History of Pat O'Brien's Bar

Hurricanes, the Piano Bar, the Flaming Fountain, and green-jacketed waiters await behind the doors of 718 St. Peter in the French Quarter, New Orleans.  For more than 73 years, world-famous Pat O'Brien's has treated its customers to days and nights of merriment that have certainly upheld the establishment's motto of "Have Fun!"              

During the days of Prohibition in the 1930s, B. H. "Pat" O'Brien operated "Mr. O'Brien's Club Tipperary," one of many speakeasies in New Orleans, whose doors opened only to the select few who knew the passwords, "Storm's Brewin."  When the Prohibition Amendment was repealed in 1933, Mr. O'Brien moved his now legal drinking establishment across the street from the speakeasy to Pat O'Brien's original location in the 600 block of St. Peter.               

Once the Bar's name was established as the place to be, a much larger facility was needed. The present site of Pat O'Brien's now at 718 St. Peter Street was built in 1791. This location originally housed the country's first Spanish Theater, then later became the private residence of the Deflechie Family. Pat O'Brien purchased the building in 1942 and moved his establishment. Under the management of Pat O'Brien, Charlie Cantrell, and George Oechsner, Jr., the bar with the modest green-and-white sign began to flourish.              

Pat O'Brien's is committed to "Have Fun!" with quality, consistancy, value, and efficiency.  Pat O'Brien's motto of "Have Fun!" has been a constant since its doors first opened in 1933.  It remains a place for locals and tourists alike to relax and...  

       
Excerpted from article by Jennifer Lange, December 1995.