MOBILE — During the day, Serda's Coffee Company is a popular coffee spot in the heart of downtown Mobile, but at night, it becomes a hub for local and independent music.

Serda's may be well known as a place to get a caffeine boost and get some work done on the laptop, but a duo from the local music scene has started Serda's After Dark, with the coffee shop's backroom serving as a venue for the local DIY music scene, featuring artists both locally and on tour.

The venture is run by Dylan Wyatt Durie and Emmit Logan, both of whom are frequent guests at local shows. Durie moved to the Mobile area from Waynesboro, Virginia and immediately became involved in the local scene.

While there have been shows at Serda's before, after somewhat of a hiatus, Durie was able to bring them back with the help of Logan, who works at Serda's and was encouraged by the general manager to bring bands to the establishment.

They book bands covering genres such as alternative, rock, punk, heavy metal and noise rock, with some acts coming far just to play for the local community.

"The most rewarding thing is seeing all the bands touring," Durie said. "We got people coming all the way from Texas. We got someone coming all the way from Philadelphia. I'm from Virginia, from up north, so it's cool to see people coming from closer to where I'm from also."

Serda's also stands out as the only all ages venue in the city, giving the local youth an environment they can call home outside of work and school. Sometimes even their parents go with them.

"I think it's a really good escape for them," said Jay Boyles, who operates Esoteric Booking, who has been booking shows in the area since 2009. "Some kids need an outlet. I was kind of the same way too when I was a kid. I found my outlet going to shows and I started going to shows when I was 16 or 17, so I think it's a good outlet for some of these kids instead of going out and getting in trouble."

Esoteric Booking hosted the first show under Serda's After Dark banner, which was a local band showcase that took place on Saturday, March 28, with plenty of more shows planned for the near future.

"Come be yourself," Durie said. "Get a coffee, do your work right before the show starts, get ready and come talk to the bands. Come meet people. This is for everybody."