Issue link: http://maconmagazine.uberflip.com/i/1233243
ON A COLD WINTER'S NIGHT, I enjoyed the Main Street Christmas Light Extravaganza. Whilst walking at the end of Poplar Street, I came upon JBA Macon Venue and Bar. Hearing blues, I walked in and sat at the bar. JBA Macon's offerings are straight forward – live music, beer, wine, non-alcoholic sodas and whisky, or the Americanized spelling, whiskey. JBA stands for Jazz, Blues, Americana music. You can enter JBA from Poplar Street or Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard. This space was previously the home of La Bella Morelia Mexican restaurant, which relocated to 524 Mulberry St. La Bella's kitchen was removed to create space for JBA Macon's bar. The vibe is warm, welcoming and comfortable. When I visited, the music was open stage with people taking turns playing blues. I enjoyed a proper Scotch whisky (only two ice cubes in the glass for water, please) from their selection of three. The whiskey selections are limited, but show a keen eye in choosing pleasing American and Scotch options. I may have missed any Irish, as the bartender had to use a stepladder to reach our selection. Musically, there is a lot going on here. JBA Macon's musical offerings are varied and change regularly. For example, in January they teamed up with Bragg Jam for a battle of the bands style tournament. Going forward, each Wednesday is for → Winston Churchill was key in steering us to victory in World War II. He also was renowned for his prodigious consumption of alcoholic beverages. In that spirit, this column is dedicated to his memory. MYSTERY DRINKER Jazz, Blues, Americana ... and whiskey JBA MACON 499 Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd. DJs and great music. Check their Facebook page for the latest schedule. Being within a block of the newly renovated Mercer Music at Capricorn facility, JBA Macon has the perfect location to become a vibrant part of Macon's growing music scene. JBA is a no-fuss place for you to enjoy music with a beverage. For me, its simplicity is part of the appeal: You know what to expect and are delighted by the range of musical offerings. They don't serve food, so plan to eat before or after your visit. Cheers, Winston Exceptional Good Fair Just OK RATING SCALE 9 0 M ACO N M AG A Z I N E.CO M | F E B R U A R Y / M A R C H 2 0 2 0