Southport Hall

General information

Southport is a few blocks located in Old Jefferson bounded roughly by Jefferson Highway on the north, the Mississippi River on the south, the Orleans-Jefferson parish line on the east and Dakin Street on the west.

Southport Hall originally opened for business in the early 1900’s, operating primarily as an illegal casino founded by Joe Hyland. A handful of clubs like Southport operated in “The Free State” of Jefferson during this time. Over a century later, Southport Hall is the only speak easy still standing.

Today, the club still has the original counting room, replete with a solid bronze door and a cement wall. You can also check out an antique keno board that still resides on a back wall, tucked innocently behind a picture where, in the old days, it was quickly hidden if authorities raided the place.