fade.