Back on Bourbon Street: The NOLA-inspired restaurant returns after a 15-year absence (2023)

FAQs

Why is it called Bourbon Street? ›

The street dates back to 1718, when New Orleans was founded by Jean-Baptiste Le Moyne de Bienville. French engineer Adrien de Pauger laid out the streets of New Orleans in 1721 and chose one to carry the name of the French royal family ruling at the time, Rue Bourbon.

Bourbon Street (French: Rue Bourbon, Spanish: Calle de Borbón) is a historic street in the heart of the French Quarter of New Orleans. Extending thirteen blocks from Canal Street to Esplanade Avenue, Bourbon Street is famous for its many bars and strip clubs.

It is a hike of approximately just over 2 miles. At a good clip it will take you 30 minutes or so. Don't do the walk at night as between Lee Circle and Canal it can get a little sketchy after dark (homeless).

During the day, Bourbon Street is open to vehicular traffic. You can drive your car down the road and see all the bars and clubs that attract people at night.

In New Orleans, you're legally allowed to consume alcohol on the street, and on Bourbon, it's standard practice. A large number of bars on the strip aren't even bars, they're just cubbyholes from which vendors sling drinks of all kinds in plastic cups called "go-cups."

Upper Bourbon is the area best known to visitors — the land of lots of neon, roaming bachelor and bachelorette parties, strip clubs, and enormous drinks served in souvenir cups. Lower Bourbon has most of the above, but not in such intense concentration; it includes the LGBTQ blocks of Bourbon.

A Sazerac from The Sazerac Bar

Widely considered America's first mixed drink, the Sazerac is easily one of New Orleans' most iconic cocktails. Whether you prefer rye whiskey, cognac or bourbon, no Sazerac is complete without absinthe, Peychaud's Bitters and a twist of lemon.

Officially the Official Drink of New Orleans

After 150+ years and who knows how many Sazerac Cocktails later, it was time to make it official. In 2008, the state of Louisiana passed legislation that made the Sazerac Cocktail the official cocktail of New Orleans.

The creation of the Sazerac has been credited to Antoine Amédée Peychaud, a Creole apothecary who emigrated to New Orleans in the early 19th century. Peychaud's bitter, licorice-tinged drink was crowned the official cocktail of New Orleans in 2008.

In New Orleans, it is legal to walk outside while holding an open container of alcohol. This is why drinkers on Bourbon Street can meander up and down the street carrying a plastic cup of their favorite beverage, stopping at takeout windows for refills.

What is the longest running bourbon distillery? ›

In Kentucky, buffalo carved a pathway that was followed by America's early pioneers. On the spot where the buffalo migration route crossed the Kentucky River, we've been making legendary bourbon whiskey for over 200 years. Buffalo Trace is the oldest continuously operating distillery in America.

For first-time visitors, it is better to stay in the French Quarter than downtown New Orleans. Staying right in the New Orleans French Quarter ensures a central location with easy access to many of the attractions in New Orleans. These include the nightlife on Bourbon Street, the Saenger theater on Canal Street, St.

Bars Can Stay Open 24/7

Bourbon Street bars are famous for their open door policies, allowing drinkers to spill in and out all day long and essentially extending the party into the streets.

Don't Walk Around the Desolated Areas of the Quarter Late at Night. If you're asking yourself “is New Orleans safe?” you should know that although the French Quarter is very populated with tourists and is overall safe, the surrounding areas are not safe.

Drinking Laws -- The legal age for purchase and consumption of alcoholic beverages is 21; proof of age is required and often requested at bars, nightclubs, and restaurants, so bring ID when you go out.

A. It shall be unlawful for the operator of a motor vehicle or the passenger in or on a motor vehicle, while the motor vehicle is operated on a public highway or right-of-way, to possess an open alcoholic beverage container, or to consume an alcoholic beverage, in the passenger area of a motor vehicle.

New Orleans is a unique city in the United States for many reasons, one of which is its lack of an open container law. Here you can drink alcohol on the street as long as it is not in a glass container.

Louisiana is one of the states that has exceptions to the legal drinking age. Individuals under 21 are permitted to consume alcohol in their homes with and without parental consent while their parents are present or even not present.

To this day, tour guides tell you that Frenchmen Street is an off the beaten gem, a 'local's Bourbon Street' where real New Orleanians gather to listen to live music and grab a drink.

