The holidays mean different things to different people — for some, they’re steeped in family tradition; for others, they’re a chance to redefine what celebration looks like. At Dabney & Co., we embrace the kind of holiday spirit that’s woven together with melody, memory, and the joy of togetherness — especially with the people we choose to call family.

Where Soul Meets Season

When you walk into Dabney & Co. during the holiday season, the ambiance is more than festive — it’s soulful. Think dim lights flickering like candle flames, the hum of conversation blending with the velvet tones of vintage jazz, and a deep groove in every carefully curated playlist. You might hear Donny Hathaway’s This Christmas sliding into Aretha’s Silent Night, or a gospel-tinged cover that gives you chills in all the right ways.

These are the sounds that stir memory. The music that turns a gathering into something sacred. It’s no coincidence — every song is handpicked to carry emotion, nostalgia, and a little bit of magic.

Redefining the Holiday Table: Chosen Family Matters

Not everyone has the same picture-perfect holiday narrative. And that’s okay. At Dabney & Co., we know that the people who show up for you — the ones who sing along to your favorite tracks, raise a glass when you need it most, and dance beside you no matter how long the night — they are your family.

Chosen family is at the heart of our gatherings. Our guests bring their stories, their joy, and their own rhythms to the table. Whether you’re reuniting with lifelong friends or forging new bonds over a shared love of Marvin Gaye, Nina Simone, or Etta James, it’s all about that soulful connection.

Music as Memory: The Soundtrack of Belonging

Music has the uncanny ability to wrap us in memory. One note can take you back to your grandmother’s kitchen, to the record player spinning in your parents’ living room, or to a past holiday when life felt just a little lighter.

We lean into that here. We believe in playlists that span generations and genres — from gospel roots to Motown grooves — because those songs hold the emotional weight of decades. And when they play in a room full of good people, it becomes more than background music; it becomes the heartbeat of the evening.

"Music is the great uniter. An incredible force. Something that people who differ on everything and anything else can have in common." — Sarah Dessen

Gatherings That Feel Like Home

The true magic of the season at Dabney & Co. isn’t just in the music or the drinks — though both are exceptional — it’s in the feeling of home. There’s an ease that settles in when you’re surrounded by people who share your vibe. When every table feels like it was meant for you. When every toast, every laugh, every shared moment becomes part of your holiday story.

Whether you’re planning a holiday gathering or just looking for a space to feel connected during the colder months, Dabney & Co. is the kind of place where soulful traditions are made — and remade.

Create Your Own Holiday Soundtrack

Want to recreate the feeling of a Dabney holiday gathering at home? Here are a few tips:

• Build a soulful playlist: Mix classics with contemporary covers. Include legends like Otis Redding, Mahalia Jackson, and Stevie Wonder, then add in modern artists who channel that same spirit.

• Set the mood: Dim the lights, light a few candles, and let music guide the room’s energy.

• Make room for everyone: Whether it’s two people or twenty, open your space and your heart. The holidays are sweeter when they’re shared.

• Toast to the moment: Whether with a signature cocktail or a warm cup of cider, take a moment to raise a glass and honor the journey — yours and those around you.

Celebrate with Us

At Dabney & Co., we don’t just host holiday events — we create experiences that feel like belonging. Soulful, celebratory, and wrapped in the warmth of good music and good people, our gatherings are a tribute to the power of community.

So whether you’re dancing with lifelong friends or meeting your chosen family for the first time, you’re welcome here.