Latest Issue: November 2025—Bar Guide

BAR GUIDE

Cheers! Imbibe in this boozy Bar Guide devoted to New Orleans nightlife and head out tonight for a drink. The featured locales range from no-frills dive bars to swanky upscale lounges, so there’s a place for everyone.

Publisher/Editor-in-Chief: Josh Danzig

Creative Director: Robert Witkowski

Executive Editor: Burke Bischoff

Assistant Editor: Donald Rickert

Movie Editors: David Vicari, Fritz Esker

Contributing Writers: Rebecca Fox, Emily Hingle, Kimmie Tubré, Phil LaMancusa, Debbie Lindsey, Andrew Marin, Tim McNally, Julie Mitchell, Michelle Nicholson, Kim Ranjbar, Celeste Turner, Beauregard Tye

Cover: James "Ragin' Cajun" Carville at Sazerac House by Romney Caruso

Director of Sales: Jim Sylve

Photographers and Designers: Abigail Donato, Gus Escanelle, Brady Grainda, Daelyn House, Emily Hingle, Ameer Joseph, Kim Ranjbar, Alison Robichaux, Robert Witkowski

Interns: Daelyn House, Mary Kate Johnson, Ameer Joseph, Frederick Quinn, Alison Robichaux, Kylee Snyder

The Ragin’ Cajun James Carville has been one of the United States’ most influential political strategists for the past 30+ years. In this issue, he sips bourbon and shares the story of his upbringing in Carville, LA, as well as his thoughts on today’s political environment. Drive-thru daiquiri shops are

of

culture. While the very concept is foreign to

Kimmie Tubré explores the phenomenon of the beloved

Thanksgiving is just around the corner. Tim McNally shares how

make

while Michelle

Subscribe: Receive 1 year (14 issues) for $40. Subscribe today at WhereYat.com.

Logo ©2025 All rights reserved Bruce Betzer, Legal Counsel: (504) 304-9952

Where Y’at Magazine 5500 Prytania St., #133 New Orleans, LA 70115 (504) 891-0144

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THE TASTIN' CAJUN THE TASTIN' CAJUN

A

Conversation on Carville with James Carville A Conversation on Carville with James Carville

By Emily Hingle | Portrait Photography By Romney Caruso

“The

nobility of politics has taken a hit,” James Carville stated in between predictions about how upcoming presidential, state, and local elections will shake out.

Political pundit, author, and podcast host James Carville believes that a cult of personality has overshadowed the political realm, creating an atmosphere of negativity. “It strikes me as it’s slowly gotten worse.”

His storied career as a political consultant for Democratic candidates was retold over a glass of bourbon on the rocks, his favorite drink. In fact, it was on the campaign trail to help elect businessman Wallace Wilkinson as governor of Kentucky where Carville, acting as campaign manager, first discovered good bourbon. He said, “I did a race in Kentucky in 1987. The guy who picked me up from the airport said, ‘You’ve got to understand something about Kentucky. It’s about horse racing, bourbon, and tobacco.’” Wilkinson won the seat.

Carville’s life and career is such a good story that City of a Million Dreams filmmaker Jason Berry has signed a deal with BenBella Books to write an authorized biography of him entitled James Carville has Something to Say

Before politics entered the picture, Carville was an LSU student who dropped out before returning years later to achieve two degrees. He enjoyed some of the bars near campus for an occasional beer, but it was trips to New Orleans that instilled a lifelong love of the city. “The French Quarter was the greatest place ever to go. I would go to the bars around LSU and stuff, but we would come down here a lot. When I grew up, it was the late 1950s and early 1960s,” he reminisced. “We had the best music in the world. We used to go see Irma Thomas all the time, the Nevilles all the time. Deacon John is a real scholar of music and a great guy. That was the real golden era of Louisiana music. New Orleans Black musicians—they had to earn a living playing at weddings, proms, and whiteonly nightclubs. Then they would go after to the Dew Drop Inn, and they would jam there.”

Carville’s experiences with segregation in the big city and the small town where he spent his childhood were somewhat different. The neighborhood of Carville, a part of the city of St. Gabriel south of Baton Rouge, not only had a large population of people of color, it was also the leading treatment center and residence of people suffering from Hansen’s disease, known then as leprosy. “The place I grew up, when I was five-, six-, sevenyears old, there was a place called The Ballerina. They would show movies. The whites had

to sit in the balcony because there were so few of us. I didn’t really know what marginalized people were.”

In the 1890s, New Orleans citizens demanded that people with Hansen’s disease be isolated, a commonhood for leprosy-sufferers for millennia. Act 85 LA State Legislature in 1892 made this official. The first Hansen’s disease patients from New Orleans arrived by river barge to an old plantation home leased by the state in 1894. Carville claimed that his grandfather, Louis Arthur Carville, watched the barge roll in while riding his horse on the levee.

New Orleanians were outspoken about not allowing the Louisiana Leper Home to relocate to the city, so the state purchased the land they had been leasing in 1905. The area, called Island, was renamed Carville after Postmaster Louis Carville in 1909. Senate Bill No. 4086 established the National Leprosarium in Carville in 1917 to send all Americans with Hansen’s disease to one place removed from society. It was the only such hospital in the contiguous U.S.

Though some patients arrived at the hospital unwillingly and under inhumane circumstances due to the stigma placed upon their affliction, the town of Carville represented a refuge where they enjoyed a sense of camaraderie and more freedom than the outside world. Patient Stanley Stein created an in-house newsletter that advocated for the disease to be renamed Hansen’s disease to avoid the stigma of leprosy. Patients married and lived in remodeled dorm rooms for couples.

The specialized hospital helped

advance treatments to what they are today. Hansen’s disease is caused by Mycobacterium leprae and Mycobacterium lepromatosis, and it seems to transmit via the upper respiratory tract during prolonged contact with a carrier, not skin contact as it was believed for millennia. The vast majority of people who come into contact with these mycobacteria (95%) will not develop Hansen’s disease. Hansen’s disease is curable through a course of medications, some of which were first tested in Carville. Currently, the Louisiana Army National Guard operates the historic building, which includes the National Hansen’s Disease Museum.

James Carville has always been proud of his legacy, and he boasted about taking his students from Tulane University to Carville to understand his heritage and this unique part of the state’s history. “The place is gorgeous. It’s unbelievable that people live in New Orleans and don’t know that it exists. We’d go and get muffulettas and Abita Ambers, sit atop the levee. It’s a very impressive place. The National Guard runs it now, and they’ve done a good job.”

The glow that began to beam from Carville when he discussed the natural beauty of his hometown didn’t fade when he circled back to the issues New Orleanians, Louisianians, and Americans face today. He offered a glint of hope amid the polarization and uncertainty we feel. “I happen to think things are going to get better. If people have an alternative to live a different way, a lot of people will choose it. There’s always the next election.”

NewOrleans bar2025 guide

CBD / WAREHOUSE DISTRICT

Commons Club is a high-end restaurant and bar in the Virgin Hotels New Orleans. They boast vibrant cocktails for every palate, varying from a Boon Apart Pimms to an Easter Bunny Bubbles. The plethora of unique cocktails pairs well with their amazing happy hour prices. 550 Baronne St., (833) 791-7700, virginhotels.com/new-orleans

Fillmore New Orleans boasts several bars, a vibrant music hall, and the upscale BG’s Lounge. Guests can enjoy quality cocktails in stylish settings, or sip top-shelf liquor in BG’s intimate VIP space. For an energetic atmosphere or a refined escape, the Fillmore is a perfect spot for every mood. 6 Canal St., (504) 881-1555, thefillmorenola.com

Legacy Kitchen Craft Tavern is an industrial-chic tavern offering an array of small plates, hearty entrées, and a selection of craft beverages. Their daily happy hour specials feature half-off wines, half-off beers, and Mr. Boston’s mixed cocktails. Wind down with a latenight cocktail at this lively spot. 700 Tchoupitoulas St. #3612, (504) 6132350, legacykitchen.com

Sazerac House is a historic museum that offers insight into the traditions and culture of the Sazerac cocktail. Their three-floor bar and museum space offers tasting events, historic tours, and cocktail classes. After wandering through their distillery, make sure to grab a classic Sazerac in the city that created it. 101 Magazine St., (504) 910-0100, sazerachouse.com

The Metropolitan is a two-story club with multiple full bars, VIP bottle service, and trendy DJ sets. It is the perfect latenight option for a classic cocktail paired with house music. They offer a calendar full of events, so visit their website to see upcoming performances. 310 Andrew Higgins Blvd., (504) 568-1702, themetronola.com

Vintage Rock Club offers nostalgic fun that is perfect for a group of close friends to gather at. It prides itself on being NOLA’s only immersive concert experience, regularly featuring DJcurated hits from rock music’s golden era. Follow their social media for specific themed nights, and dress to impress. 1007 Poydras St., (504) 308-1305, vintagerockclub.com

FRENCH QUARTER

Boot Scootin’ Rodeo has what you need for a night of line-dancing and bullriding. Mosey on down to this country bar, which offers a full bar, a wide variety of beers, and an amazing selection of specialty drinks. With a mechanical bull, dance floor, and games, this bar guarantees a sensational Southern night. 522 Bourbon St., (504) 552-2510, bootscootinnola.com

Bourbon Street Honky Tonk combines blues and country vibes for guests of all kinds. As part of the Tropical Isle bar chain, it offers signature cocktails such as the Hand Grenade and Pirate’s Passion. Join them for some of the best live performances in the Quarter. 727 Bourbon St., (504) 523-1960, tropicalisle.com

Rick’s Cabaret is a three-story cabaret playground that offers a full selection of wine and beers. Their specialty VIP cocktail list includes spirits such as the Mile High Gin and the Unrigged Tequila. Rick’s is the perfect place to celebrate a bachelor or bachelorette weekend. Bourbon St., (504) 524-4222, rickscabaretneworleans.com

Saddle Bar is a country-themed bar situated in the Quarter. Its drinks give you the courage to ride its mechanical rooster or show off your best line-dancing moves. Their two-story establishment contains a bar on each floor, featuring cocktails and throw-back shots, so rally your posse for a country-crafted night. 715 Bienville St., (504) 313-1113, saddlebarneworleans.com

The Boondock Saint, sharing a similar name to The Boondock Saints, boasts a traditional Irish feel in tribute to the essence of the film. It is an intimate pub offering a wide selection of draft beers and an old-school jukebox. For a laid-back New Orleans experience, visit this must-see spot. 731 St. Peter St., (504) 525-4950, facebook.com/ TheBoondockSaintBar

Vampire Apothecary has something for all that ails: decadent cuisine, inventive cocktails, custom fangs, and tarot readings. Their daring drink menu features Toulouse absinthe, energyboosting brut champagne, spicy oyster shots, blood bags, and more. A truly unique dining and nightlife destination, it promises an unforgettable and immersive experience. 725 Saint Peter St., (504) 766-8179, vampireapothecary.com

GARDEN DISTRICT

Hot Tin, located on top of the Pontchartrain Hotel, is a 1940s-inspired rooftop bar famed for its craft cocktails and chic ambiance. Sip their creative twists on classic drinks, such as the Sugarcane Old Fashioned, while taking in sweeping city views—an unforgettable spot where timeless style meets modern mixology. 2031 St. Charles Ave., (504) 323-1500, hottinbar.com

The Jazz Playhouse is one of the best jazz clubs in the city. This musical gem inside the Royal Sonesta Hotel serves up top-notch booze and tunes. Enjoy jazzinspired cocktails, flavorful entrées, and a rotating lineup of world-class artists that make every night worth a drink and a listen. 300 Bourbon St., (504) 5532299, thejazzplayhouse.com

Parasol’s Bar & Restaurant is famous for its po-boys, and its dive bar holds similar praise. It is a quintessential neighborhood bar serving an assortment of beers and cocktails. Their frozen Irish coffee pairs surprisingly well with their homemade onion rings. For a homey NOLA feel, give Parasol’s a whirl. 2533 Constance St., (504) 354-9079, facebook.com/ParasolsNOLA

The Jimani is a quintessential New Orleans sports bar. Boasting 100 different beers, great music, live sports, and delectable food, this spot is home for tourists and locals alike. The building, dating back to 1848, is now home to the “mysterious mixer” and 16 TVs for all the big games. 141 Chartres St., (504) 524-0493, thejimani.com

The Channel is one of NOLA’s most popular pubs. Nestled perfectly in the Irish Channel, they proudly serve perfectly-poured Guinness and incredible bar food. Make sure to stop by for St. Patrick’s Day next year when the Channel holds its celebratory block party. 2604 Magazine St., (504) 381-4680, thechannelneworleans.com

JEFFERSON

Rivershack Tavern has been described as a cross between a neighborhood tavern, a live music club, a sports bar, and a small-town restaurant. Their live music events invite anyone to have a great time while there. Their huge beer selection and wine list make for an enjoyable night for many. 3449 River Rd., (504) 834-4938, rivershacktavern.com

LAKEVIEW

JB’s Fuel Dock is a waterfront bar overlooking Lake Pontchartrain. This spot was a former fuel dock until its 2018 transformation into a relaxed restaurant. Enjoy a wide selection of cocktails, beers, seltzers, and wines—perfect for unwinding and mingling with friends while taking in the stunning lakeside views. 128 S. Roadway St., (504) 510-2260, jbsfueldock.com

Lots a Luck Tavern is a hidden gem nestled near City Park. This neighborhood dive bar offers an eclectic mix of fun, featuring a backyard courtyard, puttputt golf lane, a pool table, and foosball. Their inexpensive drinks and lively crowd promise a classic New Orleans evening. 203 Homedale St., (504) 483-0978, facebook.com/LotsaLuckNOLA

MARIGNY/BYWATER

Emporium Arcade Bar, boasting over 20 retro video games, is an arcade/bar that offers a nostalgic escape with a cold beer in hand. The lively space features large communal tables and a wide selection of lagers, ciders, and wheat beers—making it the perfect hangout for gamers and drinkers alike. 2231 St. Claude Ave., (504) 208-4987 , emporiumarcadebar.com/locations/ nola

The Country Club is a perfect escape for locals in the Bywater. In addition to drag brunches, delicious food, and a pool, patrons can enjoy refreshing beers, cocktails, and even mocktails. Order one of The Country Club’s seasonal cocktails, or consider going with an Old Cuban or other classic cocktail. 634 Louisa St., (504) 945-0742, thecountryclubneworleans.com

METAIRIE

Cork Wine & Martini Bar is one of the area’s only dedicated wine bars. It offers an exceptional selection of fine wines and perfectly chilled martinis. Whether you’re a seasoned connoisseur or a curious sipper, this spot truly delivers. Metairie locals enjoy an added perk—their first glass of house wine is complimentary. 4612 Quincy St., (504) 605-3299, cork504.com

Martine’s Lounge is a true Old Metairie gem, where time seems to pause. Regulars and newcomers alike trade jokes, share stories, and make fast friends. The laid-back charm makes everyone feel part of the neighborhood. Their low prices and brand new pool table make them a go-to Jefferson Parish joint. 2347 Metairie Rd., (504) 831-8637, facebook.com/martineslounge

MID-CITY

Pal’s Lounge, open daily from 3 p.m. to 3 a.m., is perfect for a nightcap or pregame drink. The relaxed atmosphere allows patrons to kick back, NOLA-style. Pal’s boasts heavy pours, occasional food trucks, and classic games, ensuring an enticing evening for everyone. 949 N. Rendon St., (504) 488-7257, facebook.com/PalsLounge

The Hangar is a premier event space that’s perfect for concerts, DJs, and private celebrations. With a full bar and exclusive VIP bottle service, this lively venue ensures every night is unforgettable. They mix great music, premium drinks, and an energetic atmosphere for any type of social function. 1511 S. Rendon St., (504) 470-8111, hangar504.com

The Rendon Inn is one of NOLA’s oldest bars. This Prohibition-era gem proudly serves up handcrafted cocktails and unbeatable vibes. Blending its storied past with a lively present, it features plenty of TVs for game days and pool tables for laid-back nights with an icecold drink in hand. 4501 Eve St., (504) 218-7106, therendon504.com

MULTIPLE LOCATIONS

Daisy Dukes offers an all-day boozy brunch feel, leaving you completely satisfied and looking forward to your next visit. Daisy Dukes serves an all-day breakfast paired with a wide selection of craft cocktails. Start your morning right by trying their awardwinning Bloody Mary or classic Southern breakfast. Multiple Locations, daisydukesrestaurant.com

El Gato Negro serves some of the most unique margaritas in NOLA and Gretna, including their Strawberry Vanilla Dream and Blood of the Gods. You may also choose their liquor flights for a thoughtful selection of great spirits. For an unforgettable evening, make sure to visit El Gato Negro. Multiple Locations, elgatonegronola.com

Tropical Isle is home to the iconic Hand Grenade—a true New Orleans staple. This lively bar serves the drink in a long neck cup and is perfect for roaming around the Quarter. Alongside a variety of frozen and classic cocktails, it’s the ideal starting point for your French Quarter adventures. Multiple Locations, tropicalisle.com

UPTOWN

Le Bon Temps Roule has been a New Orleans staple since 1979. Open 24 hours with live music and signature spirits and beers, this spot is the perfect go-to bar. It has been a classic spot for both celebrities and locals to share a drink or play pool until the wee hours. 4801 Magazine St., (504) 897-3448, lbtrnola.com

The Vintage is located on Magazine Street and serves some of the city’s best coffee, beignets, wines, and bubbles. Renowned for excellent service and voted among NOLA’s top beignets, it also offers coffee cocktails, locally brewed beers, and pre-Prohibition-style classics—making it a must-visit for both daytime treats and evening indulgences. 3121 Magazine St., (504) 608-1008, thevintagenola.com

WESTBANK

Club 38 is an exclusive club in Boomtown Casino, reserved for members of the PENN Play. They offer complimentary food and drinks within the VIP lounge, where guests can unwind in a refined, private setting featuring premium service, elegant décor, and an elevated experience tailored for the most loyal patrons. 4132 Peters Rd., Harvey, boomtownneworleans.com/ dining/club-38

STRAWS ON

THE SIDE STRAWS ON THE SIDE

Ervin’s creative fix didn’t just keep his business afloat, it effectively set a new legal precedent. Today, Louisiana law still reflects that loophole, stipulating that frozen alcoholic beverages with sealed lids and separate, uninserted straws qualify as closed containers. His quick thinking and entrepreneurial spirit helped shape a uniquely Louisiana phenomenon—the drive-thru daiquiri shop.

