The Ruins of Rome and the surrounding area of Italy are second only to the United States in the number of movies that are filmed there on location. Nearly 7 million people around the world travel to Rome each year just to see the Ruins. But if you live in Lafayette, La., you don’t have to go that far to travel or wait until your next action-packed movie is filmed there to get a feel for the ancient city.
Located in Parc Lafayette, in the heart of River Ranch, the newest entertainment venue will at least give you the feel of being in Rome. The Ruins, as it is aptly called, opened for business during the height of COVID in 2021, moving into the spot that was once occupied by The Grouse Room.
According to the current venue manager Ashley Chacherie, “The owners always had it set in their minds that they wanted to give their entertainment facility that Roman Ruins vibe.” Without a doubt, the Roman elements are there from marble accents to the small replicas of the 16 monolithic columns that were constructed for the Pantheon in Rome. Bronze European bust sculptures also adorn various locations within the club, along with full wall tapestries that cost hundreds to thousands of dollars. Gone are the traditional high table and chairs look, now replaced by low vintage seating throughout so that customers can enjoy plates of yummy concoctions or have a relaxing place to sit and order some of the specialty drinks in the upscale lounge.
The menu and full bar include such items like Crawfish Pasta, Ginger Chicken Wrap, Fried Green Beans, Piná Colada Pork Ribs, Wagyu Sliders, Boudin Balls, and Apple Pie Egg Rolls, just to name a few. The one-page menu of food is definitely outweighed by the seven-page spirits list that can be found on their Facebook page and on their website.
Chacherie says, “While we have a great selection of craft drinks, it seems that the customers’ delights are our Old-Fashioneds. On a busy night, I always get a little anxious that we will run out of the needed ice cubes for our fans’ favorite!”
If that fails however, the other, go-to specials include Athena’s Envy (made with Absolute Vanilla), Hades Paloma (made with Ghost Tequila), Baccus Sangria (made with Silver Gate Chardonnay), and Cocktail À La Louisiana (made with Heaven’s Door Rye). And there are plenty more, plus top shelf liquor for drinks of your choice.
The performance stage is set with its own quality sound and lighting system. Nearly 280 people can fit into the club nicely, and while the venue was slow to develop a following mid-COVID, they have finally hit their stride with entertainment between Wednesday and Saturday nights. Wednesdays are reserved for Trivia Nights. Thursdays are hosted by Abi Clair and called “Clairaoke” nights with all brave singers receiving complimentary shots for their participation.
Fridays are reserved for the best in live talent. Saturday nights feature DJ Mike Jamez who also invites several regular DJs to spin. “We always say come to The Ruins to get ruined,” states Chacherie.
At the very least, you’ll be taken on a journey that evokes the grandeur of Rome. It’s just a little touch of Rome in for sure, but it certainly makes the entertainment of the night a little unique.