February 23, 2024
Spring has sprung in New Orleans, and it’s officially Festival season with many celebratory holidays. The weather is sublime and it’s the perfect time to get out and enjoy sipping a cocktail or two as spring celebrations get underway.
The French Quarter actually has a lot of Irish blood running through it. Like many old port cities along the East Coast, we took in a large number of Irish in the 19th century. The Celtic brogue was heard as commonly on the streets here as the Creoles’ Francophone dialect. Both mother tongues have assimilated into the modern New Orleans “Yat” accent, but one contribution of the Irish to French Quarter culture is significant today, and that contribution would be the pub. Irish pubs serve as local watering holes for friends in the French Quarter. These pubs overflow with camaraderie and good cheer, places for locals to unwind after work and for visitors to relax and observe New Orleanians in their natural element.
On March 17, the Downtown Irish Club parades at 6 p.m. from Washington Park on Frenchmen Street. It makes several liquid refreshment stops as the marchers and bands meander down Decatur Street in a sea of green. Jameson Irish Whiskey will flow as the kilted revelers make their way to Canal Street. On this day, we are all Irish!
Saunter down to our most iconic Irish bar, Pat O’Brien’s. Pat ran a speakeasy in the 600 block of St. Peter Street until the repeal of Prohibition. When he officially opened the bar on December 3, 1933, he developed a friendship with Charlie Cantrell. After years of fun and poker games, the two men purchased the building that is now home to Pat O’Brien’s Bar at 718 St Peter St. This historical building was built in 1791 as a private home and later became the first Spanish Theatre in the United States. It was converted back to a private residence until 1942, when O’Brien and Cantrell purchased the spacious place to become home to one of the most iconic nightclubs in the United States. The old bar had an upright piano to entertain, but the new and current bar allowed them to go bigger and better with two baby grand pianos. Dueling piano entertainment was born!
As you walk through the carriageway past the piano bar and the main bar, follow the slate path to Pat O’Brien’s most popular bar, the Patio Bar. The appeal of this famous Patio is evident with its open air to the New Orleans sky with glass and iron tables set among lush foliage. It exudes the feeling of a casual party held in a neighbor’s backyard. The 4,000 square-foot patio imparts southern living at its best. At the center stands Pat O’Brien’s landmark flaming fountain. Designed to resemble a champagne glass, the copper fountain hosts a brilliant flame amid streams of water. The rush of the water serves as gentle background music to the sounds of laughter and chatter of customers, while the fire provides a warm glow to light the night sky. The Patio’s atmosphere exudes their motto, “Have Fun!”
Pat O’Brien’s Fuzzy Leprechaun is a favorite for St Patrick's Day celebrations. It is a vodka-based cocktail with fruity additions like peach schnapps, orange juice, pineapple juice and Blue Curacao. Talk about refreshing! The Rainbow has been a local favorite for decades. It is a delightful mixture of vodka, grenadine, Collins mix, and Blue Curacao garnished with an orange slice and a maraschino. Of course, the Hurricane is known all over the world. It was invented by Pat O’Brien in 1939 and is a combination of blended dark rum and Pat O’Brien's passion fruity top-secret recipe Hurricane mix, also garnished with an orange slice and a maraschino cherry. Sitting in the courtyard soaking up the gorgeous sunshine while sipping these colorful cocktails is simply blissful.
The Boondock Saint is a local watering hole tucked into a brick hideaway between Royal and Bourbon streets at 731 St Peter St. across from Preservation Hall. This intimate Irish pub was named after a cult movie that runs on loop on the TV inside the bar. There’s a great jukebox too! The famously friendly bartenders serve Guinness and local beer on tap, as well as Irish car bombs and cocktails. The prices are very reasonable. This is your perfect getaway from the 24/7 party happening just steps away on Bourbon Street. It’s like the “Cheers” of the French Quarter and soon everyone will know your name! Grab an Irish Coffee or a Guinness Stout with a shot of Jameson Irish Whiskey and settle in with the locals.
On a quiet street just a ten-minute walk from the French Quarter lies a hidden gem. Celebrate Cinco de Mayo any day at Espíritu, a celebration of the food, drinks, history and culture of Mexico. Wine Enthusiast proclaims it to be one of the top Mezcal bars in America. It’s also the oldest in New Orleans and boasts a completely gluten-free menu. It was created from a desire to share their passion for Mexican agave spirits and Mexican cuisine. Only the freshest local ingredients are used for their dishes and the focus is on environmental sustainability when sourcing mezcal and tequila. They warmly invite you to appreciate the history and culture of Mexico through the enjoyment of food and drink at 520 Capdeville St.