How Louisiana Turned Daiquiris into Drive-Thru Gold

There are very few places where you can roll down your car window, order a cocktail, and drive off with the straw still tucked in its wrapper. Louisiana is in that number. To outsiders, it sounds far-fetched, but, down here, it’s a normal affair.

By Kimmie Tubré

The drive-thru daiquiri isn’t just a quirky roadside stop. It’s a part of the culture, sitting proudly alongside gumbo, crawfish boils, and king cakes. Frozen and fruity, these colorful cocktails are a classic part of the state, and the drive-thru local landmarks that house them are a part of the attraction.

A SPIRITED DRIVE-THRU HISTORY

Before daiquiri drive-thru windows became a familiar sight across New Orleans, the concept was little more than a bold idea in the mind of a college student. In 1980, in Ruston, LA, a convenience store called Wilmart began serving a new kind of treat—frozen alcoholic beverages known as frostys. The drinks quickly gained popularity, drawing long lines and creating loads of customers waiting for their frosty fix.

Among the regulars was David Ervin, a business student at Louisiana Tech University who saw more than just a tasty trend. He recognized that it was a business opportunity. He also noticed the inefficiencies. The lines were too long, and the wait was too frustrating. One day, standing in a parking lot, Ervin sketched out a concept that would eventually transform Louisiana drinking culture—a drive-thru frozen cocktail shop.

Armed with a $20,000 loan, Ervin leased a small lot on the outskirts of Lafayette, ordered a prefab building, and invested in frozen drink machines. He loaded up on ingredients such as strawberries and Coco López, branding his entire menu under the term “daiquiri.” With no guarantee of success, and many skeptics, he opened the doors to The Daiquiri Factory in 1981.

The initial days were quiet; however, very soon, cars began to pull in. Word spread quickly. Within a week, The Daiquiri Factory had become a local sensation.

What Ervin hadn’t fully anticipated, however, was the legal gray area his business occupied. The operation wasn’t a bar, but it didn’t neatly fit the mold of a liquor store either. Local officials soon challenged The Daiquiri Factory, citing open container violations.

Facing the threat of shutdown, Ervin responded with a now-legendary workaround—a strip of non-resealable freezer tape placed over the straw hole of each cup. Straws were handed out separately, wrapped in paper. This simple act redefined the drink as a sealed container, and the courts agreed.

MORE IDEAS, MORE PROBLEMS

Of course, not everyone was thrilled. The same year The Daiquiri Factory opened, Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) was founded, and critics argued that selling cocktails through car windows was tempting fate. But Louisiana, with its laissez faire attitude, pushed back. This is, after all, the place where “go-cups” are a way of life. In New Orleans, you can walk down Bourbon Street sipping a Hurricane, plastic cup in hand, with no questions asked. Compared to that, a taped-lid daiquiri felt almost tame.

While concerns about drunk driving were real, statistics painted a surprising picture. Louisiana’s fatality rates weren’t even among the highest at the time. More than 20 other states with stricter alcohol laws ranked worse.

The Daiquiri Factory itself didn’t last forever. By the late 1980s, Ervin’s flagship closed, but his creation lived on. Today, you’ll find drive-thru daiquiri shops dotting highways and neighborhoods across the state. Some are flashy with long menus of neon-colored options, while others are modest mom-and-pop operations. Many even sell daiquiris by the gallon or in giant party buckets. And, yes, Ervin still owns one location in the New Orleans suburbs, a quiet nod to the legacy he built.

NOT JUST FOR TOURISTS

To outsiders, drive-thru daiquiris feel like a tourist gimmick, the cousin of the Hand Grenade. But for locals, they’re as everyday as a sno-ball stand. Need a quick pick-me-up on the way home? Grab a daiquiri. Headed to a crawfish boil? Bring a gallon. In Louisiana, these frozen cocktails aren’t about mixology or fancy garnishes. They’re about convenience.

Of course, tourists do visit drive-thru daiquiri shops. While initially met with disbelief, tourists often spot one daiquiri stand after another until, finally, curiosity wins. Inside, they’re greeted by rows of humming slushie machines and flavor boards filled with sometimes questionable names. New Orleans, in particular, embraced the drive-thru daiquiri concept with open arms. While the city is internationally known for its open-container leniency and drinking culture, it was the convenience of grabbing a 190 Octane or Jungle Juice from a sealed cup in the comfort of a car that sealed the deal. The daiquiri shop quickly became part of everyday life for locals, especially in neighborhoods beyond the French Quarter, mostly in neighboring Jefferson Parish.

Among the most recognizable names in New Orleans’ daiquiri scene is New Orleans Original Daiquiris. Founded in 1983, just a couple of years after Ervin’s first stand, the chain helped popularize the drive-thru format in the Crescent City and beyond. With dozens of locations across the metro area, their popularity and consistent flavors turned them into a household name.

DAIQUIRIS OUR WAY

Today, drive-thru daiquiri shops have become a symbol of Louisiana culture. They may raise eyebrows elsewhere, but, here, they make perfect sense. Every taped lid is a reminder of one man’s wild idea, as well as a state’s willingness to roll with it. So the next time you’re cruising through Louisiana and spot a neon “Daiquiris To-Go” sign, don’t hesitate. Pull up, roll down your window, and order yourself a little slice of history—straw on the side, of course.

HEAUXLD THE BOOZE

HEAUXLD Magnificent Mocktails Hitting New Orleans

When Fox Monroe started working as operations manager at Bella Blue’s new inclusive performance space The Original Nite Cap—with Pulcinella! directly beneath—it was obvious that in order to be a truly inclusive space, everyone had to feel welcomed, even those who

didn’t drink.

“My best friend has been sober for years, and my passion for creating an inclusive space for drinkers and non-drinkers is inspired by my love of spending time with her in the bar I love,” Monroe said. The Original Nite Cap is just one of many bars, restaurants, and festivals who have put a real emphasis on offering non-alcoholic options that are just as fancy as their traditional cocktails. The Original Nite Cap is located at 1300 St. Bernard Ave., in the Seventh Ward, and is open Wednesday through Saturday from 6 p.m. to 2 a.m.

Corset Strings is going to be the fall centerpiece, made with Lyre’s non-alcoholic dark cane spirit, chai tea cordial, lemon, soda, and non-alcoholic aromatic bitters. They also plan on having a hibiscus spritz called the Stage Kitten, which is made up of non-alcoholic gin, hibiscus cordial, lime, and non-alcoholic bubbles. The hibiscus cordial is made from brewing hibiscus flower to make tea and then adding freshly squeezed orange juice and sugar to make a pretty pink colored concoction that’s equally delicious as it is beautiful.

They’ll also offer a non-alcoholic espresso martini called the Show Stopper with house made cold brew, coffee demerara, non-alcoholic gin, and foam. There will also be Dazzle ‘Em, a N/A rum, lime, ginger syrup, and ginger beer mixture. They’ll also offer multiple non-alcoholic beer options.

“I was raised by my great grandparents, who were New Orleans natives, and hospitality was so deeply ingrained in my upbringing,” explained Monroe, who expanded upon what hospitality truly means. “To share a meal and a drink is to show love in its truest form. It’s important to me to evolve with the culture, and while a night out for some involves drinking, it doesn’t have to for all. Mocktails move the industry forward in a way that keeps us together when we need to be the most.” Monroe

isn’t the only one sharing this sentiment.

By Rebecca Fox

Lauren Haydel, better known to most as Fleurty Girl, has been very vocal on social media about her journey this past year with ditching alcohol for various reasons. “I am thrilled to see alternative options in a city where alcohol is everywhere. We want to be part of the party, too,” Haydel said.

Haydel recently introduced a new line of curated mocktails in collaboration with The Rum House, which started after a themed lemonade mocktail she shared online went viral during Taylor Swift’s “Eras Tour” weekend. The Rum House collaboration drinks all feature non-alcoholic tequila, because “she wanted to taste a bit more of a kick when she sipped.” The drinks all have adorable names with even cuter slogans. You’ll find Heaux Ranch Water, a drink that contains non-alcoholic Free Spirits tequila, lime juice, and soda water that, of course, “heauxld” the booze. There’s the “Fleurty Faux-Rita, which has all of the spicy kick with none of the hangover,” a mocktail that contains the same non-alcoholic Free Spirits tequila, lime juice, agave, and jalapeños for a little spice. Finally, there’s the “Teasequila Sunrise, with all of the sparkle and none of the stumble.” The Teasequila Sunrise also contains non-alcoholic Free Spirits tequila, orange juice, and grenadine. The Rum House is located at 3128 Magazine St. and is open every day from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m.

It’s a relief for many to see more bars and restaurants hopping on this trend. While many bars and restaurants can make any drink on their menu non-alcoholic, it’s nice when they go the extra mile and put the non-alcoholic versions directly on the menu. Much like someone who is gluten-free for medical reasons, normalizing it feels like you’re able to just say the name of the thing you want without being embarrassed to make modifications or feel like you’re being a bother.

Copper Vine offers two menu-featured cocktails with the mocktail available designation: the Gentle Sage and the Guava Pisco Sour. The Chloe offers a drink called Phony Negroni. Arnaud’s French 75 Bar offers a Strawberry Lemongrass Punch, containing strawberry, orange juice, lemongrass oleo saccharum, lemon juice, and orange flower water. They also have a cucumber watermelon spritz containing cucumber juice, watermelon juice, salt, orange blossom water, lime juice, and sparkling water. There’re also shrubs (kind of a vinegar made from different types of fruit) mixed with soda water at Bayou Beer Garden, as well.

One thing is for sure, the zero-proof culture in New Orleans is growing. That’s a relief not only for those with substance use and alcohol use disorders who want to feel like they belong, as well as for those who want to live healthier lifestyles and cut out sugar and alcohol, but also for those who would rather be sober so they can crush the competition at board games and bar trivia.

In a city known internationally for our spirit (and our spirits), it’s fantastic that we are finally proving that the true party comes from our personalities, rich heritage, and culture— and not from the extra added inhibition that high-proof drinks and few open container laws might have brought to the streets.

COCKTAIL OF THE MONTH

The Obituary Cocktail & the Strange Pursuit of Naming Cocktails

By Tim McNally

The Obituary

2 oz. Woody Creek Gin

1 oz. Cinzano Vermouth

1 oz. Copper & Kings Absinthe Alembic

Combine all of the ingredients in a mixing glass, stir with ice, then pour into a serving glass.

As featured in the book TheObituaryCocktail by Sue Strachan Louisiana State University Press, 2025

During the second phase of the periods of cocktail development from 1840 to 1900, it seems that naming a cocktail was as important as the ingredients used in the cocktail. Names that referred to the prime ingredient in the recipe, such as the Sazerac, or the naming rights reverting to the place of original origin, the Manhattan, were set aside as being too tame.

Following that was a new generation of bar staff—young, adventurous, creative, daring— creating solid drink recipes and satisfactory final results but with disconnected names from another dimension: the Fuzzy Navel, Slippery Nipple, Sex on the Beach, Mexican Mule, Screwdriver, Harvey Wallbanger, Between the Sheets, Pornstar Martini, all thrust on an unsuspecting, but thirsty, public. The drinks and the names were embraced for what they were—meaningless as it relates to the product, titillating, avant-garde, and fun.

It is interesting to note that none of the abovementioned concoctions came from one of the era’s centerpiece communities of cocktail culture, New Orleans; however, one drink and name came from our city, and it was a two-word moniker that evoked mental images and connections—the Obituary Cocktail.

The drink was likely in existence for many years, even through Prohibition; however, it attracted attention from the thirsty adult crowd thanks to a mention of the drink, along with its name, in the 1942 book The Bachelor in New Orleans by Robern Kinney. Why it suddenly struck a responsive chord among consumers through this avenue remains an unanswered mystery, but it happened.

The Obituary Cocktail was likely invented at Café Lafitte in the French Quarter with little attention paid to the discovery. This cocktail, after all, like many cocktails, is a derivative creation. In its purest form, it’s a martini composed of gin and vermouth, to which absinthe is added. Absinthe is the spirit about which legends have grown, untruths have arisen, and, in America, is associated with New Orleans mainly because we are associated with Paris and France, who made absinthe forbidden but glorious fruit. Absinthe is a strong spirit presence even to present day with many bars and watering holes looping back to embrace this rumored hallucinogenic.

We should also add here that Café Lafitte, established in 1933, was formerly located in Lafitte’s Blacksmith Shop’s building in the Lower Quarter. That business entity was sold in 1953, and the owner, Tom Caplinger, moved the bar down the block to Dumaine, renaming the bar Café Lafitte in Exile. Even to this point in time, it boasts of being the oldest gay bar in America and is open 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

Caplinger is also credited with creating the Obituary Cocktail at Café Lafitte’s original location. Outside of the attention-demanding aspects of the word “obituary,” there is likely no hard and traceable reason for use of the term. New Orleans has always had the reputation of being different, exotic, and haunted, so Caplinger’s use of the word fits. Besides, the history of absinthe in New Orleans is well-documented, with a strong emphasis on escaping reality.

The stories highlighting the effect of absinthe on the user, as well as the not-quite-true stories about the outlawing of the spirit by governments on several continents, persist today. No doubt you still encounter consumers, maybe you are one of them, surprised to see absinthe for sale in reputable merchants’ establishments.

For a period of time, namely after World War II, the Obituary Cocktail fell away from bar offerings. Likely, this lack of use and respect had to do with the presence of absinthe in the recipe and the confusion over absinthe’s place as a serious, even legal, spirit. Over the past several years, absinthe and the Obituary Cocktail have “arisen from the dead.”

This is truly the cocktail that refuses to go quietly into that good night. While the recipe is nothing extravagant, add to that the fact that the taste is not going to send anyone into fits of ecstasy, then there is the simple truth that the construction mechanics are as easy as drink-making can be. It seems that its exotic name has saved it from an early grave.

It has also avoided orphan status with its adoption from a loyal and active group of “true believers.” For a number of years, a significant number of imbibers in various cities, including New Orleans, have met at different bars and restaurants, often weekly, to share stories and a few cocktails they share in the company of like-minded New Orleanians to enjoy a common love—the Obituary Cocktail.

