Chad Hughes Baton Rouge: Unpacking His Local Business Ventures

Dr. Domenic Monahan 15 Aug 2025

Baton Rouge, Louisiana, a city known for its vibrant local scene, has certainly seen some interesting changes in its hospitality and entertainment spaces lately. It's almost as if new spots pop up, or existing ones shift around, keeping everyone on their toes. If you have been keeping an eye on the local business landscape, you might have heard a name come up quite a bit: Chad Hughes. He's a figure who has, quite literally, been shaping parts of the city's social fabric with his various projects and property acquisitions.

So, who is Chad Hughes, you know, this person who seems to be behind so many of the fresh developments downtown and in other popular areas? We're going to take a closer look at his work, his history in the city, and the many places he has a hand in. This article pulls together what we know about Chad Hughes and his contributions to the Baton Rouge business community, offering a picture of his growing presence here.

We will explore his current endeavors, from new restaurants to the movement of popular bars. It's really quite a story of local entrepreneurship and change. We will also touch on his background, just a little, to give you a fuller sense of the person involved in these happenings around Baton Rouge.

About Chad Hughes: A Local Business Figure
Chad Hughes: Personal Details and Bio Data
Key Ventures and Properties in Baton Rouge
Recent Happenings and Future Plans
Frequently Asked Questions About Chad Hughes Baton Rouge

About Chad Hughes: A Local Business Figure

Chad Hughes has, in a way, become a name often associated with the evolving dining and entertainment scene in Baton Rouge. He's a local restaurateur and business owner who has made a significant mark on the city's commercial spaces. His involvement spans across different types of establishments, from lively bars to places offering a good meal. It's pretty clear he has a vision for how these spaces can serve the community.

His work often involves taking on existing buildings or popular spots and giving them a new direction. This kind of activity can bring fresh energy to neighborhoods, you know, like the downtown area or the busy Perkins Road overpass region. People who follow local business news often hear about his latest plans or projects, which really shows his active role.

He seems to have a knack for identifying opportunities and then putting in the effort to bring new life to various locations. This commitment to the local economy and to creating appealing spaces for people to gather is, in some respects, a big part of his identity in Baton Rouge. It is, too, quite something to see how many different projects he is involved with at any given time.

Chad Hughes: Personal Details and Bio Data

Detail	Information
Full Name	Chad Hughes (also known as Chad E Hughes, Chad Edward Hughes)
Age	48 years old
Date of Birth	May 27, 1977
Current City	Baton Rouge, LA
Previous City	Detroit, MI
Residences	Baton Rouge, LA; Greenwell Springs, LA (past homes)
Voter Registration	Baton Rouge, Louisiana

Key Ventures and Properties in Baton Rouge

Chad Hughes has, over time, built up quite a portfolio of businesses and properties within Baton Rouge. His involvement touches several different areas, showing a wide range of interests in the hospitality sector. These ventures often involve partnerships with other local figures, which is, in a way, a common practice in the business community here.

He has a stake in a few well-known places. For instance, he is connected with Ivar’s Sports Bar and Grill, which is, you know, a spot many people in the area might recognize. He also has interests in Unleaded BBQ, suggesting a liking for different types of food establishments. These connections show his reach across various parts of the city's eating and drinking scene.

A significant move he made was buying the City Bar building in 2020. This acquisition really positioned him as a key player in the downtown area. It's a central location, and what he plans for it is, in some respects, quite exciting for the neighborhood. His projects often bring new options for dining and entertainment to the residents.

Downtown Developments

The downtown area of Baton Rouge has seen a lot of Chad Hughes's attention, you know, with several of his projects making headlines there. One of the most talked-about plans involves the building he bought, the City Bar structure. He is, apparently, in the process of opening a new Mexican restaurant there. This new spot will be called Rio Tacos and Tequila.

This new restaurant is planned for the ground floor of the building, right beneath City Bar. It sounds like it will add a fresh flavor to the downtown dining choices, which is, you know, always a welcome thing. It's pretty interesting to see how he is transforming that specific space, giving it a new purpose and a new appeal.

Another downtown establishment that has seen some changes due to Chad Hughes's involvement is Boudreaux & Thibodeaux’s. This bar, which is also a live music venue and an event space, is, in a way, quite a fixture in the downtown scene. It is under new ownership, and sources indicate that Chad Hughes is one of the people behind this change. The bar has plans to move across the road and about a block south on Third Street.

There is, however, some unfinished business at its current location, which is something to keep in mind. This move for Boudreaux & Thibodeaux’s suggests a desire to refresh the space and perhaps offer a better experience for patrons. It is, too, a big undertaking to relocate such a well-known venue.

Happy’s Irish Pub, a popular downtown bar, is also making a big move. This place was, apparently, facing eviction and had been the subject of quite a few noise complaints. Owner Chad Hughes said that Happy's is signing a new lease and will be moving across Third Street. It's going into the former home of Lucy’s Retired Surfers Bar & Restaurant.

Chad Hughes initially intended to reopen Happy's in this new spot around March 2024. This relocation could help address some of the issues the pub was facing, offering a fresh start in a different building. It's a good example of how businesses sometimes need to adapt to new circumstances, you know, to keep serving their customers effectively.