Dining here seems best suited to drinking and snacking from a selection of appetizers, small plates and tacos. The Crawfish Queso dip is velvety and addictive and looks to the Gulf South as much as south of the border. The Veraduras pickled veggie plate is amazing! Sample the vegetarian Huitacoche quesadillas made with Mexican corn truffles, similar to mushrooms. It’s convenient to sample items at Espíritu’s weekday happy hours and occasional mezcal tastings. The Happy Hour homemade tacos and chips and three salsas are wonderfully luscious.
They say tequila is to wake the living and mezcal is to wake the dead. Their Espíritu is the best margarita in town. It mixes fresh lime, Triple Sec, and El Buho Mezcal. Mezcal is an acquired taste, but a taste worth acquiring! Paris, TX is an upscale Paloma with grapefruit, lemon, Peychaud’s, tequila, and soda. Baja Bruja is a house-made basil cordial with Damiana liqueur, Mezcal, and fresh lemon juice.
For Mother’s Day or any day when you want to treat yourself or someone special, consider Tableau by Dickie Brennan and Company. It’s in the heart of the French Quarter on Jackson Square attached to the historic Le Petit Theatre. This romantic building at 616 St Peter St. was also the elegant home of the Spanish Governor of Louisiana from 1797 until 1799. Tableau’s dishes highlight local ingredients and reflect a wide variety of flavors and European influences combined with a modern approach. Tableau was voted #1 best balcony for dining and drinking in New Orleans! It boasts quite a view!
Tableau offers a variety of settings for cocktails and bites. One can imbibe in the courtyard to take in a beautiful spring afternoon, or you can retreat to the Drawing Room Lounge or their balcony overlooking Jackson Square. Happy Hour is weekdays from 2 p.m. until 6 p.m., featuring $7 cocktails and house wines.
Try the Old Hickory cocktail comprised of Sazerac Rye, Hoodoo chicory liqueur, simple syrup, and finished with smoke in a glass bottle. It is really something special and is my husband’s favorite. My personal favorite is the Just as Well cocktail composed of Buffalo Trace bourbon, fresh lemon juice, house-made rosemary syrup and El Guapo Polynesian Kiss bitters. The garnish is a slightly singed rosemary sprig.
Another special place to celebrate is Brennan's, an iconic French Quarter restaurant located at 417 Royal St. Their menu marries classic Creole traditions with inspired, contemporary influences. Breakfast at Brennan’s is a spirited, indulgent way to begin your day! Bubbles at Brennan's Happy Hour features discounted bottles of premium Champagne. If you have a sweet tooth, Flaming Bananas Foster is a timeless New Orleans tradition. Imbibe in their famously lush courtyard or their spectacular wine cellar.
The rooster rules the roost at The Roost Bar, a veritable aviary perched in an airy, open room overlooking the lush courtyard. Treat yourself to traditional New Orleans cocktails modernized, courtesy of world-renowned bar staff. Of course, there's always reason to celebrate by popping bubbly bottles and sipping fizzy Champagne cocktails at any hour of the day. On weekdays, they pour delicious select bubbles from both top Champagne vintners and premiere sparkling wine houses in the courtyard Monday through Thursday from 2–6 p.m. and on Fridays from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Bites include the Roost Burger, hand-cut fries, Lobster meat pies, and cheese and fruit boards.
In the 1950s, Owen Brennan invented a heartier riff on the classic Bloody Mary and the Bloody Bull was born. House-made beef broth made from beef bones was added to tomato juice to bring a rich and savory element to the cocktail, creating a more robust flavor. He threw in Worcestershire sauce, hot sauce, spices, and veggie garnishes to complete the flavor one would only expect of a true New Orleans drink. Today’s health craze of sipping bone broths can look at this classic meaty cocktail as a friend in a glass with benefits! For a lighter cocktail, try their Ponchatoula Strawberry Festival, a compelling combination of Hendrick’s Gin, strawberry oleo, lemon, lavender bitters, and egg white.