With social media notices on Facebook posted and membership dues never collected, the Grande and Secret Order of the Obituary Cocktail is mostly based in the French Quarter and is mostly informal—with gatherings dating back to 1999. Anyone can suggest a venue, and attendance records are non-existent. The group dates itself from the publication of the book The Obituary Cocktail: The Great Saloons of New Orleans by noted author Kerri McCafferty. Ironically, a cocktail that for an entire generation was ignored now has one of the most active groups of followers of any adult beverage anywhere.

This cocktail has taken its rightful place on bar menus around the world, and it has been correctly attributed to New Orleans as one of our creations.

Just when you take pride in your recently gained knowledge of cuisine and drinks, along comes some other idea or suggestion that makes just as much sense.

By Tim McNally

THAN THANKSGIVING DINNER

A Very New of a Very A Very New

We are about to face the ultimate test of dining rules—Thanksgiving. Here’s the ultimate day of feasting, football, family, and friends. Nowhere in America is the celebration as broad or as inclusive as it is here in New Orleans and, by extension, South Louisiana.

Not only do we bring America’s greatest native cuisine to the party, but we also bring together people who know the ingredients well and can use them to ultimate expression. Gastronomic challenges do not come bigger or trickier than Thanksgiving in New Orleans. Fortunately, we have a well-defined path and, if we don’t stray far, success is practically guaranteed. Even given the seemingly impossible playing field, we can put ourselves in the winner’s circle.

Orleans Celebration of

a

Very American Holiday

Let’s put together a full Thanksgiving feast and, at every step, let’s fill in with local ingredients and local preparation. Not many places on the planet can accomplish this. In New Orleans and South Louisiana, we can do it with some ease.

Begin the festivities in true New Orleans fashion. Your attention is directed to the Where Y’at series “Cocktail of the Month” on cocktails invented in or made famous through New Orleans. The Sazerac, truly New Orleans’ signature cocktail with Louisiana Legislature affirmation, is a great way to start the calendar’s greatest culinary day (for background and the proper recipe, check out the “Cocktail of the Month” edition on the Sazerac). While you are there, you can also look up several other great possibilities such as the born in New Orleans Ramos Gin Fizz and the French 75, both beloved and made famous right here.

Maybe your gang is more attuned to malt beverages? New Orleans has become a center of the brewery universe, with most products home-grown. Abita Brewing now has a brewery in the city, and Urban South is located on Tchoupitoulas, while Port Orleans is also on the same street. Some newer breweries, which provide products you can pick up at their breweries and take to the feast are Brieux Carré on Decatur, Roulaison Distilling on S. Broad, Second Line on N. Bernadotte, Miel on Sixth, and Parleaux on Lesseps. If you want to add to the mix breweries in our region, such as Parish Brewing Co., you can continue the quest knowing that these breweries make full use of local ingredients. Also, these beers are available in cans or bottles at retail level.

Let’s build in some food to our feast before we get to the main course. Oysters, in good season now, are always a popular choice rather raw or chargrilled. If you go for the grilled route, save yourself the knifewielding shucking effort. Place the entire closed oyster on the hot grill, shut the top, wait 10-seconds, open the grill, and you will note that the oyster has “popped” open a little bit. Remove them off the grill, pry the top shell off the oyster, douse the oyster with your butter and garlic sauce after putting it back on the grill, still affixed to the bottom shell. Close the grill cover back down for about 15 seconds and then scoop out the oyster, tossing the shell into the trash. Every guest can participate. As an added treat, Louisiana shrimp, boiled with their heads on and then served cold with any number of sauces, can be added

keep it simple.

What you are faced with at Thanksgiving is a seemingly impossible and challenging playing field. Many people around the table, or in front of the TV, each with their own distinct palate and each liking what they like. Yet, it is expected to offer dishes and drinks to accomplish a singular purpose—tasting good. This is where New Orleans shines, and this is where New Orleans wins the marathon.

It’s hard to believe, but the main course is still to come. Start with boudin balls, and then move on to the plated treats. Oyster dressing, sweet potatoes (or yams) possessing a hearty dose of Louisiana pecans, andouille sausage slices with Creole mustard for dipping. There’s so much to choose from.

Then the star of the show arrives—fried turkey. Fried turkey has no batter but is moist, giving all the flavor a fresh bird is supposed to present. If you’ve never had turkey prepared in this fashion, you have denied yourself a treat you won’t stop talking about or enjoying for the

Beverage service accompanying the main course are wines. Due to climate and soil conditions, wines are not our region’s strongest play, but there are a few wineries doing solid work. Right across the lake is Wild Bush, which mostly repackages raw materials from other places in their facility. North Louisiana boasts Landry Vineyards, which grows and vinifies wine in the traditional manner, working with grapes that are able to flourish in our climate and in our soils.

We did not forget dessert, and there can’t be a more fitting end to our Louisiana Thanksgiving feast than Bananas Foster, direct from Royal Street to your table.

There you have it. The most traditional eating and drinking day in America with New Orleans and Louisiana as the featured source of it all. As we said, it is likely no place else on Earth can pull off this feat.

NEW ORLEANS

Savoring Feast on local fun this Thanksgiving Day and experience the city’s most festive traditions

From the local Turkey Day Run and Bayou Classic Parade to Longue Vue Gardens and Louisiana horse racing, New Orleans offers plenty of Thanksgiving activities that go beyond the table. By Celeste Turner

From the local Turkey Day Run and Bayou Classic Parade to Longue Vue Gardens and Louisiana horse racing, New Orleans offers plenty of Thanksgiving activities that go beyond the table. Whether you’re feasting with family or celebrating with friends, these local events serve up the perfect blend of festive cheer and holiday spirit.

Burn some calories before your Thanksgiving feast at the NOAC Turkey Day Race, a fundraiser for Spinal Bifidia of Louisiana. Founded in 1907, this turkey trot has been a tradition for over a century. The race begins and ends at the Tad Gormley Stadium, featuring a five-mile and a kid’s half-mile run/walk. “This race is the second-oldest turkey trot in the United States,” Benjamin Burke, executive race director of the New Orleans Track Club, said. “Runners dress up in turkey costumes and hats.”

This year, with the addition of the largest team competition and costume contest, Burke anticipates a record turnout for the Turkey Day Race. “Last year, the number of runners was just under 3,500 from 47 states and seven countries,” he said.

Another local favorite kicking off an epic weekend of college football is the Bayou Classic Thanksgiving Day Parade. Led by the iconic Southern and Grambling State marching bands, the Bayou Classic Parade rolls at 3 p.m. on Thanksgiving Day, starting at the Caesars Superdome. “The Bayou Classic Thanksgiving Day parade is like a Mardi Gras parade with HBCU pageantry,” said Dottie Belletto, the owner of New Orleans Convention Company Inc., who has produced the Bayou Classic for the last 12 years. “People come together for this special parade, which is quickly becoming a tradition on Thanksgiving Day.”

Drawing crowds of 80,000, the Bayou Classic Parade delivers a vibrant display of color with floats, marching bands, homecoming courts, dance groups, and more. “Beads, trinkets, and footballs are some of the things handed out on the route, along with different Procter & Gamble products,” Belletto said. “This is an experience that is fun for the entire family.”

Spend Thanksgiving in full bloom at Longue Vue House and Gardens, where Louisiana residents enjoy free admission to eight acres of scenic beauty. Longue Vue, a picturesque 20th-century estate, was originally established as a family home in 1921 and became a community resource in 1980. “Whether you have family members in town for Thanksgiving or not, people are looking for spaces to be and places to connect,” Stella Baty Landis, executive director of Longue Vue House and Gardens, said. Open on Thanksgiving Day from 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., Longue Vue showcases 16 historic gardens, 22 water features, a main house, and eight other buildings, including a café and gift shop. “Being open on holidays is another way for us to serve the community,” Landis said.

Ditch the dinner table and head to the New

Orleans Fair Grounds for the 101st Thanksgiving Classic, with the season opening on November 20. “This is the 154th year of racing here at the Fair Grounds, which is the oldest thoroughbred race course still in operation and the second oldest track in the nation,” said Kristen Nicholson, senior director of marketing at the Fair Grounds Race Course & Slots. “Generations of New Orleanians have called the Fair Grounds home for their Thanksgiving Day activities.”

According to Nicholson, general admission is free on Thanksgiving, providing access to the first three floors, while the Clubhouse requires a paid admission fee. This annual tradition draws both locals and out-of-towners dressed in everything from casual wear to derby hats and fascinators. “We have people come dressed in their best holiday attire and others in jeans. Hats range from your typical derby style to horse racing themed,” Nicholson said. Doors open at noon on Thanksgiving and all ages are welcomed. However, the legal age to wager a bet is 21 years old. Nicholson added that guests can meet the horses and jockeys 30 minutes before the races by entering through the paddock. “The paddock is the best place to be up close and personal with the horses,” Nicholson suggested. “This is steps from the track.”

Speaking of horse racing with a twist, check out the unique Human Horse Races held at Easton Park in Mid-City on Thanksgiving Day from 11 a.m. to

3 p.m. This family-friendly, charity event, which sponsors a local horse sanctuary, offers a different type of derby where people dress up as horses and race each other. Live music, art, and food vendors are on site as eight adult and three family races take place throughout the day. “In 2019, we kicked off our first year,” Ingrid Anderson, a local artist and creator of the Human Horse Races, said. “This was my idea as an alternative Thanksgiving event.”

Now in its sixth year, Anderson noted that the Human Horse Races has doubled in size annually. Admission is $10 in advance or $15 at the door. Entry for kids aged 12 years and under is free. Also, registration for the horseand-jockey teams is free. However, spots are available on a first-come, first-served basis only on the day of the race.

Anderson also explained that betting on your favorite horse enters you into a raffle to win gift baskets of local goodies. Five adult horseand-jockey teams race at a time with the winners receiving trophies. The fun continues on the main track with four costume contests between races, while kids race their own hobby horses on the kids’ track. “This event is so joyful,” Anderson said. “We raise money to support retired and abandoned horses, as well as the local artists.”

With so much to do this Thanksgiving, swap the turkey and trimmings for a holiday experience that goes beyond the table and leaves you with lifelong memories.

MUSIC CALENDAR

SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 1

AllWays Lounge Crossroads Cabaret

Apple Barrel Smoky Greenwell Band

BJ’s BrasiNola

Blue Nile Afrobeat NOLA

BMC Balcony New Orleans Rug Cutters

Buffa’s Asylum Chorus

Cafe Instanbul Kumasi

Carrollton Station The Band Melrose

Crescent City Brewhouse New Orleans

Streetbeat

Chickie Wah Wah The Dangerous Summer

D.B.A. Tuba Skinny

Freret St. Divas Brass Band

Bourbon Street Drinkery Justin Donovan,

Southdown Souls

Crescent City Brewhouse New Orleans

Streetbeat

Gasa Gasa Mating Ritual

Irene’s Monty Banks

New Orleans Jazz Museum Joe Lastie

Preservation Hall Preservation All-Stars

Salon Salon Jeremie Henan

Siberia Spirit Possession

Southport Music Hall Black Stone Cherry

Spotted Cat Music Club Smoking Time Jazz Club

The Rabbit Hole Rebirth

Tipitina’s SUSTO

Gasa Gasa

BILLIE EILISH AT SMOOTHIE KING CENTER

Pop superstar Billie Eilish will be bringing her “Hit Me Hard and Soft” tour to New Orleans for two nights. With hits including “Bad Guy” and “Birds of a Feather,” this is a not-tobe-missed performance. November 7 & 8, 7 p.m., $507.85, smoothiekingcenter.com

SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 8

ARORA Kae

Apple Barrel Smoky Greenwell Band

Cafe Negril Bon Bon Vivant

Chickie Wah Wah Papa Mali

Crescent City Brewhouse New Orleans

Streetbeat

Gasa Gasa New Constellations

House of Blues Planet Perreo

Preservation Hall Preservation All-Stars

Spotted Cat Shotgun Jazz Band

The Den Cody James

Trinity Episocal Krewe De Voix Chamber Choir

WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 5

Blue Nile Kota Dosa

Bourbon Street

Drinkery Justin Donovan, Southdown Souls

Cafe Istanbul

Sariyah Idan

Café Degas Gizinti

Capulet Brian

Quezergue

Chickie Wah Wah

Jon Cleary

Crescent City

Brewhouse New Orleans Streetbeat

Fillmore Leon Thomas

Lamar Dixon Expo Center Chris Stapleton, Riley Green

Le Bon Temps Roule

New Orleans Jazz & Blues Market Norman Brown

Nite Cap Choir Connection

No Dice Lesser Care

Okay Bar Olivia Valentine

The Press Room Shovaly Plus

Smoothie King Center Lil Wayne

Spotted Cat Soul Brass Band

Tipitina’s Alex McMurray, Sam Price Band

SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 2

Bacchanal Noah Young

BJ’s James McClaskey

Bourbon Street Honky Tonk Bad Sandys

Broadside T Marie

Crescent City Brewhouse New Orleans

Streetbeat

Dew Drop Inn J. Ivy

Gasa Gasa French Cassettes

H.O.B. Matt Maltese

Kermit’s Treme TBC Brass Band

New Orleans Jazz & Blues Market Sue Foley

Preservation Hall Leroy Jones

Saturn Bar Helen Gillet

Snug Harbor Nickel-A-Dance

The Broadside T Marie

The Howlin’ Wolf Hot 8 Brass Band

The Marigny Opera House Naomie April, Amina Scott

MONDAY, NOVEMBER 3

Always Lounge

Apple Barrel

BJ’s

Bourbon Street Drinkery

Buffa’s

Capulet

Crescent City Brewhouse

Streetbeat

Da Jump Off Lounge

NOLA Brewing

New Orleans Jazz Museum Trempo

Okay Bar Django Jazz Jam

Preservation Hall Preservation Brass

Saturn Bar BC Coogan

TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 4

Apple Barrel Bubbles Brown

Gasa Gasa Trash Panda

Irene’s Monty Banks

Joy Theater UMI

Marigny Studios Robbie Fulks

New Orleans Jazz & Blues Market Jeff Lorber

Fusion

Picnic Provisions Mikayla Braun

Preservation Hall Preservation Legacy Band

Spotted Cat Shotgun Jazz Band

Tropical Isle Dave Ferrato

UNO Stefan Harris

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 6

Blue Nile Irvin Mayfield

Bourbon Street Drinkery Justin Donovan, Southdown Souls

Carousel Bar Leslie Martin

Chickie Wah Wah Brad Walker Quartet

Crescent City Brewhouse New Orleans

Streetbeat

Irene’s Monty Banks

Le Bon Temps Roule The Soul Rebels

New Orleans Jazz & Blues Market Jeff Lorber

Fusion

Orpheum Theater LPO

Peacock Room Da Lovebirds

Saturn Bar Coral Grief

The Den Colleen Orender

Tipitina’s Bowling For Soup

Vaughan’s Lounge Corey Henry

FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 7

Bacchanal Willie Green

Banks Street Sex Mex

Blue Nile Kermit Ruffins

Bourbon Street Drinkery Southdown Souls

Bourbon Street Honky Tonk The Bad Sandys

Chickie Wah Wah Cortland Burke

Crescent City Brewhouse New Orleans

Streetbeat

Irene’s Monty Banks

Le Bon Temps Roule Caleb Tokarska

New Orleans Jazz & Blues Market Keyon

Harrold

Saenger Stardew Valley

Smoothie King Center Billie Eilish

Southport Hall Stache Gordon

Spotted Cat Dirty Tuba

The Den SnowDay

Tipitina’s Hayes Carll

Trinity Episcopal Church Bobby Jo Valentine

Le Bon Temps Roule Reverend Rob B. Mortimer

Maple Leaf John “Papa” Gros

Roosevelt Hotel Leslie Martin

Santos Bar Swampgrave

Siberia Bruka

Smoothie King Center Billie Eilish

Spotted Cat James Martin Band

St Roch Tavern Hash Cabbage

The Howlin’ Wolf Jim Stephens

SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 9

Armstrong Park Rebirth

Bacchanal Noah Young

Beanlandia Boucherie

Bourbon Street Drinkery Bang Bang

Bourbon Street Honky Tonk The Bad Sandys

Carousel Bar The Iguanas

Crescent City Brewhouse New Orleans

Streetbeat

French Market Alicia Renee

New Orleans Jazz & Blues Market John

Nemeth

No Dice Akai Solo

Preservation Hall Leroy Jones

Santos Bar IAMX

Saturn Bar Katy Guillen

The Howlin’ Wolf Hot 8 Brass Band

The Marigny Opera House Gavin Eckler

Tipitina’s Pigeons Playing Ping Pong

MONDAY, NOVEMBER 10

AllWays Lounge Betsy Propane

Buffa’s David Doucet

Bourbon Street Drinkery Justin Donovan

Capulet Susanne Ortner

Crescent City Brewhouse New Orleans

Streetbeat

Da Jump Off Lounge Sporty’s Brass Band

Gasa Gasa The After Circus

NOLA Brewing Bluegrass Pickin’ Party

Preservation Hall Preservation Brass

Saturn Bar BC Coogan

Southport Music Hall Ne Obliviscaris

The Den Jay Bay Jar

TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 11

Apple Barrel Bubbles Brown

Bourbon Street Drinkery Justin Donovan, Southdown Souls

Capulet Lady O

Crescent City Brewhouse New Orleans

Streetbeat

Irene’s Monty Banks

Joy Theater Atreyu

New Orleans Jazz & Blues Market John Primer

Okay Bar Sonic Chambers Quartet

Orpheum Theater Leslie Odom

Preservation Hall Preservation All-Stars

Salon Salon Leo Forde

Spotted Cat Smoking Time Jazz Club

The Rabbit Hole Rebirth

WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 12

Blue Nile New Breed Brass Band

Bourbon Street Drinkery Justin Donovan, Southdown Souls

Café Degas Gizinti

Capulet Hector Gallardo’s Cuban Jazz

Chickie Wah Wah Mary Flower

Crescent City Brewhouse New Orleans

Streetbeat

Irene’s Monty Banks

New Orleans Jazz & Blues Market Stephane Wrembel

Tropical Isle Dave Ferrato

UNO Greg Tuohey

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 13

Apple Barrel Bubbles Brown

BMC The Budz

Blue Nile Irvin Mayfield

Bourbon Street Drinkery Justin Donovan, Southdown Souls

Carousel Bar Leslie Martin

Chickie Wah Wah New Birth Brass Band

Crescent City Brewhouse New Orleans

Streetbeat

Gasa Gasa Congress The Band

Le Bon Temps Roule The Soul Rebels

New Orleans Jazz Museum NOCCA Concert Series

Orpheum Theater Andy Bell of Erasure

Okay Bar Spoonfed Jr.

Preservation Hall Preservation All-Stars

Tipitina’s Futurebirds

The Den Scott Low

The Howlin’ Wolf Big Sam's Funky Nation

Vaughan’s Corey Henry & The Treme Funktet

FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 14

Apple Barrel Bubbles Brown

ARORA Wreckno

Bacchanal Willie Green

Blue Nile Kermit Ruffins

BMC Jazz Band Ballers

Bourbon Street Drinkery Southdown Souls

Bourbon Street Honky Tonk The Bad Sandys

Carrollton Station J Candeed

Chickie Wah Wah John Hollier

Crescent City Brewhouse New Orleans

Streetbeat

Irene’s Monty Banks

Le Bon Temps Roule Kirkos

Loyola University Red Hot Gentilly Peppers

New Orleans Jazz Museum Roy Bookbinder

SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 15 Apple Barrel Smoky Greenwell Band

Da Jump Off Lounge

Sporty’s Brass Band

French Market Alicia Renee Okay Bar Django Jazz Jam

NOLA Brewing Bluegrass

Pickin’ Party Preservation Hall Preservation Brass Saturn Bar BC Coogan The Den Oscar LaDell

TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 18

Apple Barrel Bubbles Brown

Bourbon Street Drinkery

Justin Donovan, Southdown

Souls

Capulet Teena May

Chickie Wah Wah Ethan Regan

Irene’s Monty

Banks

No Dice Béton Armé

Preservation Hall

Preservation All-

Stars

Spotted Cat Music

Club Shotgun Jazz Band

Tipitina’s Better Lovers

Tropical Isle Bourbon Dave Ferrato

UNO Paul Wiltgen

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 20

Apple Barrel Bubbles Brown

ARORA Duffrey

Blue Nile Irvin Mayfield

BMC The Budz

Bourbon Street Drinkery Justin Donovan, Southdown Souls

Capulet Coyote Anderson

Chickie Wah Wah Zack Feinberg

Crescent City Brewhouse New Orleans

Streetbeat

Irene’s Monty Banks

Joy Theater Sheng Wang

Le Bon Temps Roule Robo Go-Go

New Orleans Jazz & Blues Market Curtis Stigers

New Orleans Jazz Museum NOCCA Concert

Series No Dice Graveripper

Preservation Hall Preservation All-Stars

Salon Salon Kateri Farrell

Saturn Bar Tagabow

FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 21

Apple Barrel Bubbles Brown

SOBER FEST AT THE BROADSIDE

Sober Fest is a nonalcohol friendly event that benefits Bridge House/Grace House. Live music will be provided by Anders Osborne, Ivan Neville & Friends, the Trombone Shorty Academy, and more.

Saturday, November 22, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., $10 to $20, bridgehouse.org

Crescent City Brewhouse New Orleans

Streetbeat

Gasa Gasa Vortxz

Irene’s Monty Banks

New Orleans JCC Book Club No Dice Crobot

Preservation Hall Preservation All-Stars

Salon Salon Hanna Mignano

Bacchanal Willie Green

Blue Nile Kermit Ruffins

BMC Jazz Band Ballers

Bourbon Street Drinkery Southdown Souls

Bourbon Street Honky Tonk The Bad Sandys

Buffa’s T Marie

Chickie Wah Wah The Wilder Blue

Crescent City Brewhouse New Orleans

Streetbeat

Spotted Cat Music Club Smoking Time Jazz Club

The Rabbit Hole Rebirth

WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 19

Blue Nile Kota Dosa

Bourbon Street Drinkery Justin Donovan, Southdown Souls

Café Degas Gizinti

Capulet The GET

Chickie Wah Wah Jon Cleary

Crescent City Brewhouse New Orleans

Streetbeat

Irene’s Monty Banks

Le Bon Temps Roule Lee Yankie

New Orleans Jazz & Blues Market Mike Zito

Orpheum Theater LPO

Saenger Theatre Queens Of The Stone Age

Skeeta Hawk Paul Faith

Southport Hall Electric Yat Quarter

Spotted Cat Music Club Paradise Jazz Band

The Howlin’ Wolf Ryan Rogers

SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 22

Apple Barrel bar Smoky Greenwell

MUSIC CALENDAR

Balcony Music Club Rug Cutters Band, John Lisi

Bayou Bar Jordan Anderson

Buffas Moody’s

Chickie Wah Wah Night Cap

Crescent City Brewhouse New Orleans

Streetbeat

Dew Drop Inn Legends of the Drew Drop

Gasa Gasa The Soul Rebels

Le Bon Temps Roule The Snozzberries

The Metropolitan Nightclub Gryffin

The Sazerac House Candlelight

Tipitina’s Alexis Marceaux, My So-Called Band

Wild Bush Farm & Vineyard Charlie Holloran

SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 23

30/90 Daphne Parker Powell

Bacchanal Tangiers Combo

Bourbon Street Drinkery Bang Bang

JOE BONAMASSA AT SAENGER THEATRE

Don’t miss blues rock singer and guitarist Joe Bonamassa when he comes to the Saenger. During his long career, he has released 28 albums that have been rated number 1 in Billboard’s Blues Album charts.

Saturday, November 29, 8 p.m., $37.60 to $286, saengernola.com

Maple Leaf John Cleary, Carter Wilkinson

Music Box Village People Museum

New Orleans Jazz & Blues Market Blood Brothers Pirogue’s Whiskey Bayou Micah McKee

Preservation Hall Wendell Brunious Southport Hall Know Your Enemy

Spotted Cat Music Club Shake’em Up Jazz Band

The Broadside Ivan Neville, Anders Osborne The Den at Howlin’ Wolf The Convergence, D’rty Cot’n

Bourbon Street Honky Tonk The Bad Sandys

Buffas Some Like It Hot! Band

Carousel Bar The Iguanas

Chickie Wah Wah The Brudi

Brothers

Commons Club Jeremy Phipps

Crescent City Brewhouse New Orleans Streetbeat

Dickie Brennan Tableau New

Orleans Spice Jazz Brunch

Fillmore New Orleans OsamaSon

French Market Alicia Renee

House of Blues Earl Sweatshirt

Jimmy’s Music Club Out In Front, The Band Melrose

Maison Feral House Cats

Maple Leaf Joe Krown

The Howlin’ Wolf Hot 8 Brass

Band

Preservation Hall Leroy Jones, Preservation

Legacy Band

The Willow The Kissing Disease, Band Melrose

MONDAY, NOVEMBER 24

Bourbon Street Drinkery Justin Donovan

Capulet T Marie

Crescent City Brewhouse New Orleans

Streetbeat

Da Jump Off Lounge Sporty’s Brass Band

French Market Alicia Renee

Maple Leaf George Porter Jr.

Preservation Hall Preservation Brass

Saturn Bar BC Coogan

TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 25

AllWays Lounge Rushadicus

Apple Barrel Bubbles Brown

Bourbon Street Drinkery Justin Donovan, Southdown Souls

Capulet James Jordan

Crescent City Brewhouse New Orleans

Streetbeat

Irene’s Monty Banks

No Dice Rushadicus

Preservation Hall Preservation All-Stars

Salon The Glo Worm

Saturn Bar Chris Acker

Spotted Cat Smoking Time Jazz Club

The Rabbit Hole Rebirth Brass Band

WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 26

Blue Nile New Breed Brass Band

Bourbon Street Drinkery Justin Donovan, Southdown Souls

Buffas Black Dog

Café Degas Gizinti

Capulet Washboard Chaz

Crescent City Brewhouse New Orleans

Streetbeat

Dew Drop Inn Legends of the Drew Drop

Le Bon Temps Roule Steve Kelly

Balcony Bar Mark

Appleford, Smoky

Greenwell

Blue Nile Irvin

Mayfield, New Breed

Brass Band

Bourbon Street

Drinkery Justin Donovan, Southdown Souls

Cafe Degas Gizinti

Capulet Washboard Chaz

Carousel Bar Leslie Martin

Howlin’ Wolf Cory Phillips, The Vibe Tribe

Irene’s Monty Banks

Le Bon Temps Roule The Soul Rebels

Mid-City Lanes Rock n Bowl Geno Delafose

North Star Theatre Dash Rip Rock

Preservation Hall All-Stars

Vaughan’s Lounge Corey Henry

FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 28

Apple Barrel Bubbles Brown

Bacchanal Willie Green

Balcony Music Club Jazz Band Ballers, John Lisi

Orpheum Theater Leslie Odom, Jr., PJ Morton

Spotted Cat Shotgun Jazz Band

The Den at Howlin’ Wolf Cory Phillips

Tropical Isle Bourbon Dave Ferrato

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 27

Apple Barrel Bubbles Brown

Bourbon Street Drinkery Southdown Souls

Bourbon Street Honky Tonk The Bad Sandys

Buffas Washboard Chaz

Crescent City Brewhouse New Orleans

Streetbeat

Irene’s Monty Banks

Le Bon Temps Roule Quarx

Marigny Opera House Alune Wade

Maple Leaf John Cleary, Alex McMurray

North Star Theatre Zita

Orpheum Theater Leslie Odom, Jr., PJ Morton

Preservation All-Stars

Spotted Cat Paradise Jazz Band

Sweet Lorraine’s Jazzmeia Horn

Tipitina’s Lost Bayou Ramblers, Chaparelle

LAKESIDE2RIVERSIDE

JEFFERSON PARISH’S LOUISIANA OYSTER TRAIL

All Through November | visitjeffersonparish.com/restaurants/ oyster-trail

Louisiana loves its oysters, so make sure to visit participating Jefferson Parish restaurants during the parish’s Louisiana Oyster Trail event. Taking place during November, this event was first started by Visit Jefferson Parish partnering with the Louisiana Tourism Recovery Program after the 2012 BP oil spill to help local restaurants. The 18 participating restaurants, which all have a three-foot tall, hand-painted oyster sculpture, include the Galley Seafood, Short Stop Poboys, Gattuso’s Neighborhood Restaurant, and more. To see all of the Louisiana Oyster Trail restaurants, as well as any specials that will be on offer, go to Visit Jefferson Parish’s website.

LOUISIANA RENAISSANCE FESTIVAL

November 1 to December 7 | larf2023.org

You don’t need to fly over to Europe to experience some Renaissance fun. Head up to 46468 River Rd. in Hammond and take part in this year’s Louisiana Renaissance Festival, which is the perfect event for fans of anything medieval or fantasy. In addition to plenty of food, drinks, and shopping, guests can enjoy lots of different entertainment including music, jousting, comedy, and more. Each weekend of the fest will have a different theme, such as Celtic and Wizards, so make sure to coordinate your costume accordingly. Visit Louisiana Renaissance Festival’s website for single day tickets, weekend passes, special event tickets, and more.

Get Yours Today! nola.gov/crescentcityid

LAKESIDE2RIVERSIDE

TOUCH-A-TRUCK

November 15 | jlno.org/touch-a-truck

Gather up the family and take a drive out to the Pontchartrain Center in Kenner for Touch-A-Truck 2025. This event allows kids of all ages, and kids at hearts, to get up close to and explore a variety of trucks and other big machines including bulldozers, fire engines, helicopters, and more. In addition to all of the machinery, there will also be a raffle for a $2,500 Disney gift card, which is $10 to enter and is put on by the Junior League of New Orleans. Tickets range from $11 to $100, while children 1 and under can enter for free.

THANKSGIVING RACES

AT THE FAIR GROUNDS

November 27 | fairgroundsracecourse.com

Don your most extravagant hat and take part in this year’s Thanksgiving Day horse racing event at the Fair Grounds Race Course and Slots. This annual event, having taken place now for over 100 years, is a true New Orleans tradition and is a perfect way to start off Turkey Day. Grab a refreshing drink and cheer on the horses and jockeys as they race down one of the oldest race tracks in the United States. General admission to the Fair Grounds is free, while payment is required to access the Clubhouse. Visit the Fair Grounds’ website for more info.

L. A. STOPS TRAFFIC

BODYTRAFFIC Brings Big Energy with a Tribute to The Big Easy

By Kimmie Tubré

BODYTRAFFIC & PRESERVATION HALL JAZZ BAND

Mahalia Jackson Theater | November 15, 7:30 p.m.

When you think of Los Angeles, you probably picture large movie studios and red carpets. However, just off the Hollywood Walk of Fame, something just as awesome is happening on a stage, and its name is BODYTRAFFIC.

Since its founding in 2007 by Tina Finkelman Berkett and Lillian Barbeito, BODYTRAFFIC has been shaking up the dance world with its fearless creativity and magnetic stage presence. They’ve been called “one of the most talked-about companies nationwide” by the Los Angeles Times. BODYTRAFFIC is a powerhouse collective that thrives on collaboration, bringing together some of the most exciting choreographers in the world.

Unlike companies that revolve around a single artistic voice, BODYTRAFFIC’s magic is its diversity. One piece might come from Kyle Abraham, blending social commentary with sleek, fluid movement. The next could be a high-voltage Hofesh Shechter creation; a quirky, humorous vignette by Micaela Taylor; or an emotional, storytelling-driven work by Trey McIntyre. The result? Every BODYTRAFFIC performance is fresh and unforgettable.

Their mantra says it all: “Without movement, nothing changes.” BODYTRAFFIC tells human stories through dance leaving audiences inspired and moved. On November 15 at the Mahalia Jackson Theater, New Orleans will get to experience that magic up close.

A Tribute to the Crescent City

BODYTRAFFIC is headed back to the Big Easy with a program that’s as much a celebration as it is a remembrance. This special one-night-only event commemorates the 20th anniversary of Hurricane Katrina, paying tribute to the resilience, music, and soul of New Orleans. At the heart of the evening is a rare restaging of Trey McIntyre’s Ma Maison, a work originally commissioned by the New Orleans Ballet Association (NOBA) in 2008. The piece was created in collaboration with the legendary Preservation Hall Jazz Band, and it’s every bit as vibrant as the city that inspired it.

