Black Music’s Influence on American Cocktail Culture

There’s something magical about the way a good song pairs with a well-crafted drink. A smoky blues riff, a velvet-toned jazz vocal, a gospel harmony rising from the speakers—it all brings a certain richness to a room, the kind that lingers in the air like the scent of fresh citrus zest or a smooth pour of bourbon. And when we look closely, it becomes clear: Black music didn’t just set the soundtrack for American nightlife—it built the stage, designed the vibe, and taught us how to feel the moment.

The Speakeasy Soundtrack

During Prohibition, speakeasies weren’t just places to sneak a drink—they were underground sanctuaries of sound. Black musicians were at the heart of this cultural rebellion, bringing jazz and blues to intimate, candlelit rooms where cocktails became art. The syncopated rhythms of Duke Ellington or Bessie Smith didn’t just accompany the clink of ice—they made the drink an experience.

In cities like Chicago, New York, and even right here in Detroit, Black music transformed hidden lounges into hubs of creativity and social transformation. Bartenders became artists. Drinks became mood setters. And the music? It was the soul guiding it all.

Vibes that Stir the Glass

When we talk about cocktail culture, we’re talking about more than ingredients—we’re talking about ambiance, about feeling. Black music laid the emotional groundwork for that ambiance. Soul and R&B brought warmth and romance. Gospel brought hope and resilience. Funk and hip-hop brought energy and edge.

At Dabney & Co., we honor this legacy every evening. Our playlists aren’t just background noise—they’re curated tributes. A Marvin Gaye track might accompany a smoky mezcal old fashioned, drawing you into a conversation you didn’t expect to have. A Mahalia Jackson gospel groove might turn a quiet sip into a moment of deep reflection. The music shapes the tempo of the night, just like it always has.

Sounds That Built Community

Black music has always been about more than entertainment—it’s been a powerful force of connection. Just like a good cocktail, it brings people together. In juke joints, supper clubs, and neighborhood bars, the blend of music and drink created spaces where stories were shared, memories were made, and culture was passed on.

These traditions still echo in modern cocktail lounges. A jazz trio playing Coltrane, a DJ spinning soul classics, a gospel brunch that warms both heart and belly—they’re not just nods to the past, they’re bridges to something timeless.

At Dabney & Co., the warmth of that tradition pours through every corner—from the vintage records that inspire our playlists to the stories behind every cocktail name. It’s not about nostalgia—it’s about honoring the ongoing rhythm of Black creativity.

Mixing More Than Drinks

There’s a quote by Miles Davis: “It’s not the notes you play, it’s the notes you don’t play.” The same can be said for cocktails—and culture. The space between ingredients, the silence between sips, the mood in a room—those subtle in-betweens are where the magic happens. And more often than not, Black music has been the unseen hand guiding that magic.

Whether it’s the effortless cool of Ella Fitzgerald, the revolutionary fire of Nina Simone, or the raw truth of Kendrick Lamar, Black artists have brought layers of depth to American nightlife—infusing bars and lounges with emotion, rhythm, and spirit. And in doing so, they’ve transformed the cocktail experience into something richer, more meaningful, more human.

Sip the Legacy

At Dabney & Co., every evening is a celebration of this intersection—where music meets memory, and culture meets craft. The influence of Black music isn’t just heard in our lounge—it’s felt in the conversations, the clinking glasses, the laughter between verses.

Come for the cocktails, stay for the story. Let the music guide you.