pat o’brien’s

another must-do while in n'awlins is pat o'brien's. this is the bar that invented the hurricane drink, so of course they make them better than any one else in town. the open courtyard scattered with lush green plants and fancy fountains was the perfect place to spend a few late afternoon hours.

great drinks and friendly people. we intended to duck into pat o'briens to grab a hurricane to go to hold us over while we stood in line at acme oyster. it was a beautiful evening and the patio was inviting. we decided to have our drink on the patio by the fountain and everyone there was very friendly and we ended up staying there the rest of the evening. the drinks are good, the bartenders are not stingy with the alcohol in the mixed drinks (yes, they have more than just hurricanes there) and the service is attentive. i can't rate the food because we never ate there, but just enjoyed the patio, the people and the beverages. laissez les bons temps rouler!

i was yold if i come to nola go to pat obriens for there signature drink the hurricane and the food was good i had the burger atmosphere is great

one of america's great bars. outstanding atmosphere. one of the coolest bars in america since 1933. inside, outside, bar, tables, fountain -- all kinds of seating choices. the building dates to 1791. the food menu is standard nola and pub food. they serve maybe the perfect bar fries. the burger was large, competent and decent but not outstanding, $10 w/ fries. they need to switch out the tabasco with crystal or louisiana hot sauce. server was fine. may 2010.

liked it. went to the bar, great drinks reasonable price !

after dinner, we return to the french quarter and make our way up bourbon street. when the sun sets, the area bustles with the effusive din of partyers determined to make merry. we turn right onto saint peter and enter the carriageway of a 1791 building t

even if you are not a binge drinker, the courtyard restaurant has a peaceful setting of bricks, fountain and greenery and tasty n'awlins food. i liked the spicy crawfish étoufee.

...the fastest way to get high on the happy side is to stop in at pat o’briens, home of the original hurricane. make sure you order one. delicious and even seasoned drinkers will be guaranteed to get their drunk on. consume with care.

have you ever had a hurricane drink? you know, the drink in the signature glass with rum, fruit juice and syrup or grenadine?. that was started at a bar called pat o'brien's during world war ii in new orleans. and it is a signature drink of the city. the most popular drink with visitors to the french quarter may just be the sweet red hurricane, served with a big old cherry and a juicy orange slice. this local libation was created with rum at pat o’brien’s bar during world war ii when whiskey was hard to come by. the name for the drink came from the glass it’s served in that resembles a hurricane lamp. a perfect place to sip a hurricane is still in pat o’s legendary courtyard, overlooking the flaming fountain. you can find them elsewhere around the city as well, and most bartenders will be happy to mix you one. also try the frozen varieties at drive-thru daiquiri stands and in the french market. (source)

a nice cool fall day in no and pat os comes to life. 1 hurricane and you have enough sugar for the week. more than 1 you will have a headache for a week. :)  a super spot to people watch on a beautiful afternoon.  if visiting no it is worth a stop, best to try on an off hour vs wait for a table etc. dont forget in no "it is 5 somewhere isnt it?" doesnt apply go whenever you want.

beautiful garden, friendly staff, nice place to chill out. hurricanes are bad ass. after a beautiful afternoon walk, it was really nice to taste delicious cocktails. next time i will try some food too.

fun place! even just hanging out sippin on a hurricane with tourist in & out there is always a new conversation stirring. try the food as well, it's not second rate!

service is sloooow and less attentive than many establishments but staff are friendly!!!
food was very good. catfish po boy was the special, yum! first time eating catfish, very tasty. the setup here is odd... you can only eat in main bar or dining area, not piano bar area.

great courtyard and the only place for a good hurricane. it's not my favorite...not fond of overly-sweet drinks, but there is so much more! the bloody marys are quite fine here, with a bit of kick - i think made with absolute peppar vodka.

the reality is that it is hard finding something new to say after the multitude of solid reviews, but i will offer up a few pointers:

1) however alluring the courtyard is (and it is the best place to drink!!!), remember the drink prices are different in the bar (cheapest), the dueling piano bar, and most expensive in the courtyard.

2) remember that the hurricanes, and many other drinks in fancy stemware, come with the souvenir glass they are served in, so if you don't want to keep the glass, return it to the bar area and you get your deposit back (2 or 3 dollars per glass returned!!!)

3) the food is mediocre when compared to the high class cuisine all around the quarter. this is the place to enjoy the courtyard or dueling pianos and a bit of drinking.

4) the waiters share areas. don't fret over finding "your waiter." grab anyone in a green jacket. they will be more than happy to take your order. they usually want you to pay as you go here, because of the high volume, touristy nature of the place, the shared areas, and frankly the high liquor content in those hurricanes.

5) don't get stuck on the sweet hurricanes. try some of the other specialty drinks! the cyclone is ok. the fuzzy leprechaun and bloody mary are better!

6) the bathrooms are less than stellar, and the main women's bathroom is upstairs (although there is another option downstairs, just ask someone in a green jacket). however rudimentary they are, use them before you leave. then when one of your friends who didn't read this review, didn't heed the warning, and didn't tinkle at pat o'briens is walking back to your hotel and yells "i have to pee" you can do the "i told ya so" dance. most places will make you buy another drink just to use their bathroom. crafty trick, huh?

favorite spot in nola. food was decent, hurricanes were delicious, and the atmosphere was top notch! get there early or there will be a line. after 3 hurricanes things start getting a little real.