“This piece, entitled Ma Maison, was actually created many years ago for my own company, Trey McIntyre Project,” McIntyre said. “It was commissioned by the New Orleans Ballet Association as a way of bringing the culture of New Orleans to the world in the face of the devastation after Hurricane Katrina. The city of New Orleans has been a part of my life since I was a young kid and has always been a place that I have had intense love for.”

“Ma Maison is like a love letter to New Orleans,” Artistic Director Tina Berkett said. This special performance also features excerpts from McIntyre’s The Sweeter End, adding another layer of reflection and celebration. With Preservation Hall performing live on stage, the night promises to be both soulful and electrifying.

Rock ’n’

Roll Meets Contemporary Dance

That’s not all. The program kicks off with McIntyre’s Mayday, an emotionally charged work set to the iconic music of Buddy Holly. McIntyre is known for his ability to blend storytelling with inventive, unexpected movement, and Mayday is no exception. It’s Americana with a twist—both nostalgic and fresh at the same time.

McIntyre said that when he’s creating, he often feels “like an archaeologist on the path toward being a choreographer.” For Ma Maison, that meant doing a deep dive into the spirit of the Crescent City. “I spent a great deal of time in New Orleans with the mindset of this piece, speaking to people who are experts and cultural bearers in the city to make sure that I was getting it right,” he explained.

“Every company that I work with in a dance piece has its own unique way of movement and its own unique personality,” McIntyre said. “BODYTRAFFIC in particular is full of dancers who are at the top of their game, both technically and as artists. They have approached this work with such full-bodied openness and are quite simply having a very good time dancing it.”

The BODYTRAFFIC Experience

If you’ve never seen BODYTRAFFIC live, you’re in for a treat. The dancers are known for their versatility, slipping seamlessly from heart-pounding choreography to playful, theatrical storytelling. One moment, they’re fierce and athletic; the next, they’re charming and full of mischief.

“For the most part, I’m quite exacting about what the actual movement is,

but within this piece especially, there are sometimes movement or shape challenges that they are required to fill in the blanks for and to create within the moment,” McIntyre explained. “The dancers are these jangly skeletons, and the looseness required to convey this relies on a dancer’s ability to play within a movement phrase.”

Even the dancers’ Los Angeles roots shaped the process. “The city of Los Angeles recently went through a fairly major devastation from wildfires,” McIntyre said. “I think that’s been somewhat helpful in informing these young dancers’ perception of the disaster that happened around Katrina. We actually first started rehearsing the piece shortly after the fires here had ended.”

BODYTRAFFIC isn’t just an L.A. sensation, though. They’ve toured across 30 states and more than 20 countries, even serving as cultural ambassadors for the United States. Wherever they go, they bring the spirit of L.A. with them. Through outreach programs, master classes, and youth mentorship, BODYTRAFFIC continues to inspire the next generation of dancers, proving that dance isn’t just performance but also a way to build community.

Why This Show Matters

In a world where streaming and scrolling compete for our attention, BODYTRAFFIC reminds us why live performance is irreplaceable. And for New Orleans, this night will be especially meaningful. The 20th anniversary of Hurricane Katrina was a moment for reflection, remembrance, and celebration of just how far the city has come.

Through McIntyre’s choreography, Preservation Hall’s music, and BODYTRAFFIC’s fearless dancers, the evening will become a testament to the Crescent City’s unbreakable spirit.

FAERIE PLAYHOUSE

The Fairy Tale of New Orleans

By Beauregard Tye

The ancient traditional Celtic New Year celebration has passed us by, marking the end of summer and the harvest and girding communities for the hard winter ahead.

Although Samhain is no longer thought to occasion visits from fairies roaming the world of men, they have long had a year-round home in New Orleans—a pink, heart-covered 1844 Creole cottage on Esplanade Avenue, long known as the Faerie Playhouse.

The building was the home of activist Stewart P. Butler and his lifemate Alfred Doolittle, beginning in 1979. Its name apparently was inspired by a play written by Doolittle called Peter Puck, which was performed for the first (and last) time in the building’s backyard in the summer of 1992.

The building has many of the features associated with a Creole cottage, a style of architecture popular in New Orleans in the late 1700s and early 1800s. It is one and a half stories high, has a pitched roof with the ridgeline parallel to the street, and has four openings on the façade with shutters. The main floor is two rooms wide and two rooms deep with a pair of smaller storage areas referred to as cabinets located at the rear of the structure. There are no interior hallways. It is not any quality of the physical structure of the place that makes it particularly memorable, however, but rather that of the lives that have been lived there.

For over 40 years, Butler was involved with many groups, including the Louisiana Lesbian and Gay Political Action Caucus, Parents and Friends of Lesbians and Gays, the New Orleans LGBT Community Center, the Gertrude Stein Society, and the LGBT+ Archives Project of Louisiana. He also received an award from the ACLU of Louisiana for his work. Many strategy meetings, as well as social celebrations, took place at the home of Doolittle and Butler—the house acting more or less as a community center for many years.

A memorial garden in the back yard contains the cremated remains of Doolittle, Stewart, and many of their friends and fellow activists. Among them are: artist John J. Ognibene; retired US Army captain John H. Foster; computer technician Carlos Clifton Howard Jr.; companions

Jack “Ruby” Gentry and Paul Joseph “Pogo” Orfila; Blanchard “Skip” Ward, co-founder of the Unitarian/Universalist Church’s Gay Caucus and publisher of Le Beau Monde; painter Elwood Richardson; and homebuilder Rich Magill, a veteran of the United States Air Force. All of them had been trailblazers in fighting for the rights of their community.

Charlene Schneider, the owner and operator of the iconic lesbian bar on Elysian Fields that bore her name for more than two decades, joined them after succumbing to cancer in 2006. In its heyday, her place had hosted young Ellen DeGeneres and Melissa Etheridge.

In April 2024, a second line and celebration of life for Otis Fennell, former owner of the queer bookstore Frenchmen Art & Books—one of the first such businesses in the South—was held at the Faerie Playhouse.

After his unsolved 2002 murder, the ashes of artist John Burton Harter were interred in the memorial garden. You can see Harter’s portrait of Butler as Dame Edna on a virtual tour of the building created by the National Park Service. The tour is the first of a planned series of sites related to LGBTQ history and can be found on the Faerie Playhouse’s website. A private exhibition of Harter’s paintings, on loan from the Faerie Playhouse, was put on prior to the annual meeting of the LGBT+ Archives Project of Louisiana in June 2025.

Butler was involved in activism and community-building until his very last days, staying active in PFLAG and as a part of St. Anna’s congregation. Having survived Doolittle, he left the Faerie Playhouse to St. Anna’s Episcopal Church in his will, with the aim to support St. Anna’s ministry to LGBTQ+ communities.

A nonprofit organization called the Faerie Playhouse was formed by friends and admirers of Butler and Doolittle in 2024 with a mission to preserve the house and commemorate the work that was done by the couple and their community. The significance of the house, as well as its occupants, to LGBTQ+ history in New Orleans has the potential to inspire and educate younger generations who are working for civil and human rights.

Though the organization’s website states that efforts are underway to gain the Faerie Playhouse official designation as a local historic landmark through the New Orleans Historic District Landmark Commission, as yet, such standing exists unfortunately only in the “Land of Make-Believe.” A communication from the Faerie Playhouse board confirmed that no nomination forms for landmark designation have been submitted at the present time. Possibly, St. Anna’s ownership of the property presents a complication for that effort.

The house still hosts regular monthly board meetings for the LGBT+ Archives Project of Louisiana and the Faerie Playhouse organization. The couple’s circle of close friends continue to have occasional social gatherings there, as well. In February 2025, the organization hosted an event at the nearby Dodwell House community center called “Love Letters to the Faerie Playhouse,” where members of the public created Valentine’s to show their love for Butler and Doolittle, as well as the couple’s home. The Valentine’s were displayed at a memorial service for the inurnment of Stewart Butler’s cremains at the Faerie Playhouse one week later.

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TURKEY DAY ��

By Beauregard Tye

A Vegan Thanksgiving—New Orleans-style

As Americans nationwide look forward to our annual holiday devoted to overeating that is informally known as Turkey Day, what sort of meal can those of us who follow a plant-based diet feast upon?

Whether opting for traditional dishes, such as corn on the cob, Stove Top stuffing, and cranberry sauce, or something that rewrites the holiday menu completely, abandoning a meat-based meal plan will add a taste of culinary adventure to your celebration that can be hearty, satisfying, and delicious, not to mention give turkeys something to be thankful for, too.

Rebecca Deubell, a certified local chocolatier, as well as a pâtissier at the Louisiana Pizza Kitchen in the French Quarter, said that for the big holiday meals, she leaves the menu planning to others.

“I tend to bake for Thanksgiving and not cook as I often am blessed with an invite, and my hosts enjoy taking up the challenge of feeding me,” Deubell said. “Over the years, I’ve had the pleasure of being treated to tofu adobo (a vegan version of a classic Filipino dish, consisting of tofu cooked in a sweet tangy sauce with a vinegar base), coconut sweet potatoes, stuffed winter squash, and red beans, to name a few.”

No doubt Deubell never lacks for dinner invitations, because she can be relied on to bring a jaw-dropping dessert since she’s also the operator of Deux Belle Vegan Pastry and Confections. Her dessert catering service offers special products for the holidays, as well, including artisan chocolate boxes for Halloween and Christmas. All the stops are pulled out for Thanksgiving, and the desserts on offer include pumpkin cheesecake with coconut caramel and candied pecans, as well as a pumpkin cake with rum buttercream.

“I bake an apple pie most years and

then walk the bayou to Easton Park for the Human Horse Races,” Deubell said, referring to a local fundraiser to benefit horse sanctuaries that’s been held annually on Thanksgiving since 2019. “Last year, we baked vegan treats—brownies, cookies, and nut brittle—for the VIP tent.” The veteran baker is not averse to providing a sumptuous savory dish, either. “I’d love to tackle a vegetable pot pie,” she said.

Deubell’s advice to anyone trying to create a vegan Thanksgiving meal is to build on a full menu over several years, try out your recipes, and prep ahead of time to reduce stress. If you’re an experienced cook, make a day of it and test out a few dishes on friends and family over a couple bottles of wine. If, like Deubell, you’re a vegan going to the home of friends and family who don’t have plant-based diets, she suggests taking the opportunity to outreach with a vegan dish or dessert.

Other vegans attending the Human Horse Races, which are foot races between people in horse costumes with human riders, will be

able to find more than desserts available to eat. Tanjariné Kitchen, one of the many vendors selling food or art at the races, is a popular favorite at the event, according to its founder Ingrid Anderson. The food truck serves up vibrant, African-inspired, plantbased dishes including steamed beans pudding and mushroom palm oil stew that even the

most dedicated carnivores love, along with sides and snacks such as fried plantains and vegan jerky. “Their highlighted dish is their Mandela burger, which is a bean-based burger,” Anderson said, adding that the plant-based burgers are as big a hit with omnivores as they are with vegans.

While it’s not a strictly vegan event, the organizer said that they’re proud to be vegan-friendly.

“Years ago, I’d spend Thanksgiving at the racetrack,” Anderson recalled. “Not for the races, but for the fashion, the mingling, and the spectacle.

One year, a vegan friend refused to go because of the racing, and I realized there was no alternative event with

the same energy. That’s when the lightbulb went off: Why not create a playful parody where people dress as the horses and race each other? I’m passionate about taking that opportunity of getting so many people together in one place to raise money or awareness for a good cause. It made total sense to make this event a fundraiser to help horses in Louisiana.” Anderson is not vegan or vegetarian, but has some commonality with those who follow a plant-based diet, having a lot of dietary restrictions including prohibitions of dairy and gluten. The artist and activist understands the importance of planning a menu for specialized diets and is devoted to creating an inclusive, vegan-friendly event so everyone can celebrate together.

“These days, my Thanksgiving table is the Human Horse Races—we’re cooking up an entire event instead of a meal,” Anderson quipped. “But if I were hosting a vegan holiday, I’d focus on dishes that feel just as abundant and celebratory as a traditional spread. Think roasted root vegetables with herbs, a colorful stuffed squash as the centerpiece, and decadent sides like vegan mac ‘n’ cheese or mushroom gravy over fluffy mashed potatoes. Finish it all with a spiced pumpkin pie or apple crumble, and you’ve got a feast everyone, vegan or not, will want seconds of.”

The Sixth Annual Human Horse Races will take place on November 27 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Easton Park, located at 3141 Toulouse St. in Mid-City. It will benefit Greeno Equine Sanctuary in LeBlanc, LA. A musical performance by the Dapper Dandies is planned.

P.I.E. = PERSONALITY IDENTITY

ESTIMATOR

By Julie Mitchell

What the Pie You Bring to Thanksgiving Says About You

Thanksgiving is a time of family, food, arguments, reconnections, history, and pie.

If that sounds like a lot, it is.

Thanksgiving is when we see people we haven’t seen in a while, celebrate with friends we see all the time, or remember genocide. However you do it, it’s very likely there is going to be pie. Pie at Thanksgiving is like a gun in a Chekhov play—important and foretelling. Pie inspires arguments and emotions like no other. You bring different kinds of cake, people are singing “Kumbaya” and holding hands. If you bring the wrong kind of pie—a pie that no one else likes—then get ready to enter what can only be described as an emotional gauntlet. There is no right answer to the eternal question, “What pie is best?” But, like the universe, there are only numerous paths that all have their own meaning. Who am I? What kind of pie do I like? Lucky for you, the answers are one in the same. Please use this guide with self-awareness and care.

Apple: Traditional. A bit boring, but it’s popular for a reason. You’re scared to make your own decisions and haven’t asked yourself if who you are is who you wanted to be or what everyone around you wanted. You have one living grandma, but it’s not looking good. Every year on Mardi Gras, you wear a shirt from Perlis.

Pumpkin: Dependable. People count on you and trust you with their children. You have done a lot and don’t really understand why it’s such a big deal to others. Can’t they just do stuff, too? You always make everything work and figure it out, so why can’t they? You’re the Kajun’s Pub of your family.

Cherry: Slightly controversial. You’ve cheated before, but the circumstances were complicated. You’re “no contact” with at least one family member, but the reasons make a ton of sense. You like reading really dark books and answer questions kind of cryptically, but you are very ready to cry if someone would actually listen. Like frozen ravioli at a crawfish boil, people are skeptical, but it always works out.

Lemon Chess: Sexy. Perfect. Everyone loves you, and no one talks about you behind your back. You’re the artist of the family. Uncles make fun of you, but it’s clear they are a little jealous. They associate the kind of freedom you have in your life only with their childhood, which is very sad. You are the spiritual opposite of LaToya Cantrell.

Chocolate Chess: A go getter and a fire starter. You break the mold and rebuild but not always for the better. You’re kind of good and bad at the same time. You always have a car that works, and people ask you for help but never advice. You are sort of a Baldwin & Co. bookstore for Gene’s situation. You are a marker of gentrification.

Sweet Potato: The backbone of the family. You’re not attending Thanksgiving. You’re hosting. They’re all coming to you. You are Thanksgiving. Without you, these bitches wouldn’t have two drumsticks to rub together. Please make sure you sit for at least 15 minutes every hour and, after 30, start stretching. You have a lot of opinions about daiquiri shops, and they’re all in Kenner (brah).

Some Kind of Coconut: Rich aunt energy. You don’t know about anyone’s allergies and didn’t ask. You also have an extensive scarf collection and are a Fifi Mahony’s regular.

Quiche: Contrarian. You registered as an independent in high school because you didn’t like labels. You argue, “It just said pie. It didn’t say dessert. This is a pie crust.” Your “For You” page has a lot of videos about autism that really resonate with you. The definitions are expanding, and it’s a spectrum. The quiche is really good, and people will get over it. You are the person who coined “Bunarchy.”

Berry: Angel. You’re probably the baby of the family and probably the one with a Costco membership. You’re very diplomatic and above it all. You’ve seen more s**t than anyone, and that’s why you’re able to stay grounded, but you’re also a little whiny. You’re really into animation and have a water meter tattoo.

