On December 3, 2023 Pat O’Brien’s will celebrates 90 years of fun in the French Quarter and invites you to join them in the festivities!
The bar was founded on on December 3, 1933 as prohibition was ending and Pat O’Brien converted his French Quarter speakeasy into a legitimate bar with live entertainers. In 1941, he partnered with Charlie Cantrell and purchased a large building 718 St Peter Street. It was originally built in 1791 as a private residence and later became a Spanish Theater before the partners converted it into one of the most famous bars in New Orleans history.
The partners did their best to supply the bar with liquor, however, the war made it difficult because most of the distilleries were converted into facilities to support WW2 efforts. Luckily, Caribbean rum was plentiful and they were forced to order large amounts of rum to receive a small order of whiskey. This caused them to start experimenting with rum based recipes and they eventually developed a drink that everyone loved. Around the same time, a salesman presented the guys with a glass shaped like a Hurricane lamp. Thus, their new Passion fruit drink became the Hurricane we know today. Over the years they also built a reputation for their attractions which included interactive dueling piano concerts and even a flaming patio fountain.
Through the decades, Pat O’Brien’s has been a place for people from around the world to convene. That nearly came to an end in 2004 when a neighbor filed a lawsuit claiming that the bar and restaurant “created nuisance noise that caused injury”. This claim led to numerous attempts to revise local noise ordinances. The 18-year-old lawsuit was ultimately dismissed in May 2023 after four days of testimony in front of a jury trial.
The celebration on December 3, 2023 will feature Hurricane and Cyclone drink specials, live music from The Groovy 7 Band on the patio from 4- 7pm, and Santa will be there to spread holiday cheer. A special 90th anniversary Hurricane glass will be available in the gift shop and online and there will be a raffle to win a 3 hour private party for 50 people in Pat O’s Briars Suite overlooking Bourbon Street with all food and drinks included. Pat O’Briens has always supported the New Orleans community, and this year all proceeds from the raffle will be donated to New Orleans Childrens Hospital. Tickets can be purchased for $10 on their website.
Pat O’Brien’s Celebrates 90 years