Wherever you land this spring, raise a glass and toast the good life we live here … Here’s to Dame Fortune; may she smile upon you. May you never meet her daughter, Miss Fortune. Cheers!
The French Quarter actually has a lot of Irish blood running through it. Like many old port cities along the East Coast, we took in a large number of Irish in the 19th century. The Celtic brogue was heard as commonly on the streets here as the Creoles’ Francophone dialect. Both mother tongues have assimilated into the modern New Orleans “Yat” accent, but one contribution of the Irish to French Quarter culture is significant today, and that contribution would be the pub. Irish pubs serve as local watering holes for friends in the French Quarter. These pubs overflow with camaraderie and good cheer, places for locals to unwind after work and for visitors to relax and observe New Orleanians in their natural element.
On March 17, the Downtown Irish Club parades at 6 p.m. from Washington Park on Frenchmen Street. It makes several liquid refreshment stops as the marchers and bands meander down Decatur Street in a sea of green. Jameson Irish Whiskey will flow as the kilted revelers make their way to Canal Street. On this day, we are all Irish!
Saunter down to our most iconic Irish bar, Pat O’Brien’s. Pat ran a speakeasy in the 600 block of St. Peter Street until the repeal of Prohibition. When he officially opened the bar on December 3, 1933, he developed a friendship with Charlie Cantrell. After years of fun and poker games, the two men purchased the building that is now home to Pat O’Brien’s Bar at 718 St Peter St. This historical building was built in 1791 as a private home and later became the first Spanish Theatre in the United States. It was converted back to a private residence until 1942, when O’Brien and Cantrell purchased the spacious place to become home to one of the most iconic nightclubs in the United States. The old bar had an upright piano to entertain, but the new and current bar allowed them to go bigger and better with two baby grand pianos. Dueling piano entertainment was born!
As you walk through the carriageway past the piano bar and the main bar, follow the slate path to Pat O’Brien’s most popular bar, the Patio Bar. The appeal of this famous Patio is evident with its open air to the New Orleans sky with glass and iron tables set among lush foliage. It exudes the feeling of a casual party held in a neighbor’s backyard. The 4,000 square-foot patio imparts southern living at its best. At the center stands Pat O’Brien’s landmark flaming fountain. Designed to resemble a champagne glass, the copper fountain hosts a brilliant flame amid streams of water. The rush of the water serves as gentle background music to the sounds of laughter and chatter of customers, while the fire provides a warm glow to light the night sky. The Patio’s atmosphere exudes their motto, “Have Fun!”
Pat O’Brien’s Fuzzy Leprechaun is a favorite for St Patrick's Day celebrations. It is a vodka-based cocktail with fruity additions like peach schnapps, orange juice, pineapple juice and Blue Curacao. Talk about refreshing! The Rainbow has been a local favorite for decades. It is a delightful mixture of vodka, grenadine, Collins mix, and Blue Curacao garnished with an orange slice and a maraschino. Of course, the Hurricane is known all over the world. It was invented by Pat O’Brien in 1939 and is a combination of blended dark rum and Pat O’Brien's passion fruity top-secret recipe Hurricane mix, also garnished with an orange slice and a maraschino cherry. Sitting in the courtyard soaking up the gorgeous sunshine while sipping these colorful cocktails is simply blissful.
The Boondock Saint is a local watering hole tucked into a brick hideaway between Royal and Bourbon streets at 731 St Peter St. across from Preservation Hall. This intimate Irish pub was named after a cult movie that runs on loop on the TV inside the bar. There’s a great jukebox too! The famously friendly bartenders serve Guinness and local beer on tap, as well as Irish car bombs and cocktails. The prices are very reasonable. This is your perfect getaway from the 24/7 party happening just steps away on Bourbon Street. It’s like the “Cheers” of the French Quarter and soon everyone will know your name! Grab an Irish Coffee or a Guinness Stout with a shot of Jameson Irish Whiskey and settle in with the locals.
On a quiet street just a ten-minute walk from the French Quarter lies a hidden gem. Celebrate Cinco de Mayo any day at Espíritu, a celebration of the food, drinks, history and culture of Mexico. Wine Enthusiast proclaims it to be one of the top Mezcal bars in America. It’s also the oldest in New Orleans and boasts a completely gluten-free menu. It was created from a desire to share their passion for Mexican agave spirits and Mexican cuisine. Only the freshest local ingredients are used for their dishes and the focus is on environmental sustainability when sourcing mezcal and tequila. They warmly invite you to appreciate the history and culture of Mexico through the enjoyment of food and drink at 520 Capdeville St.
