Abby's Desert Lounge

It's Where We Drink

by Will Dean

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Photos on the wall of boxing matches, Negro League games and Eagles players brand University City's Abby's Desert Lounge as a sports bar, but there's more going on inside than you might think. On Thursdays, most notably, the bar hosts jazz singer Miss Shirley Lites and Company, which includes a brass section, a drummer and a keyboardist. Lites takes her inspiration from artists like Billy Paul, but her singing style is more akin to Billie Holiday or Nina Simone.

Co-owner Vicki Williams wanted the bar to have a little something for everyone; her love of jazz was reason and motivation enough to bring in the sultry singer.

The jazz-and-sports pairing may seem odd, but it makes sense for this community-oriented joint. "We try to cater to everyone," says Williams. "There's a DJ some nights that plays oldies and soul music." And for every big holiday or sports event, like that football thingie that happened on Feb. 4, the bar hosts a party with free food cooked by regulars. (Barbecue ribs and beer-can chicken are a few of their favorite recipes.)

Generous as Williams is, though, there's one thing she bans at the Desert: No hip-hop on the jukebox. "I don't like that stuff," she says, then laughs as a soul cut plays over the speakers. "If the young crowd wants it, they can go up the street."