Peach: You’re only at Thanksgiving for a few hours because, every year, you take yourself to the beach. You’ve done The Artist’s Way two times, and you’re gearing up for a third. You brought vanilla ice cream and whipped cream because you wanted everyone to have something they liked. Romantic relationships don’t define you. The 18 hours a week Domilise’s is open is enough for you, and you always make it.

Meringue: You always argued with teachers, but you were always right. You would be great at gardening, if you had a garden. You’re not conflict avoidant but often let things go. You’re very accepting, curious, and open. You can’t make it through a new TV show to save your life. You live in the Bywater but are moving to Algiers Point.

We hope this has been illuminating and that you embrace your pie, whatever it may be. As John F. Kennedy once said, “Liberty without learning is always in peril, and learning without liberty is always in vain.” It’s clear that applies to pie, as well. Pie without crust is jam, and crust without pie is a scone.

It is the hope you can take what you learned here and bring it to your own families, your own tables, and have desserts all across this land resound with a new harmony—the harmony of knowing oneself. God bless pie, and Happy Thanksgiving.

CUISINE IN BALANCE

New Orleans Chefs Share Their Favorite Thanksgiving Side Dishes

While there’s never any lack of delicious food in New Orleans restaurants, winter holidays always provide a chance to gather your loved ones and enjoy a big, homecooked meal.

With that in mind, Where Y’at asked some chef friends to share their favorite Thanksgiving side dishes to provide some inspiration for your own kitchen and dining room tables.

ADAM BIDERMAN | THE COMPANY BURGER

Sweet Potato Soufflé

“It’s savory, but pecans and brown sugar offset it, kinda like [a] first dessert but not that sweet. [It has] a little bit of rise, so it’s not as dense as typical sweet potatoes.” Biderman spins glazed sweet potatoes and classic New Orleans sweet potato casserole into a soufflé with some evaporated milk alongside the expected ingredients. “We only have this on Thanksgiving, my family’s most sacred holiday. Any other time just feels wrong.”

ALFREDO NOGUEIRA | CANE & TABLE

“Simple” Gravy

Nogueira swears by his gravy. “I’m very proud of it. It has bacon and turkey liver and tastes very similar to Popeyes’ gravy.”

AOM SRISUK | GOOD CATCH THAI URBAN BISTRO Massaman Curry Roasted Sweet Potato Boats

Srisuk makes sweet potato “boats” by slicing baked sweet potatoes in half and then mashing each half a little bit with a fork. She then tops them with a traditional Thai massaman curry. “It’s a natural fit for Thanksgiving because of its warming spices: cardamom, cinnamon, clove, nutmeg, and star anise.”

CRISTINA QUACKENBUSH | TATLO

Fresh Cauliflower Salad

Quackenbush makes this annually for her family by cutting fresh cauliflower into bite-size pieces and mixing with crisp bacon, thinly sliced red onion, and plenty of shaved parmesan. She coats it with a creamy, tangy dressing made of Blue Plate, vinegar, sugar, and black pepper. “[I] heavy hand with the black pepper. Thanksgiving sides don’t have to be complicated or fussy. Sometimes simple ingredients and a great sauce are all you need to make something memorable.”

ERIC COOK | GRIS-GRIS

Grandma’s Oyster Dressing

Cook loves making his grandmother’s dressing. He makes sure to put it out last and watch everyone smile when it hits the table. The dish is primarily local French bread and fresh, salty Gulf oysters. “Nothing can compare to the smell of bacon rendering with garlic and butter coming together—a timeless family tradition.”

By Andrew Marin

JACQUES LEONARDI | JACQUES-IMO’S CAFÉ

Dirty Macaroni and Cheese

“I make a dirty rice meat mixture—no rice this time—and add it to a traditional mac and cheese,” Leonardi smiled knowingly.

JASON GOODENOUGH | GOODENOUGH EVENTS Creamed Corn

Goodenough cuts fresh sweet corn off their cobs and puts it in a high-sided pan. He adds heavy cream to level with the top, brings to a boil, and drops the boil to a simmer for 30 to 45 minutes. Then, he food processes half the mixture and combines it with the remaining corn and a little salt. “It’s my kids’ favorite Thanksgiving side dish. It kind of runs against my beliefs as a chef about seasonality, but my kids eat a lot of stuff I don’t really agree with.”

MASON HEREFORD | TURKEY AND THE WOLF

Chicken Wing and Sausage Stuffing/Dressing

You can follow Hereford’s evolution as a cook by the stuffings from his first five Thanksgivings as a professional chef. “I started at showy and ended at Stove Top, but, you know, the good homemade kind. Now, I go in the middle and make this stuffing, or dressing because Louisiana—big flavors. It includes hot dog buns, winter herbs, Totole Chicken Powder, meat from chicken wings, and juicy, porky nugs of Jimmy Dean—the best sausage on the planet.” Hereford also encourages that we “break whatever national puritanical fever has convinced us that stuffing should only be made once a year.”

NATHAN BARFIELD | HOT STUFF

Roasted Sweet Potatoes

Barfield loves to break out a charcoal grill for Thanksgiving. “You can bury your sweet potatoes in the coals while you grill or smoke a turkey. The char and smoke flavor nicely cut through the richness of a Thanksgiving meal.”

NIKKI CABRERA MILLS | PÊCHE SEAFOOD GRILL

Soy Sauce & Chicken Liver Gravy with Cauliflower Gratin Mills honors her Filipina heritage with a lechon-style turkey complemented with a gravy made from Silver Swan soy sauce and chicken livers. The classic Pêche cauliflower gratin is also a Thanksgiving staple her family expects. “It’s like mac and cheese but with cauliflower, rice, and fontina cheese. It’s labor-intensive, but it makes an appearance at my house on Thanksgiving.”

SHIRLEY LEE | MISS SHIRLEY’S CHINESE RESTAURANT

Green Bean Salad, Sticky Rice Stuffing, Mashed Mirlitons Miss Lee puts her own spin on Thanksgiving essentials. “People like to bake green beans, but I do mine as a salad.” She serves hers cold with lemon, cilantro, garlic, soy sauce, and sesame oil. Her stuffing is steamed sticky rice with Chinese sausage, dried mushrooms, and dried shrimp “inside the bird.” She also mashes mirlitons with dried shrimp, bacon fat, reduced chicken stock, and diced Chinese shiitake mushrooms. “I season both hot dishes with salt, pepper, and just a little bit of oyster sauce.”

SOPHINA UONG | MISTER MAO

Spicy Satsuma Salad

Uong’s love for spicy, bold flavors and varied textures is even in her salads. This one is fresh satsumas tossed with fried garlic oil, chopped hot chilies, scallions, cilantro, gray salt, “and some crispy shallots you steal from the green casserole.”

TODD PULSINELLI | LEBLANC & SMITH

Loaded Cranberry Sauce

Pulsinelli elevates classic cranberry sauce with simple twists. “When I make it, I load it with orange juice and fine-diced jalapeño. [It] really takes it to a new level.”

THE SOUL OF THE SIDE DISH

How New Orleans Keeps Culinary Traditions Alive Through the Extras

In New Orleans, food is never just food. It’s history, identity, and story.

By Michelle Nicholson

While the spotlight often shines on gumbo, po-boys, or red beans, some of the city’s deepest traditions live in the side dishes. They’re where African, Indigenous, and European influences converge, carried forward by generations who made the most of what they had. In a city where the kitchen is as much a gathering space as the front porch, these sides tell us who we are and where we’ve been.

Take maque choux (mock-shoe), for example. This Creole classic blends Indigenous corn stews with French and Spanish flavors, making it the perfect dish for long Louisiana summers. Picture fresh corn kernels cut right off the cob, sautéed in butter with sweet bell peppers and tomatoes, then simmered just long enough to soften into a creamy, colorful stew. Sometimes, chefs splash in a little stock or cream to coax the vegetables into a silky base. It’s simple, rustic, and bright—comfort food that hums with history.

At Brennan’s, maque choux is a dinner-menu staple, dressed up just enough for the white-tablecloth setting. At The Gumbo Shop, it shows up as a trusty side dish, while Jacques-Imo’s and Ye Olde College Inn lean on it to round out their Gulf fish entrées. Even Briquette nods to tradition with its crab Napoleon appetizer layered over maque choux, proving this humble side can hold its own in fine dining.

Dirty rice, on the other hand, tells a story of thrift and creativity. Born in kitchens where every scrap counted, it turns plain white rice into something hearty enough to anchor a plate. The “dirty” comes from the browned bits of chicken livers, ground meat, and the holy trinity of onion, celery, and bell pepper, all sautéed until the rice takes on a peppery, earthy depth. Spices, such as cayenne and thyme, make it hum, and a sprinkle of parsley at the end freshens up the whole pot. It’s the kind of dish that feeds a crowd and still feels celebratory.

Today, GW Fins gives dirty rice a refined twist by serving it with collard greens as a combined side, while Toup’s Meatery doubles down on its meaty richness. Lil’ Dizzy’s keeps it soulful, pairing their dirty rice with golden fried chicken, just like generations of Black Creole kitchens before them. For a grab-and-go fix, Verti Marte has long been the spot to pick up a hot box of dirty rice on the run.

Then there’s mirliton, a holiday table heavyweight in New Orleans that can be made into casseroles. Called “chayote” in most of the country, this pear-shaped squash is baked into casseroles that feel as essential to the holiday season as turkey or ham. The routine is almost ritual: boil the squash until tender, scoop out the flesh, and sauté it with onions, garlic, breadcrumbs, and seafood or sausage. That savory stuffing goes right back into the mirliton shells or gets layered into a casserole dish, baked until golden on top and bubbling at the edges.

Bourbon House takes the tradition upscale by stuffing Gulf fish with shrimp and tasso mirliton dressing. Harbor Seafood in Kenner sells whole dinners featuring two stuffed mirlitons bursting with crab, shrimp, and sausage, while Captain Sid’s in Bucktown keeps them in the case by the pound for anyone who wants to bring the flavor home.

And then there are the greens—mustard, turnip, collards—slow-cooked until tender in a pot with smoked pork or turkey and the juices rich enough to mop up with cornbread. Seasoned with garlic, onion, and vinegar, they balance smoky,

salty, tangy, and earthy all in one bite. Good greens can’t be rushed. They need time to simmer low and slow until every bite tastes layered and soulful. Each variety brings its own personality to the pot—mustard greens with their peppery bite, turnip greens with their earthy and slightly bitter tang, and collards with their sturdier leaves that mellow into sweetness the longer they cook.

Riteway Soul Foods is famous for its mustard greens, ladled into Styrofoam plates of soul food staples, and Chef Ron’s Gumbo Stop offers mustard greens alongside seafood platters, keeping the tradition alive in a casual setting. Mother’s serves turnip greens alongside roast beef po-boys and jambalaya, a reminder that no plate is complete without something green. Cochon takes collards in a porkier direction, braising them with bacon until they’re glossy and rich, while Turkey and the Wolf transforms collards into a gooey grilled cheese melt that’s as playful as it is reverent.

Together, these side dishes prove that the soul of New Orleans cooking doesn’t always sit at the center of the table. They’re cultural signposts, showing how traditions adapt to new kitchens and still taste like home. From white-tablecloth Creole institutions to momand-pop joints and neighborhood cafés, these sides remind us that a meal is more than fuel—it’s a gathering and a way of keeping culture alive.

So the next time you’re tucking into fried chicken, a platter of Gulf fish, or even just a plate lunch, pay attention to what’s on the side. In New Orleans, the extras aren’t extra at all. They’re the soul of the meal—the flavors that carry history forward, bind families together, and keep the city’s story simmering, one bite at a time.

FOOD NEWS

Canary in Spanish Plaza . . . They say forgiveness is a gift we give ourselves, so instead of swallowing that oh-so bitter pill, allow your taste buds some grace for Chef John Besh’s new restaurant on the Riverfront. Inspired by the Isleños fishing and hunting communities in St. Bernard Parish, Delacroix Restaurant’s menu features Caldo Isleño soup with corn, lima, green beans, sweet potatoes, and pork or Creole crab and shrimp stuffed pistolettes. Besh’s elevated fish camp cuisine could be the boon the Riverwalk needs. That is, if we’re willing to let it go. 1 Poydras St. Spc. 1005, (504) 655-9002, delacroixrestaurant.com

By Kim Ranjbar

Southern spice . . . Because there can never be enough fried chicken sandwiches in the city, Blazin’ Hot Chicken recently opened in the former Chicken & Sides building on Canal Street. This is the fifth location for the Lake Charles-born franchise, with a sixth opening soon in Shreveport. Offering Nashville-style hot fried chicken sandwiches, Blazin’ Hot also features mac ‘n’ cheese crunchwraps, loaded waffle fries topped with chicken tenders, and creamy shakes. Diners can customize their spice with six different levels, ranging from their signature “Blazin’ Hot” all the way to “Country,” which is just another way of saying “Cane’s.” 2323 Canal St., (504) 393-2595, blazinhotchicken.com

Crossing the pond . . . The Northshore now boasts a brand-new restaurant located in Covington’s Historic District. The Hampshire launched at the tail-end of summer with a debut wine dinner. Chef Ryan Gall, formerly at Tchefuncte Restaurant and the now defunct Salú Bistro and Bar, leads the kitchen, offering steak and lots of Louisiana seafood. Menu items include grilled swordfish, tuna sashimi, and a classic Steak Diane.

401 N. New Hampshire St., Covington, (985) 234-9339, 401thehampshire.com

Suburban spice . . . Viral Bywater sensation Jamaican Jerk House has expanded its sticky finger goodness into the ‘burbs, opening a second location in Metairie on Veterans Memorial Boulevard. Kingston-native Richard Rose and his wife Jackie Diaz launched their flagship location in 2021 on St. Claude Avenue, and the neighborhood hungrily embraced their arrival while devouring jerk chicken, shrimp, ribs, oxtail, fish, and curry by the boxful. Opened only a short while ago in the former Out of Bounds Sports Bar & Grill, Jamaican Jerk House has quickly become a Metairie hot-spot for authentic and delicious Jamaican cuisine.

4445 Veterans Memorial Blvd., Metairie, @bestjerkhouse

A sea of beauties Nanami is a brand-new sushi joint that recently opened up on Magazine Street. Located in the former building that housed Lemon Shark Poke, Nanami Sushi Diner & Onigiri is rounding out the offerings at the Magazine Commons courtyard. In addition to fresh sushi, featured items include Japanese karaage (soy marinated and fried) chicken, those conbini snack favorites, onigiri, and omakase (or a chefcurated tasting menu).

2901 Magazine St., (504) 354-8039, @nanamiuptown

Final frontier . . . It’s not outer space. It’s only the Westbank. The old K&G Fashion Superstore on Manhattan Boulevard has been transformed into Space 5 Korean BBQ, Sushi, & Hot Pot, an all-you-can-eat, buffet-style Korean smorgasbord. Sporting an astronomical theme and low-g atmosphere, the restaurant offers sushi, Korean BBQ, and hot pot, but, be forewarned, everyone at your table has to stay in the same theme. Eat, explore, and may you have like-minded friends. 1723 Manhattan Blvd., Ste. C, (504) 354-8654, space5koreanbbqandhotpot.toast.site

Is it getting hot in here? . . . Irvine, California-based franchise 85°C Bakery Cafe, founded by Cheng-Hseuh Wu in 2003 and with over 1000 locations across the globe, has finally made its way down to Greater New Orleans. Recently opened inside an old T-Mobile store on Veterans Boulevard, the bakery chain offers a wide array of Chinese and French-inspired baked goods from choco buns with Oreo cookie crumbs and custard buns to Danishes, croissants, and cruffins.

4025 Veterans Memorial Blvd., Metairie, (504) 4955118, 85cbakerycafe.com

The Point is hoppin’ . . . Chef Aaron Miller has found permanent digs for his Okay Bar pop-up @rabbitholesupperclub in the tiny but popular neighborhood of Algiers Point. Launched in the space on Verret Street that formerly held French restaurant Tonti’s Hand, the furry, formerly-named supper club is now the Drift Inn Diner Chef Miller has all kinds of diner-esque delicacies at the Inn from burgers and fries and full greasy breakfasts to fountain sodas and shakes. Put your poodle skirt on and cross the river, why don’t ya?