Dining here seems best suited to drinking and snacking from a selection of appetizers, small plates and tacos. The Crawfish Queso dip is velvety and addictive and looks to the Gulf South as much as south of the border. The Veraduras pickled veggie plate is amazing! Sample the vegetarian Huitacoche quesadillas made with Mexican corn truffles, similar to mushrooms. It’s convenient to sample items at Espíritu’s weekday happy hours and occasional mezcal tastings. The Happy Hour homemade tacos and chips and three salsas are wonderfully luscious.
They say tequila is to wake the living and mezcal is to wake the dead. Their Espíritu is the best margarita in town. It mixes fresh lime, Triple Sec, and El Buho Mezcal. Mezcal is an acquired taste, but a taste worth acquiring! Paris, TX is an upscale Paloma with grapefruit, lemon, Peychaud’s, tequila, and soda. Baja Bruja is a house-made basil cordial with Damiana liqueur, Mezcal, and fresh lemon juice.
For Mother’s Day or any day when you want to treat yourself or someone special, consider Tableau by Dickie Brennan and Company. It’s in the heart of the French Quarter on Jackson Square attached to the historic Le Petit Theatre. This romantic building at 616 St Peter St. was also the elegant home of the Spanish Governor of Louisiana from 1797 until 1799. Tableau’s dishes highlight local ingredients and reflect a wide variety of flavors and European influences combined with a modern approach. Tableau was voted #1 best balcony for dining and drinking in New Orleans! It boasts quite a view!
Tableau offers a variety of settings for cocktails and bites. One can imbibe in the courtyard to take in a beautiful spring afternoon, or you can retreat to the Drawing Room Lounge or their balcony overlooking Jackson Square. Happy Hour is weekdays from 2 p.m. until 6 p.m., featuring $7 cocktails and house wines.
Try the Old Hickory cocktail comprised of Sazerac Rye, Hoodoo chicory liqueur, simple syrup, and finished with smoke in a glass bottle. It is really something special and is my husband’s favorite. My personal favorite is the Just as Well cocktail composed of Buffalo Trace bourbon, fresh lemon juice, house-made rosemary syrup and El Guapo Polynesian Kiss bitters. The garnish is a slightly singed rosemary sprig.
Another special place to celebrate is Brennan's, an iconic French Quarter restaurant located at 417 Royal St. Their menu marries classic Creole traditions with inspired, contemporary influences. Breakfast at Brennan’s is a spirited, indulgent way to begin your day! Bubbles at Brennan's Happy Hour features discounted bottles of premium Champagne. If you have a sweet tooth, Flaming Bananas Foster is a timeless New Orleans tradition. Imbibe in their famously lush courtyard or their spectacular wine cellar.
The rooster rules the roost at The Roost Bar, a veritable aviary perched in an airy, open room overlooking the lush courtyard. Treat yourself to traditional New Orleans cocktails modernized, courtesy of world-renowned bar staff. Of course, there's always reason to celebrate by popping bubbly bottles and sipping fizzy Champagne cocktails at any hour of the day. On weekdays, they pour delicious select bubbles from both top Champagne vintners and premiere sparkling wine houses in the courtyard Monday through Thursday from 2–6 p.m. and on Fridays from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Bites include the Roost Burger, hand-cut fries, Lobster meat pies, and cheese and fruit boards.
In the 1950s, Owen Brennan invented a heartier riff on the classic Bloody Mary and the Bloody Bull was born. House-made beef broth made from beef bones was added to tomato juice to bring a rich and savory element to the cocktail, creating a more robust flavor. He threw in Worcestershire sauce, hot sauce, spices, and veggie garnishes to complete the flavor one would only expect of a true New Orleans drink. Today’s health craze of sipping bone broths can look at this classic meaty cocktail as a friend in a glass with benefits! For a lighter cocktail, try their Ponchatoula Strawberry Festival, a compelling combination of Hendrick’s Gin, strawberry oleo, lemon, lavender bitters, and egg white.
Wherever you land this spring, raise a glass and toast the good life we live here … Here’s to Dame Fortune; may she smile upon you. May you never meet her daughter, Miss Fortune. Cheers!
