Pat O'Brien's, Watch Out for that Hurricane!!!!
Written: May 14 '04
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Product Rating:
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Pros: Many rooms and moods. A good time!!
Cons: Hurricanes can be destructive.
The Bottom Line: The French Quarter has so much music and drink. We found ourselves enjoying both here one very memorable evening.
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| popsrocks's Full Review: Pat O'Brien's |
If you want to have fun, maybe do some singing, and perhaps raise your glass a number of times this is the place to go. It has quite a bit going for it.
STEPPING INSIDE
If you arrive after 7PM expect to find a line out the doors. This is a VERY popular party place and it lives up to its reputation. We were on the line for about a half hour. Though packed it moved well.
Inside there are a number of rooms and the first decision you need to make is which room to spend a few hours. You enter through the old carriageway entrance with red brick walls and a slate floor. Crossed muskets are above and the laughter and sounds of music draw you in.
BRIEF HISTORY
Pat O'Brien, a real person, had a speakeasy during the prohibition days. Once drinking was again legalized he moved to another location near the present site. The business grew in leaps and bounds as, "The place to be". In 1942 they moved to the present location that was built in 1791. for over sixty years this has continued to be the "Place to be"
MAIN BAR
To the left as you go through the path is the Main Bar. This is supposedly where the locals hang out. We didn't spend much time but the steins hanging from the ceiling were more than I have ever seen anywhere. The room was a good size active and cheery. This is used as a sports bar during the day but at night the juke box comes alive.
THE PATIO
Straight ahead you walk into a surprise. The carriage path led us to an open area that has the stars above. In the middle of the area is an astonishing fountain of flame and water. The sounds of the water and the glow of the flames gives an atmosphere that I can only describe as fabulous. It's very cool!!
Set all around the fountain are wrought iron with glass tables and chairs. Street lamps help give a romantic atmosphere and the green of the lush plants bring it all together. There were some lively groups and some quiet couples in this room. We hope to spend some time here next time.
The PIANO BAR
This is where we asked to be seated. It's a large room with tables set very close together. It is tiered so that those above have a view of the piano area below. The tables are packed and the crowd is close. There's just enough room for the wait staff to run drinks to the tables.
There are two pianos, each each player facing each other with a bit of space between the pianos. Above the pianos hanging from the wall behind them in the front area are huge angled mirrors that are set for optimum view of the keyboards. I suppose the pianists have a list of regular songs they do but much of what was played the night we we there we request.
Requests were made on paper napkins that were stuffed with a couple of bucks and sent down to the pianists via the patrons at the tables.
You ask for it, and they played it. All kinds of sing along songs like you might expect at a piano, like Piano Man were played along with a fair amount of songs of the south and national, flag waving and glass raising songs that the crowd sang along with. Each Pianist would take turns doing a song while the next prepared to do the next request. This was none stop. The crowd had a great time and we did too. We happened to be a party of four.
HURRICANES
Sharing part of our table was a couple form Texas. He and I got into a sort of drinking dual. We were all drinking Hurricanes at our table.
Hurricanes got their name from the shape glass they are presented in. It looks like a hurricane lamp.(See the picture above). It's my thought that it was named after the terrible winds of destruction that are born out of the South Atlantic and Caribbean, at least that's how they affected this guy. I was destroyed!! The next day I didn't even leave our room till later that evening. Let me assure you, this was not a proud moment.
Inside the clear hurricane lamp shape glass it's served in you will see a bright red liquid. This stuff can hit you and hit you hard!
The drink has been the featured item of Pat O'Briens for over fifty years. Here's the recipe from their site.
How to Make an authentic Pat O'Brien's Hurricane
In a 26 oz. Hurricane glass, mix
4 oz. of Pat O'Brien's Hurricane Rum or a good dark Rum and
4 oz. of Pat O'Brien's Hurricane Mix
Fill with crushed ice, and
Garnish with an orange and cherry.
Now what exactly is in that mix, I don't know, but I will tell you it tastes good, is not overly sweet and it WILL knock you on your glass if you have more than a couple.
OTHER DRINKS
The bar has its other specialties too but none near as famous as the Hurricane. Here's a list of some.
Cyclone: A windstorm of orange flavor that will whirl you off your feet, made with vodka and Pat O'Brien's Cyclone mix.
Squall: Light rum and green passion juice make this drink more than a small storm!
Breeze: A cool passion fruit flavor with amber rum.
Typhoon: You'll be swept away by this mixture of vodka, peach schnapps, raspberry schnapps, cranberry and pineapple juice!
Lightning: An electrifying blend of vodka, orange juice, and pineapple juice topped with Burgundy wine to give it an extra charge.
Rainbow: A colorful drink of grenadine, vodka, blue curacao, and Pat O'Brien's Sweet & Sour mix, layered to perfection!
Skylab: A fallout mixture of rum, vodka, apricot brandy, and blue curacao.
TNT: An explosion of vodka, pineapple and cranberry juice served straight up in Pat O'Brien's TNT glass.
Fuzzy Leprechaun: Your Irish eyes will be smiling after one taste of this combination of peach schnapps, blue curacao, vodka, orange and pineapple juice!
Purple People Eater: Return to your childhood, adult style! Vodka and purple passion make this drink just like grape soda, with a kick!
OTHER REMARKS and THOUGHTS
The workers, mostly decked out in the green signature jackets of the place, are pros at moving people in and out. The wait staff was quick and efficient. They really moved to get drinks out quickly and any tables that opened up due to guests leaving were attacked by the staff for a speedy cleanup and were at the ready for the next group to come and use the table. There was virtually no down time on these tables. As people moved out others were moved in, orders taken right away and brought to the table pronto.
The tables service as I said was quick and friendly and the drinks, though priced high were good. Hey the way I see it is that we were having a great time and getting entertained too.
There are other rooms and areas of Pat O'Briens in the original New Orleans club. I read there are others too. You can find them in Memphis, Orlando, Cancun and San Antonio.
ON LEAVING
New Orleans allows drinking on the streets in the French Quarter. Drinks are ordered "to go". This means it will be served in a plastic glass.
Upon walking out of Pat O'Briens many people bring their glass or perhaps have a souvenir glass. Outside the doors of the club is a stand and the guys from Pat O's won't let you go by with glass in your hand. They will take it from you, and if you have a drink in it, will pour it into plastic. Next they take your glass, wrap it in paper and box it! I have had an occasional Hurricane at home in an original glass. Some friends of ours who were recently down in N'Awlins brought back some mix for me. You can get it by ordering from their web site too.
More local reviews by popsrocks
New Orleans
French Quarter
The Garden District A must visit when in Nawlin's.
Preservation Hall A must see and hear!
Cafe Du Monde Cafe Au Lait and Beignets!!
Wyndham Bouron Orleans
A hotel in the middle of it all.
Recommended:
Yes
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