Perkins Road Overpass Area Projects

Beyond the downtown core, Chad Hughes has also been focusing on the Perkins Road overpass area, which is, you know, another bustling part of Baton Rouge. This area is seeing some significant developments under his guidance. Work has, in fact, begun on the old Cracker Barrel site there. This site is something Chad Hughes is planning to bring back into commerce as a barbecue restaurant.

His plans for this location involve constructing a barbecue restaurant, which is, in some respects, a popular food choice for many. The fact that work has started means that this project is moving forward, adding another dining option to that busy part of town. It's pretty interesting to see how he is repurposing older, well-known sites for new ventures.

Chad Hughes and Eric Carnegie, another local restaurateur, have also launched a new establishment in this area called Bumsteers. This casual eatery is located at 3109 Perkins Road. It's, apparently, quite a spot, offering rooftop seating, which is, you know, a feature that can really draw people in, especially when the weather is nice.

The opening of Bumsteers adds another unique dining experience to the Perkins Road overpass area. It's clear that Chad Hughes and his partners are looking to diversify the offerings in this part of the city. This kind of development can really contribute to the local economy and provide more choices for residents looking for places to eat and relax.

Other Significant Business Interests

Chad Hughes's reach in Baton Rouge extends even further, showing his deep involvement in the local business community. He has, in a way, partnered with other individuals on various projects, expanding his influence. For example, Hughes and Brad Watts are behind The River Room and Bengal Tap.

These establishments add to the variety of places he is connected with, demonstrating a broader interest in the city's social venues. It's pretty clear he is not just focusing on one type of business but rather a range of options for people to enjoy. This wide array of interests suggests a desire to contribute to different facets of the city's entertainment landscape.

His business activities also include the ownership of the City Bar building itself, as mentioned earlier. This purchase was made in 2020. It shows a strategic move into property ownership, which can support his various restaurant and bar endeavors. Having control over the physical spaces allows for more flexibility in developing new concepts and managing existing ones.

Chad Hughes has, in some respects, been a consistent presence in the Baton Rouge business world. His various projects, whether they are new openings or the relocation of established spots, tend to generate interest and discussion among local residents. It's, you know, a sign of his active role in shaping the city's commercial face.

Recent Happenings and Future Plans

Looking at the most recent information, Chad Hughes has been quite busy with several ongoing projects and new ventures in Baton Rouge. The planned opening of Rio Tacos and Tequila on the ground floor of the City Bar building is, for instance, a significant upcoming event. This new Mexican restaurant will add to the diverse culinary scene downtown.

Then there is the relocation of Happy’s Irish Pub. This move from its previous spot, which was facing some challenges like noise complaints and eviction, to the former Lucy’s Retired Surfers Bar & Restaurant building, is a big step. Owner Chad Hughes had initially planned for Happy's to reopen in March 2024. This kind of shift can, in a way, revitalize a beloved local spot and give it a fresh start.

Work has also begun on the old Cracker Barrel site in the Perkins Road overpass area. Chad Hughes is planning to bring this space back into commerce as a barbecue restaurant. This project shows a continued investment in different parts of the city, not just the downtown core. It's pretty interesting to see how he is repurposing existing structures for new business ideas.

The launch of Bumsteers by Chad Hughes and Eric Carnegie is another recent development. This casual eatery with rooftop seating on Perkins Road has, you know, already opened its doors. It adds a new option for dining and socializing in that busy corridor. These new establishments and relocations really show a dynamic period for Chad Hughes's business activities in Baton Rouge.

It is, too, worth noting that he is involved in various partnerships, like with Eric Carnegie for Bumsteers and with Brad Watts for The River Room and Bengal Tap. These collaborations suggest a collaborative approach to business development in the city. The overall picture is one of continuous activity and expansion within the Baton Rouge hospitality sector, with Chad Hughes playing a key role in these changes.

Frequently Asked Questions About Chad Hughes Baton Rouge

People often have questions about local business figures and their projects. Here are some common inquiries about Chad Hughes and his work in Baton Rouge.

What businesses does Chad Hughes own in Baton Rouge?

Chad Hughes has stakes in a number of businesses in Baton Rouge. These include Ivar’s Sports Bar and Grill and Unleaded BBQ. He also owns the City Bar building. He's involved with Bumsteers, The River Room, and Bengal Tap. He's also in the process of opening Rio Tacos and Tequila and moving Happy's Irish Pub.

Why is Happy's Irish Pub moving locations in downtown Baton Rouge?

Happy's Irish Pub was, apparently, facing eviction and had been the subject of many noise complaints at its old location. Owner Chad Hughes decided to move the pub across Third Street into the former Lucy’s Retired Surfers Bar & Restaurant building to address these issues and, you know, give the establishment a fresh start.

What new restaurants is Chad Hughes opening in Baton Rouge?

Chad Hughes is in the process of opening a new Mexican restaurant called Rio Tacos and Tequila. This will be on the ground floor of the City Bar building downtown. He is also planning to open a barbecue restaurant at the old Cracker Barrel site in the Perkins Road overpass area. Additionally, he recently launched Bumsteers with Eric Carnegie, which is a casual eatery with rooftop seating.

Learn more about local business trends on our site. You can also link to this page for more on Baton Rouge dining options.

For more official records related to business ownership in Louisiana, you could check the Louisiana Secretary of State’s office.

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