Hal & Mal's | Our Story
A Jackson institution since 1985
Brothers Hal and Malcolm White opened Hal & Mal's at 200 Commerce Street in 1985 with a performance by Albert King — and downtown Jackson hasn't been the same since.
How it started
Hal & Mal's was born from two different obsessions: Hal's love of feeding people and Malcolm's gift for putting great music in front of a crowd. That first show set the tone for everything that followed.
A soup master and a music wunderkind
Robert St. John called it plainly: Hal was a "great soup master" and Malcolm a "music promoter wunderkind." That combination earned a Blues Foundation Keeping the Blues Alive Award and a spot on the Mississippi Blues Trail.
New owners, same spirit
Mary Sanders and Damien Cavicchi took the reins with deep respect for what the White brothers built — and a clear vision for what comes next. Chef Damien brings a passion for storytelling through food, and the kitchen has never been more alive.
The spaces
Exposed brick, aged wood floors, two stages, and two outdoor areas — Hal & Mal's can host almost anything, from an intimate dinner to a 350-person reception.
Downtown Jackson's living room
Jazz on Tuesdays, national touring acts, comedy, trivia, community events — Hal & Mal's is where Jackson gathers. Has been for forty years. Pull up a chair.