barrelhouse

American  

[bar-uhl-hous] / ˈbær əlˌhaʊs /

noun

plural

barrelhouses

1. a cheap saloon, especially one in New Orleans in the early part of the 20th century: so called from the racks of liquor barrels originally placed along the walls.

2. a vigorous style of jazz originating in the barrelhouses of New Orleans in the early part of the 20th century.

---

barrelhouse British  

/ ˈbærəlˌhaʊs /

noun

1. a cheap and disreputable drinking establishment

2. 1. a vigorous and unpolished style of jazz for piano, originating in the barrelhouses of New Orleans

   2. ( as modifier )

      barrelhouse blues

---

Etymology

Origin of barrelhouse

An Americanism dating back to 1880–85; barrel + house

Example Sentences

A judge last week ruled that one barrelhouse currently under construction had not been properly approved and that its building permit would have to be rescinded until Jack Daniel’s obtained the necessary permits.

From New York Times

“We’re always busy, baby, not this time,” Olsen sings over rippling barrelhouse piano in “Big Time,” “Lay in the tall grass, talking with your eyes.”

From Los Angeles Times

Across the record, Batiste also raps, stomps like a preacher and wails like a barrelhouse bluesman.

From Los Angeles Times

Taking its title from a saying attributed to Martin Luther, the concerto deconstructs and reassembles impulses from funk, gospel and barrelhouse.

From Seattle Times

In “Devil,” the starting point is the funk of rollicking barrelhouse piano, which in an informal series of variations gets cut up, rhythmically and harmonically diffracted.

From Los Angeles Times