It’s finally happening. The nearly 10 years in the making reboot of storied Huntsville, Alabama music bar Tip Top Café has announced its first shows.
During the mid ‘80s through early ‘90s, the divey tiny Tip Top hosted then baby bands like Widespread Panic, Goo Goo Dolls and 311. The Black Crowes too, back when they were still called Mr. Crowe’s Garden.
The first shows announced on Tip Top’s new website include local rockers King’s Haze on November 29 and Them Damn Dogs on December 6.
The Ladies Of.., a band featuring Huntsville guitarist/songwriter Jim Troglen that recently performed with Marilyn Manson, is at Tip Top on Dec. 13, with the solo band of Huntsville legend Dave Anderson, of Brother Cane and Atlanta Rhythm Section fame, opening.
RELATED: Tip Top Cafe owner talks memorable shows, legendary doorman
The initially released Tip Top schedule also includes a November 27 blues jam hosted by keyboardist and singer Otis Walker.
Tip Top’s new operators are John Chamness and Evan Billiter. Chamness and Billiter are the founders of St. Stephens Music Hall, the Campus No. 805 venue that opened in 2024.
In addition to live music, the new Tip Top will include a restaurant component, Veloce Pizza. Trevar Akins, of popular Huntsville based Beastie Boys tribute band Beastie Goys, steers Veloce Pizza. Akins is also a partner in Tip Top’s reboot.
RELATED: 5 bands who were ‘Tip Top Café famous’ in Huntsville back in the day
During Tip Top’s heyday, it booked underground heroes, like Dead Milkmen, The Woggles, Flat Duo Jets, Fishbone, Fetchin’ Bones and Quadrajets. Roots music icons, like Bo Diddley, The Iguanas and Buckwheat Zydeco, too.
There was even the occasional celebrity sighting, like when actor River Phoenix’s band played Tip Top. Or that time members of Cheap Trick stopped in to shoot some pool before their arena concert. In addition to all the hot live music there, Tip Top’s infamous doorman Lanny Taylor was central to the bar’s legend.
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