323 Verret St., (504) 345-2778, driftinndiner.com/ home

Honorably French? . . . A brand-new place to brunch called Izzat NOLA recently opened up on the edge of the French Quarter. Located in the space that formerly housed Papa’s Pizza & Subs, the new breakfast and lunch spot is open all day long, offering French-inspired foodstuffs with dishes of pain perdu and eggs sardou for breakfast, Monte Cristos and croque madames for lunch, and steak frites or lamb chops for dinner.

403 Iberville St., (504) 513-4128, izzatnola.com

C is for cool . . . There’s a new sno-ball stand in town—well, just outside of town and way over in Westwego. Dubbed Subzero Snowballs, it’s well-worth a trip across the river to check out this family-owned stand serving icy flavors from Bahama Mama and birthday cake to lime, melon berry, and sour watermelon. Subzero is also slinging nachos, soft serve ice cream and shakes, gourmet cookies, and rolled ice cream. Even more interesting, the stand offers a slew of lemonades, from peach and strawberry to blue raspberry, and what they refer to as “loaded” teas in flavors such as gummi bear and Fruit Roll-Up to Captain America and Dole Whip. 974 Avenue C, Westwego, (504) 909-9745, @subzerosnowballs

Powder me up . . . The eighth annual Beignet Fest has built a stellar lineup for this year’s event. On Saturday, November 15, there will be 40 different types of beignets offered from vendors including Diva Dawg, Jessie’s HuckABucks, Loretta’s Authentic Pralines, Mima’s Cuisine, Ruby Slipper, Southern’s, The Vintage, and more. Get stuffed at New Orleans City Park while enjoying music from local performers such as Marc Broussard and the Rebirth Brass Band. beignetfest.com

FOOD NEWS

RESTAURANT GUIDE

AMERICAN

Anita’s Grill has returned and is serving its delicious breakfast menu and more to hungry locals. Anita’s opened in 1922 before becoming Anita’s Grill in 1959. It has a variety of comfort foods, including po-boys, French toast, omelets, and more. 833 Howard Ave., (504) 354-8979, anitasgrillnola.com

Bearcat Cafe is a brunch favorite, known for its split-personality menu with something for every appetite. The “Good Cat” menu offers lighter, health-conscious options, while the “Bad Cat” menu features rich, indulgent dishes. Head to Bearcat to please every appetite. Multiple Locations, bearcatcafe. com

Chicken Salad Chick brings its Southernstyle chicken salads to its first-ever New Orleans-area location. The chain offers over a dozen rotating menu varieties, including the Southwest Senorita, as well as sandwiches, soups, and signature sides made fresh daily. 3005 Veterans Memorial Blvd., Metairie, (504) 350-2726, chickensaladchick.com

Daisy Dukes Restaurant is famous for its all-day breakfast, Southern comfort classics including their chicken and waffles, and signature Cajun Bloody Mary. With several convenient locations, Daisy Dukes keeps it simple with “nuttin’ fancy, just great Southern eatin,” every time. Multiple Locations, daisydukesrestaurant.com

Dat Dog puts a playful twist on hot dogs with creative toppings and sausages. Their menu features crawfish and alligator sausages, to classic beef dogs. Come on down for a unique NOLA dog that leaves you begging for more. Multiple Locations, datdog.com

Jack Rose, located inside the Pontchartrain Hotel, incorporates a mix of French, Spanish, Italian, and Southern dishes such as duck and andouille gumbo, fried chicken parmesan, and more. Jack Rose offers a variety of beers, wines, spirits, and craft cocktails. 2031 St. Charles Ave., (504) 608-7112, jackroserestaurant.com

Jimmy J’s Café delivers standout brunch classics in a homey space. Popular picks include shrimp and crawfish omelets and the Cajun Cuban sandwich. Known for fast service and generous portions, this café draws in lines for good reason. 115 Chartres St., (504) 309-9360, jimmyjscafe.com

Legacy Kitchen Craft Tavern serves brunch, lunch, dinner, and happy hour daily. Its menu includes a seared tuna salad, shrimp and grits, crawfish beignet bites, and roast beef po-boys, alongside many other craft cocktails and Southern-style small plates. 700 Tchoupitoulas St. #3612, (504) 6132350, legacykitchen.com

Legacy Kitchen Steak + Chop offers a full steakhouse menu with options such as a tomahawk, seafood, and oysters. Daily happy hour is served, alongside weekly steak

specials. The restaurant features a central bar, outdoor seating, and a spacious dining room. 91 Westbank Expy., Gretna, (504) 6086082, legacykitchen.com

Luke is a brasserie-style restaurant in New Orleans that blends French, German, and Creole influences, offering house-made sausages, schnitzel, and an oyster bar. It’s known for its daily discounted raw oysters and drink specials that reflect the creative spirit of NOLA. 333 St. Charles Ave., 504 3782840, lukeneworleans.com

Moe’s Original BBQ serves Alabamastyle BBQ in a lively, wood-paneled space with picnic tables and sports on TV. Slowsmoked pulled pork, fried catfish, and many other different platters anchor the menu, alongside Southern sides including potato salad and cornbread. 1101 N. Causeway Blvd., Metairie, (504) 407-3533, moesoriginalbbq.com

New Orleans Vampire Café welcomes mortals and vampires alike to its dimly lit lair. The café serves dishes including “vampire” burgers and “blood bag” cocktails. They provide gold utensils to protect nocturnal guests, completing the immersive, otherworldly dining experience. 801 Royal St., (504) 581-0801, nolavampirecafe.com

NOLA Steak is Boomtown Casino’s steakhouse, serving large cuts such as the 14-oz. NOLA strip, 16-oz. ribeye, and 18-oz. cowboy steak. It’s a go-to spot for casino regulars looking for a solid dinner. Open Thursday through Saturday evenings. 4132 Peters Rd., Harvey, (504) 366-7711, boomtownneworleans.com/dining

Short Stop Poboys is a family-run shop that offers more than 30 po-boy variations to choose from. The menu also features gumbo, jambalaya, and house-baked desserts. The setup is simple, and the focus is firmly on the food. 119 Transcontinental Dr., Metairie, (504) 885-4572, shortstoppoboysno.com

Spudly’s Super Spuds has been serving oversized baked potatoes and comfort food in Metairie since 1980. Alongside classic spuds topped with seafood, cheese sauce, and BBQ, the menu includes the Super Duper Spud— loaded with crabmeat, shrimp, crawfish, and cheese. 2609 Harvard Ave., Metairie, (504) 455-3250, spudlys.com

The Country Club serves everything from Gulf seafood, pastas, delicious entree plates including the duck ragù, and brunch favorites. They hold weekend drag brunches, and their pool and cabana service make it a unique New Orleans retreat. 634 Louisa St., (504) 9450742, thecountryclubneworleans.com

Vampire Apothecary serves cocktails, tea, and New American dishes in a gothic-inspired space just off Jackson Square. Menu highlights include baked salmon, duck pastrami paninis, seafood nachos and fresh Gulf oysters on

the half shell, either a dozen or halfdozen. 725 St. Peter St., (504) 766-8179, vampireapothecary. com

ASIAN

Asia, nestled inside of Boomtown Casino, offers a casual spot serving a variety of Asian favorites. Dishes include Vietnamese rice noodle soup, shaking beef, and grilled pork. Asia is open for dine-in and to-go service, offering plenty of options to enjoy. 4132 Peters Rd., Harvey, (504) 364-8812, boomtownneworleans.com/dining

Mantra Original Indian Cuisine brings the flavors of the Punjab region to Metairie. Consider ordering a tandoori special, including sheekh kabab and lasuni chicken, or any of their delicious vegetarian entrees. Wash down the heat with a refreshing lassi drink. T3116 S I-10 Service Rd. W E, Metairie, (504) 3548349, mantraoriginalindiancuisine.com

Mikimoto Restaurant serves contemporary Japanese cuisine. Known for its fresh sushi, creative rolls, and delicious entree dishes, the kitchen also crafts specials such as the sashimi platter. Regulars rave about the quality and presentation, making it a go-to spot. 3301 S. Carrollton Ave., (504) 488-1881, mikimotosushi.com

Thai’d Up is a small Gentilly restaurant serving up bold Thai dishes including kai yang grilled chicken. The space fills quickly thanks to its well-spiced curries, fresh rolls, and specialty beignets. Their chef delivers balanced and truly delicious plates. 1839 Gentilly Blvd., (504) 644-5790, thaidup.co

BARS WITH GREAT FOOD

JB’s Fuel Dock is a casual seafood spot near West End Park overlooking the lakefront. The menu features pizzas, calzones, salads, and different appetizers served alongside burgers and many different drinks. Save some room for their beignet bites. 128 S. Roadway St., (504) 510-2260, jbsfueldock.com

Le Bon Temps Roule has been an Uptown staple since 1979. This 24-hour bar is known for live music, billiards, strong drinks, and its delicious food, such as its cowboy burger. It offers a lively and inviting escape in Uptown. 4801 Magazine St., (504) 897-3448, lbtrnola.com

The Channel sits on the corner of Magazine and Third, serving lemon pepper wings, different sandwiches, and even the Channel catfish. It blends together a sports bar vibe with neighborhood ease. It also doubles as a party venue and hosts special events. 2604 Magazine St., (504) 381-4680, thechannelneworleans.com

CAFÉ

Café Amelie, located in a historic French Quarter carriage house and courtyard once home to Princess Alice of Monaco’s mother,

serves brunch and dinner. The menu features Gulf shrimp and grits, roasted pork chops, and salads such as the Amelie Salad. 900 Royal St., (504) 412-8065, cafeamelie.com

Kitchen Table Café is a casual neighborhood spot serving breakfast, lunch, and dinner. The menu includes steak salad, duck pastrami grilled cheese, and more. There’s also indoor seating, a backyard patio with live music, and a full bar to experience. 7005 St. Claude Ave., Arabi, (504) 301-2285, facebook.com/ kitchentablearabi

The Vintage is a coffee shop and wine bar on Magazine Street offering beignets, espresso drinks, and cocktails. It serves breakfast, lunch, and small dishes including apple brie flatbread. The café even features late night bites on Friday and Saturday. 3121 Magazine St., (504) 608-1008, thevintagenola.com

CARIBBEAN

Jamaican Jerk House delivers Caribbean flavors in the Bywater and in Metairie. A standout dish is the tender and flavorful grilled oxtail. Jamaican Jerk House is a welcoming spot for hearty Jamaican comfort food and drinks. Multiple Locations, jamaicanjerkhouse.com

FRENCH

Restaurant August is a fine-dining restaurant that is helmed by Executive Chef Corey Thomas. The menu focuses on contemporary French cuisine with Southern ingredients, featuring Gulf seafood, seasonal produce, and other wonderful entrees. Its historic 19thcentury building includes elegant dining rooms. 301 Tchoupitoulas St., (504) 299-9777, restaurantaugust.com

ITALIAN

Domenica, inside of the Roosevelt Hotel, offers wood-fired pizzas, handmade pastas, seasonal Italian dishes, and craft cocktails. The kitchen highlights Gulf seafood, house-cured meats, and local produce. The restaurant pairs casual dining with an upscale hotel setting. 123 Baronne St., (504) 648-6020, domenicarestaurant.com

Paulie’s Delicatessen is a New York-style deli serving cold cut sandwiches, espresso, and Italian comfort food. Owner Paul Tufaro’s menu includes pastas and cocktails. The corner space also hosts live music, specials such as the Bronx Bomber, and seasonal drinks. 8201 Oak St., (504) 412-8326, pauliesneworleans.com

Pizza Domenica is a pizzeria with an Italian oven that cooks thin-crust pies at 800 degrees. The menu features garlic knots,

fungi pizza, and meatballs with polenta, plus a beer list with 12 rotating taps and over 30 cans and bottles. Happy hour runs Monday through Friday with half-off pizzas, wine, beer, and cocktails from 3 to 5 p.m. Multiple Locations, pizzadomenica.com

Pulcinella! is a homestyle Italian spot with a menu shaped by Sicilian roots. Their seafood cannelloni, packed with shrimp, crab, and ricotta, is hand-rolled and served in a creamy, peppery sauce. A great wine list offers great wine pairings. 1300 St. Bernard Ave., (504) 2211560, dirtydimeproductions.com

U Pizza is a laid-back St. Charles Avenue restaurant known for its thin, crispy crust and heavily topped specialty pizzas, such as the Uptown, Greek, and Streetcar. The menu includes wraps, pastas, and salads, with glutenfree and vegan options available. 1513 St. Charles Ave., (504) 381-4232, upizzanola. com

Venezia has served homestyle Italian food in New Orleans since 1957. Known for its red sauce and much more, the restaurant also offers steak nights. The Gretna location brings the same menu, along with a signature Caesar salad prepared tableside. Multiple Locations, venezianeworleans.com

LATIN

34 Restaurant & Bar brings Portuguese

flavors to the Warehouse District. The menu features signature dishes including the prego, which is a steak sandwich with chorizo, filet mignon, and honey. The lively, green tiled space includes a jamon bar. 714 Baronne St., (504) 498-3434, 34restaurantandbar.com

Alma Café is a Mid-City restaurant specializing in Honduran cooking, with a menu built around baleadas and other breakfast plates. One dish to try while at Alma is the pollo chuco. It also serves coffee, fresh juices, and cocktails. 301 N. Carrollton Ave., (504) 872-9975, eatalmanola.com

MIDDLE EASTERN

Lebanon’s Cafe has served authentic Middle Eastern cuisine in the Big Easy for over 20 years. Known for its rosemary lamb chops, chicken shawarma, fresh hummus, and more, it offers a cozy dining experience with large plates. 1500 S. Carrollton Ave., (504) 862-6200, lebanonscafe.com

Shaya is an Uptown New Orleans restaurant blending Israeli cuisine with Southern ingredients. The menu features wood-fired pita, hummus with many different delicious toppings, and vegetable-driven small plates. The restaurant has earned national recognition for its modern Middle Eastern cooking. 4213 Magazine St., (504) 891-4213, shayarestaurant.com

NEW ORLEANS CUISINE

3rd Block Depot specializes in modern Creole and Cajun food, serving up unique twists on classic dishes. Using seasonal ingredients from local markets, the chefs create regular specials such as their blackened redfish. They have a full bar to enjoy. 316 Chartres St., (504) 5524095, 3rdblockdepot.com

Chef Ron’s Gumbo Stop is a cozy Cajun and Creole spot known for its award-winning gumbo and welcoming atmosphere. Chef Ron Iafrate, named Chef of the Year in 2010, serves signature dishes including catfish Jefferson, Mumbo Gumbo, and more. 2309 N. Causeway Blvd., (504) 835-2022, gumbostop.com

Crescent City Brewhouse serves awardwinning craft beers, alongside fresh oysters, seafood, and dishes such as the Decatur St. Burger. Guests can enjoy jazz performances, rotating art exhibits, and balcony views from a historic Decatur street building. 527 Decatur St., (504) 522-0571, crescentcitybrewhouse.com

Crescent City Steaks has served prime aged beef “sizzling in butter” since 1934. This landmark pairs timeless service with classic filet mignon, broiled lobster tails, and more. It remains a destination for authentic New Orleans flavor and memorable meals. 1001 N. Broad St., (504) 821-3271, crescentcitysteaks.com

Desire Oyster Bar stands out with its Broadway-style marquee and bustling raw bar. The restaurant is known for fried oysters with flash-fried spinach, fried green tomatoes, and a lively, open-window atmosphere that captures the spirit of Bourbon Street. 300 Bourbon St., (504) 553-2281, sonesta.com

Lakeview Harbor is known for its classic burgers, baked potatoes, and casual neighborhood feel. Longtime patrons appreciate their famous grilled pork chops, shareable appetizers, cold and refreshing cocktails, and its welcoming atmosphere that is perfect for friends and families. 8550 Pontchartrain Blvd., (504) 486-4887, lakeviewharbor.us

RESTAURANT GUIDE

Loretta’s Authentic Pralines became a New Orleans institution under founder Loretta Harrison, the first Black woman to own a praline company in the city. It’s known for its classic pecan pralines, festival-famous stuffed beignets, and other Creole specialties. Multiple Locations, lorettaspralines.com

Lyons Corner combines a coffee shop, a restaurant, and a cocktail bar in the Hotel Theo. Chef Joshua Wetshtein offers creative takes on New Orleans dishes, from jambalaya topped with eggs to the flounder Pontchartrain. 537 Gravier St., (504) 576-9721, lyonscornernola.com