Can you walk on Bourbon Street? ›

It is so famous that more bars in the world are named after it than after any other place. For the best experience, start your walk on Bourbon Street at Canal Street and walk north until you reach St. Philip. Along the way, you will see how the street's atmosphere changes.

Sure, this firecracker of a drink will always play an important role in Nola drinking culture. However, nothing tops the Sazerac. Riddled with history, the Sazerac is a dark horse and a source of contention amongst drinks experts.

The Sazerac, created in New Orleans, may have been the world's first cocktail and is a favorite among whiskey drinkers. The original Sazerac was made with an imported French cognac that gave it its name: Sazerac de Forge et Fils.

The Sazerac is considered by many to be America's oldest cocktail! Made with rye whiskey, Peychaud's bitters, absinthe, sugar, and a lemon peel, it's a true classic.

One of the most iconic cocktails in New Orleans is Pat O'Brien's Hurricane. The syrupy red drink was created during World War II when rum was plentifully available, and other liquors weren't. Whenever we go to New Orleans, our first stop is always Pat O'Brien's for a Hurricane, served in their souvenir hurricane glass.

What is the current legal drinking age in Louisiana? The legal drinking age in Louisiana is 21. What counts as a violation of Louisiana's underage drinking laws?

Tropical Isle's Hand Grenade Drink is New Orleans Most Powerful Drink. From the French Quarter and beyond, the world famous Hand Grenade Drink from Tropical Isle^® is New Orleans Most Powerful Drink^®!

Sazerac Rye Whiskey symbolizes the tradition and history of New Orleans dating back to the 1800's, when Antoine Amedie Peychaud, owner of a New Orleans apothecary, treated his friends to brandy toddies including his own secret family bitters recipe, "Peychaud's Bitters." In 1838, he made the toddies using a double- ...

At Pat O'Brien's, Hurricanes are made with a mix of rum and Hurricane mix from the original recipe crafted in the 1940s. The drink is served in a distinctive glass stamped with the Pat O'Brien's logo. For tourists, these glasses are sought-after souvenirs of New Orleans.

What do you wear on Bourbon Street at night? ›

I recommend wearing something light and comfortable like a tank dress or romper. Bourbon Street is notoriously dirty, and the streets are cobblestone, so I wouldn't wear your favorite designer shoes or stilettos. I suggest wearing flat sandals or sneakers, so you can dance all night without worrying about your shoes.

Smoking AND vaping is banned INSIDE all bars (and casinos) in New Orleans. Smoking on bar patios, courtyard, balconies, and outdoor areas is still allowed.

While on Bourbon Street, you're likely not going to be at much risk. However, you should always be aware of your surroundings and keep your wallet and other valuables close to you. Don't allow yourself to be an easy target. Avoid alleys and shady side streets that don't have visibility.

Maker's Mark has the oldest bourbon distillery in the world, while Jack Daniel's is the oldest registered distillery in America.

Founded in 1795 and passed down through one family for the past seven generations, Jim Beam is the world's best-selling bourbon.

Old Overholt is America's oldest continually maintained brand of whiskey, was founded in West Overton, Pennsylvania, in 1810. Old Overholt is a rye whiskey distilled by A. Overholt & Co., currently a subsidiary of Beam Suntory, which is a subsidiary of Suntory Holdings of Osaka, Japan.

One of the South's first luxury hotels, The Roosevelt New Orleans, A Waldorf Astoria Hotel's legendary past dates back to 1893. Numerous iconic celebrities, athletes, presidents and royalty from around the world have all graced the property.

Uptown, Magazine Street, Mid-City, the Warehouse District, and nearby Frenchman Street all have wonderful places to eat, listen to some local music, and grab a drink. However, drinking in public is only legal in the French Quarter.

Some people prefer to visit Bourbon Street during the day, because it feels safer to be out in the daylight. It's not quite as crazy at it is at night, but it's still plenty wild in the afternoon. So don't be shy about doing some daytime bar hopping when you're in New Orleans!

Underage Drinking: Underage Consumption of Alcohol

Consumption is prohibited WITH THE FOLLOWING EXCEPTION(S): private residence. OR parent/guardian. OR spouse.

Does New Orleans sell alcohol on Sundays? ›

Most parishes don't restrict alcohol sales on Sundays, with several parishes banning alcohol sales from bars on Sundays.

Currently, the law states Monday through Saturday, from 6 a.m. till 2 a.m., you can purchase alcohol. Sundays though, bars are closed and those authorized to sell booze can do so beginning at 11 a.m.

