Beloved Local Restaurant Set to Open in Future Downtown Lafayette Hotel

During Downtown Lafayette’s annual Rooftop Crawfish Boil, a major local development was confirmed: Bayou Teche Brewing is coming to the ground floor of the future Hotel Lafayette, set to flip the former Don’s Seafood site into an 83-room boutique destination at 301 E. Vermilion Street.

The announcement, as first reported by Developing Lafayette and The Advocate’s Adam Daigle, marks a milestone for both the hotel project and the beloved Acadiana-based brewery.

The upcoming 4,000–4,500 square foot space will offer much more than your average brewery taproom. Guests can expect:

• On-site beer production
• Cajun Saucer’s wood-fired pizzas
• Signature tiki cocktails
• Seasonal poolside bar
• In-room dining service for hotel guests
• Preferred catering for hotel events

Bayou Teche, founded in 2009 in Arnaudville, has become known for crafting beers that reflect South Louisiana’s food and culture. With this new venture, the brewery will bring its immersive “Bayou Tiki” experience to downtown Lafayette, including a pop-up preview during Festival International 2025.

"This partnership gives our guests a chance to jump right into the Acadiana experience," said Joseph Thrash of The Thrash Group, one of the project’s partners. Co-owner Stephanie Knott added, "We can’t wait for the opportunity to be part of the downtown Lafayette community."

Construction on Hotel Lafayette is slated to begin this year, with a projected opening in mid-2026. The $19 million project, developed by Sans Souci Properties in partnership with The Thrash Group and Tandem Hospitality Group, will also include 2,500 square feet of event space.

The announcement also addresses a long-standing need in the downtown area. Rock ‘n’ Bowl owner Johnny Blancher noted that the lack of walkable hotel accommodations has stifled growth in the local music scene. “That’s going to change,” he said. “We hope to help fill [the hotel] up.”

With Bayou Teche Brewing on tap, Hotel Lafayette is already shaping up to be an exciting landmark for Downtown Lafayette.