Pat O’Brien’s

Pat O’Brien’s

In December, 2003, a New Orleans bar called Pat O’Brien’s celebrated its70 th anniversary. Although not old by New Orleans standards, Pat O’Brien’s is an icon of the French Quarter, a location to which nearly every tourist makes a pilgrimage. Numerous explanations could be advanced for the bar’s persistent popularity, but I think it comes down to a simple formula: strong drinks, reasonable prices, and atmosphere. Their motto since1933 has been“ Have Fun!”— not especially clever or inventive, but to the point. Truth be told, it’s a euphemism for“ Have Rum!” At Pat O’Brien’s, the distinction between the two is vague at best.

Just Add Rum

A lot of bars opened in1933; it was the year Prohibition was repealed in the United States. B. H. “ Pat” O’Brien had been running a speakeasy called Mr. O’Brien’s Club Tipperary, but he turned the operation legit when the law allowed. In1942, he moved the bar to its current location, a building erected in1791 as the first Spanish theater in the U. S. But Pat O’Brien’s is best known for its signature drink, the Hurricane. This is a serious drink by anyone’s standard: a tall, ice- filled glass containing4 ounces of rum and4 ounces of a sweet, red passion fruit syrup— garnished with a slice of orange and a cherry. The name comes from the shape of the glass, which looks like a hurricane lamp. According to legend, the Hurricane was the brainchild of a liquor salesman in the1940 s who wanted to convince the bar they needed to buy a great deal of rum. ( A variation on this story gives credit to a bartender looking for a creative way to deal with excess inventory of rum and grenadine.)

But you can buy a Hurricane anywhere in the city, and every gift shop sells Pat O’Brien’s Hurricane Mix so you can make them at home. The drink is only part of the equation; atmosphere and an indulgent attitude are the rest. There is, I have been told, indoor seating at Pat O’Brien’s— including two separate bars and a dining room— but I’ve never seen it. The several times I’ve gone there, everyone who’s anyone was seated out on the Patio— a large outdoor courtyard, at the center of which is a flaming fountain. I have never figured out how they engineered this thing so that the water doesn’t extinguish the fire, but it’s extremely impressive. Likewise, rumor has it that the establishment has a respectable kitchen, but I can’t recall seeing anyone eating. Food, after all, would tend to dull the effects of the alcohol. Come to think of it… that could explain why I can’t remember seeing any food.

Steal This Glass

Your waiter will hand you a booklet featuring photos of all their specialty drinks— concoctions with names like Cyclone, Squall, Breeze, and Typhoon— each in a distinctive glass. The booklet explains why each drink appears to cost about$3 too much: the bar assumes most patrons will want to take their glass home as a souvenir. Rather than policing the customers and charging shoplifters a fine, they do the reverse: offer you a refund if you turn in your empty glass at the counter. If you take it with you, an attendant outside the restaurant will package it in a cardboard holder for safekeeping.

Pat O’Brien’s has franchises in Cancun, Orlando, Memphis, and San Antonio, as well as a thriving online business selling glasses, drink mixes, t- shirts, and tchotchkes of all kinds. But for the best and most authentic Hurricane experience, go to the source. And don’t forget to steal your glass.