The safest places to stay in New Orleans are the French Quarter, the Central Business District, the Arts/Warehouse District, and the Garden District.

Roch, the Lower 9th Ward, Desire, Holy Cross neighborhood and the 7th Ward, have the highest rate of major violent crime in the last six months. In the 7th District, 209 violent crimes have been reported since Jan. 1, 2021. The 5th District reported 138.

Is it safe to walk in New Orleans at night? Certain parts of New Orleans are safe to walk at night, such as well-lit, busy streets. However, most parts are not safe to walk in New Orleans at night, so stick to taking taxis.

18 and over

Some of the city's most popular clubs and music venues allow visitors ages 18 and older. If you're into rock and blues, head to the Howlin' Wolf in the Warehouse District. For live music and dancing with some of NOLA's biggest music legends, visit Tipitina's in the Garden District.

In 45 states, laws allow underage drinking in certain situations. In 29 states, someone under 21 may drink with their parent's permission if it's in a private residence or on private property. Six states allow someone under 21 to drink on private property without their parent's consent.

Yea, you can get into most bars in New Orleans, but you cannot drink. I know Bourbon St. is still 18 and up.

Most experts believe Bourbon County has the strongest claim to the founding of the drink's name. But a lot of the references of bourbon still date all the way back to the House of Bourbon family. And Bourbon Street is practically synonymous with the drink nowadays.

New Orleans is closely connected with America's only native spirit. Kentucky may be the birthplace of this distinctly American Spirit, but it was New Orleans who serendipitously helped develop the aging process that produces the bourbon we know and love.

Why is bourbon associated with Kentucky? ›

The whiskey rebellion started in 1794, an uprising in response to the 1791 Whiskey Excise Tax. The events encouraged distillers in Tennessee and Kentucky, which fueled bourbon in Kentucky since distillers didn't need to worry about this law at the time.

Basically, the defining factor that makes Bourbon a unique whiskey is the law. The Federal Standards of Identity for Bourbon state determine what is and what isn't Bourbon. For a whiskey to be considered Bourbon, its mash – the mixture of grains from which the product is distilled – must contain at least 51% corn.

200 Years of Bourbon Making History

Buffalo Trace is the oldest continuously operating distillery in America.

Maker's Mark has the oldest bourbon distillery in the world, while Jack Daniel's is the oldest registered distillery in America.

Evan Williams is a brand of Kentucky straight bourbon whiskey bottled in Bardstown, Kentucky, by the Heaven Hill company.

Bourbon or any spirit served over ice is referred to as "on the rocks." If you're new to the bourbon game, this can help tame it down and make it easier to acclimate yourself to drinking this spirit. However, taming it down a bit also waters down the flavors, diminishing the experience.

Bourbon is made with at least 51% corn

What makes bourbon distinct from other whiskeys is the way it is manufactured and aged. All whiskey is spirit made from fermented grain and then aged in barrels. But the kind of grain and the kind of barrels determines the variety of whiskey.

In addition to whiskey, cowboys also favored bourbon due to its sweetness and higher alcohol content.

A bourbon must be distilled at no more than 160 proof, or 80% alcohol by volume. Jack is well under that. It comes over the still at 140 proof, or 70% alcohol.

According to International Wine and Spirits Research (IWSR), which ranks the world's largest spirits brands by volume annually, for the past 20 years, Jinro Soju has been the world's best-selling spirit brand, outselling competitors such as Stolichnaya, Bacardi, and Johnnie Walker.

What is the bourbon capital of the world? ›

Bardstown is the Bourbon Capital of the World, with the greatest concentration of Bourbon distilleries in the Commonwealth of Kentucky. Downtown Bardstown was once voted the Most Beautiful Small Town in America. Bardstown Distilleries: Bardstown Bourbon Company.

Standard Bourbon: The bourbon meets the minimum requirements defined by the law. Kentucky Bourbon: The only difference between Standard and Kentucky bourbon is that it is made in Kentucky. Straight Bourbon: The bourbon is aged for more than two years in charred oak barrels.

Location – Bourbon can be made anywhere in the US. Only whiskey produced in the State of Kentucky can be called labeled Kentucky Straight Whiskey.

What it is: Two ounces of a single spirit served in an old-fashioned glass that's meant to be sipped—no chilling, no ice or any other mixers. Usually used on Whiskey or Brandy, both commonly drunk at room temperature. Say: “I'll have a Whiskey neat, please.” Up.