Meril is a casual contemporary restaurant by Chef Emeril Lagasse. Their menu blends global influences with local ingredients, offering dishes such as housemade meatballs, barbecued shrimp, seafood linguini, banana cream pie, and so much more. 424 Girod St., (504) 526-3745, bemeril.com

Mother’s Restaurant has served iconic po-boys, baked ham, and debris dishes since 1938. This no-nonsense location is the perfect spot to get a true taste of old New Orleans. Their seafood platter extra extra contains shrimp, oysters, catfish, and more. 401 Poydras St., (504) 523-9656, mothersrestaurant.net

New Orleans Creole Cookery brings oldschool Creole dishes to the heart of the French

Quarter. Make sure to order from their crown jewels of the sea, which is your choice of boiled seafood with boiled potatoes, Cajun sausage, and corn. 510 Toulouse St., (504) 5249632, neworleanscreolecookery.com

Neyow’s Creole Café is a bustling Mid-City restaurant that brings its soulful homestyle cooking to the Big Easy. They serve rich delicious New Orleans and seafood dishes, including a seafood combination plate, in a lively dining room. 3332 Bienville St., (504) 827-5474, neyows.com

Neyow’s XL is a sleek, upscale extension of Neyow’s Creole Café, offering prime steaks, seafood, and rich Creole sides. Expect extravagant and delicious dishes such as crawfish mac and cheese, whole red snapper, and buttery ribeye with polished service. 3336 Bienville St., (504) 503-1081, xl.neyows. com

Nice Guys NOLA is a casual restaurant and bar on Earhart Boulevard that serves modern take on local comfort food. Popular items include oysters Rockerfeller, filé gumbo, seafood bread, the loaded “Earhart Attack” fries, and the Louisiana seafood potato. 7910 Earhart Blvd., (504) 302-2404, niceguysnola.com

Orleans Grapevine Wine Bar and Bistro is a wine-focused bistro just off Bourbon Street with a tucked-away courtyard, romantic

lighting, and a deep bottle list. Its menu, featuring double-cut pork chops, is served in a quiet, friendly space. 720 Orleans Ave., (504) 523-1930, orleansgrapevine.com

Parkway Bakery and Tavern has helped cement the po-boy’s place in New Orleans’ food culture. Opened in 1911, they serve a variety of poor boys on Leidenheimer bread. Order a half and half shrimp and oyster poor boy, and enjoy. 538 Hagan Ave., (504) 4823047, parkwaypoorboys.com

Willie Mae’s NOLA is known for its crispy, golden fried chicken and buttery, made from scratch cornbread. The restaurant still draws long lines daily for its fried chicken plates, multiple sides, and their Taste of New Orleans meal. 898 Baronne St., (504) 354-8194, williemaesnola.com

SEAFOOD

Briquette is a contemporary seafood restaurant that showcases fresh Gulf fish on an icy display before it’s prepared to order. Try the Louisiana redfish on the half shell with charred lemon butter, Belle River crawfish relish, and heirloom potatoes. 701 S. Peters St., (504) 547-6330, briquette-nola.com

Delacroix is Chef John Besh’s brand-new restaurant in Spanish Plaza and serves a refined take on classic fish camps and bars. Expect high-quality seafood prepared with thoughtfulness and elegance, such as the

crispy snapper collars with spicy Creole tomato butter. 1 Poydras St. Spc 1005, (504) 6559002, delacroixrestaurant.com

Drago’s Seafood Restaurant, founded in 1969, is home to the original charbroiled oysters. This family-run favorite serves thousands of oysters daily, alongside seafood platters, stuffed lobsters, Louisiana classics, and the bayou carbonara, a creamy pasta with shrimp or crawfish. Multiple Locations, dragosrestaurant.com

Legacy Kitchen’s Tacklebox serves breakfast, brunch, lunch, and dinner with a focus on Gulf seafood, fried platters, and Southern comfort dishes. Its menu features raw and charbroiled oysters, redfish St. Charles, shrimp and grits, and beignet-style bites. 817 Common St., (504) 827-1651, legacykitchen.com

Briquette

FILM REVIEWS

Springsteen: Deliver Me from Nowhere

Biopics work best when they deal with a small but significant portion of the subject’s life instead of trying to crunch an entire lifetime into a two- or three-hour movie. Springsteen: Deliver Me from Nowhere, about singersongwriter Bruce Springsteen, generally works as it covers the period in the early 1980s where Springsteen (Jeremy Allen White in a spot-on performance) is working on new acoustic material, which would become the stark, deeply personal, 1982 album Nebraska Coming off the success of his 1980 double album The River, which contains the hit “Hungry Heart,” the record label pressures the singer for another hit record. Springsteen is also struggling with

By David Vicari & Fritz Esker

depression and childhood trauma due to his father’s alcoholism and mental illness.

Deliver Me from Nowhere, directed by Scott Cooper (Crazy Heart), is at its best when dealing with the recording of the music—which was done at Springsteen’s house using a four-track recorder—and the fight with the record company that wants a commercially viable album.

What feels rushed, however, is the rock bottom of Springsteen’s depression and his attempt to get help.

White, who could pass for Springsteen’s stunt double, is terrific here and also does much of his own singing. Stealing the movie, however, is Jeremy Strong as Springsteen’s manager, record producer, and good friend Jon Landau. He will do anything for “the Boss,” and the friendship between the two men is the glue that holds the movie together.

—David Vicari

Jay Kelly

George Clooney has been getting Oscar buzz as the lead in director Noah Baumbach's Jay Kelly, portraying an aging movie star heading to Europe for a career tribute with his longsuffering manager Ron (Adam Sandler). It's a good film and a good performance by Clooney, so there may indeed be a nomination in his future.

Clooney's Kelly is facing a crossroads as the youngest of his two daughters (Grace Edwards) is about to head off to college. Kelly hasn't been a deadbeat dad, but he has definitely been the type of person to prioritize his career over family time. His oldest daughter (Riley Keough) still resents him for this. Ron also has two daughters, and Kelly's demands keep him from them for long stretches, as well. At two hours and 12 minutes, Jay Kelly rambles a bit in stretches, and a few of the comedy bits feel a tad forced. However, for the most part, it's an effective character study. While the movie star life that Kelly lives is a privileged one, it comes with its share of downsides,

too. Kelly tries to reconnect with an old friend (Billy Crudup), only to learn he's exceedingly bitter about Kelly's success. The people he spends the most time with are all people on his payroll, which creates a barrier to forming genuine friendships.

Somewhat appropriately for a film about a movie star, Jay Kelly is often at its best when Clooney is letting his pure movie star charisma shine. There's no better example of this than when Kelly finds himself on a packed train in France with a crowd of ordinary people. At first, it seems like this might lead to a tense an awkward encounter, but Kelly effortlessly charms and delights everyone in the train.

Baumbach's script (co-written with Emily Mortimer) also does a good job of making Kelly human. He's a flawed man who has clearly made some mistakes in his life but he's not a bad one, either. Like everyone who reaches middle age, he's just a person looking back on his life and contemplating the choices he has made.

Fritz Esker

TALES FROM THE QUARTER

By Debbie Lindsey

Happy Friggin’ Birthday to Me

ANew Orleans Sports Radio

nd yes, I am that old,” I told the young—at this point, that’s anyone 50 and under—customer service lady as I gave her my email address. It’s always the same. As I finish up giving needed contact info with “@aol.com,” their expression, politely, changes a smidge, implying that I am slightly obsolete.

he would be my wonderful neighbor in New Orleans.

Try to explain the reliability of landline phones. No charging, no reboots, no having them fall out your pocket into the toilet. Of course I have a cell, but, for a back-up, there is the trusty tethered-to-the-wall telephone. I like to think that I straddle, albeit clumsily, both the analogue and digital worlds. My typewriter sits alongside my computer, and my smarty pants flat screen shares a home with my Magnavox TV replete with a rabbit ear antenna. I do get brownie points for coolness due to the “Retro Renaissance.” My record collection gives me a modicum of cred.

New Orleans Sports Radio

New Orleans Sports Radio

Having spent the past four years working in a clothing and accessories shop with a dominant retro vibe, I was constantly reminded that what was just yesterday to me was ancient history to my younger customers. Give me the retro styles from the ’60s—fun and fabulous. But the ’90s? For god’s sake. Add to this the fact that there was nothing style wise that should even be remembered from then.

You know those little plastic butterfly hair clips? My customers, kids and adults alike, went gaga over them. I was drawing a blank on when and what decade these things were popular. They were only vaguely familiar. I asked a shopper, “When were these a thing?”

“The ’90s. [I] loved them in high school,” she replied.

In the ’90s, I was a Quarterite and spent much of my social life in bars. Didn’t see any teenagers. The Quarter had yet to become a big family vacation destination. I missed the whole 1990s’ bling, I guess.

I promised my editor I would make a nod to our bar issue. Easy peasy. My approaching birthday has me ready to quell my many fears about aging with a stiff drink. I’m also thinking back on how times have changed in the world of libations and those sacred halls in which folks toast and talk with fellow tipplers.

I was there when the Louisiana crafty beer Abita Amber was in its debut days. Now ya can’t spit without hitting an entrepreneurial craft brew. I am fond of saying that “I have never met a beer I didn’t like.” However, my head spins with all the choices we have now (albeit good choices, good brews). I’m old school. Give me a Miller High Life.

One of my early bar gigs was at Thristy’s Tavern in Mobile. That little college bar and eatery was a hot spot for an amazing array of musicians of note. Among the many blues artists performing there was this wild cat that picked his guitar with his teeth. I had never seen such a thing. That was my first intro to Walter “Wolfman” Washington. Years later,

However, I digress. Let’s return to the “back then” and changes that I’ve seen in bars and elsewhere through the years. My very first bar gig (Mobile) was as a cocktail server, but we were still called barmaids back then. Now make no mistake, I find housekeeping to be a noble, hard, difficult job, but the “maid” part of my job title/description carried a slightly demeaning connotation. Add to that, the other barmaid referred, correctly and accurately, to our boss as a whoremaster. The misogyny in the workplace back then was, too often, the accepted and tolerated norm.

Also, the classifieds. The newspaper’s employment section was by gender: “Help Wanted: Male” or “Help Wanted: Female.” This thankfully was phased out in the early ’70s. And, in the whole scheme of things, it wasn’t that long ago—okay, ancient history— when those employment classifieds specified “White” or “Colored.” The big point here is that I done seen some s**t. I was lucky that I was white or I would have seen a whole lot more s**t. The good ol’ days. Yeah, right. The human condition surely needed to evolve.

On a much lighter note, beer cans have evolved. In the early ’60s, a can opener was required, followed by pull tabs, until they were phased out around 1975 to be improved upon with the—drum roll and hooray—stay-tab. Also, all bottled beer required a bottle opener, and the bottles were returned to the beer distributor via a delivery guy for rebottling purposes. Unfortunately, now most empty bottles hit the trash bin.

There were also no credit card transactions in my early bartending days. When they did become standard payment form, ya had to run the card on a slide thingy that imprinted via the card’s raised digits and a two sheet slip, carbon paper in the middle. If the purchase exceeded a certain amount, you had to call the credit card company for authorization, write code on slip, and pray nothing was overlooked or you ate that bill. My years in food and beverage saw more changes than my column has space for. Yet, I must salute my personal favorite, “No Smoking Allowed.”

Life in general has seen rapid changes— good, bad, and different. From eight track players to online, from theaters to streaming and phones in your ears and not tethered to a wall. The internet replaces encyclopedias. Cars were distinguishable, like architecture on wheels. Now, a Mercedes-Benz looks like a Subaru. Medical advances? Hands down, fabulous. Required car seat belts? Great improvement. American democracy to authoritarianism? Well that’s another whole column.

I approach my birthday this month with fear and trepidation, reflection and hindsight, and, if lucky, some foresight.

In the late ‘70s, I used to frequent a saloon on Grant Street in San Francisco’s North Beach. Fittingly, the joint’s name was the Lost and Found Club. The kind of place where everybody doesn’t know your name.

With ZZ Top on the box, you drank until last call and maybe went home with a stranger. The main lighting was either from the juke box or the faux Tiffany lamps over the pool tables. Very rarely was there any trouble, unlike other joints on the street at that time. You know, old school serious. The kind of place where everyone was hiding out and no one was looking for them.

At odds one Thanksgiving, I slouched my way hence to find the place lit up like a prison break. There were sheets of plywood on the pool tables. I surmised that, possibly, there was a renovation or crime scene in progress, but, seeing as I was being waved in, in I went.

Gathered around the bar, the usual suspects were at their usual places on their usual barstools, swizzle stick legs and all. Crooked smiles were forming as tablecloths were draped on the plywood and food began appearing from wherever, until a beggar’s banquet was laid for those of us that were simply known as the Holiday Orphans. We ate, we grinned, we bought each other’s drinks and tipped massively. Feeling like a family for one fleeting gustatory moment, we went our separate, smiling ways.

Nothing fancy: the prerequisite turkey, dressing, sweet and Irish potatoes, a veg or two, gravy, cranberry, and those obligatory brown and serve rolls. There could have

PO-BOY VIEWS

By Phil LaMancusa

Guest or Pest

been a pie or two, maybe a salad. I’m not really remembering it all. It was all pot luck and began, unbeknownst to me, as a task, a request, and an assignment to the regulars, by the bartender, to bring a certain holiday meal component and show up for the giving of collective thanks. Who ever could refuse their bartender a directive? If you know the story of “The Stone Soup,” it was kinda like that. The bird was supplied by the bar. It’s not all fun and games for all of us on the holidays, especially if you’re in the service industry. Many of us have had to work those special times when those times are special to everyone but us. We give the roses out on Mother’s Day brunch. We dress up for your Halloween night out. We serve Easter, Christmas, Carnival, and, yes, we’re there when you decide that someone else will cook and serve the turkey on Thanksgiving. Not everybody who works in a service oriented town, such as we here in New Orleans, has a family within a stone’s throw of their living arrangements. Generally

“We’d sing and dance forever and a day. / We’d lived the life we choose. / We’d fight and never lose. / Those were the days. / Oh! Yes, those were the days”

—Mary Hopkin, “Those Were the Days”

speaking, in a bar or restaurant, the people that you work with become your family. These establishments are fast paced, close quartered, and semi-unpredictable in atmosphere. The unexpected circumstance is perpetually expected. You become close knit, and you have a lot in common—IYKYK.

Tending bar can be a lonely gig unless you’re either part of the rest of the “family” and/or make working relationships with your customers—the more regular the better.

“Mercy, mercy, Mister Percy, There ain’t nothin’ back in Jersey Just the broken down jalopy Of the man I left behind.”

“Invitation To The Blues” — Tom Waits

What do you do when the rest of the world is gathered around a communal table of siblings, parents, and relatives by the dozens and celebrating a holiday that you’re spending at work, mixing up

another Sazerac cocktail, or delivering complimentary bread pudding to strangers polishing off a gut busting holiday table d’hôte? Maybe you work in an office tower or at an auto parts store, health facility, or middle school. Maybe you “go home” for the holidays, or perhaps you are that customer out with Mom, Aunt Grace, and Cousin Ralph at the casino buffet. Good on ya, mate. However, there is a tradition for service workers and other Holiday Orphans, and it happens just like it did at the Lost and Found in San Francisco.

Your coworker comes up and asks you what you are doing for “insert holiday here.” You say you have no plans except ones concerning adult beverages and binge watching reruns of M*A*S*H*. They say, “Let’s get the gang together, go over to Alice’s—she’s got a big place, with roomies to boot—and have a pot luck. I’ll bring my famous string bean casserole, and we’ll get everyone to bring something and feast and gab and have a holiday.”

Or your bartender says, “Listen, we’re having a potluck here for ‘insert holiday (or saints game) here,’ you in? I need someone to bring a salad.” If you’re lucky, chances are that you may have given or gotten this kind of invitation. It means that you’ve got friends, whether you want them or not. You are, in essence, made.

I’ll bet you dollars to donuts that I can go out this Thanksgiving and find at least half a dozen pot lucks that I or any other Holiday Orphan would be welcome at. I’ve been to a few. In fact, I’m gonna call the Golden Lantern to see if they need a salad.

DON’ T STRES S THIS id y Se on