Pat O'Brien's Bar   

The Pat O'Brien's motto is "Have fun!" and visitors to this cornerstone New Orleans establishment have been doing so since 1933. With roots that extend into the Prohibition Era, Pat O'Brien's has been serving signature drinks for more than 60 years and is best known for the Hurricane, its original invention. Really five bars in one, Pat O'Brien's is a conglomerate of unique atmospheres. The Main Bar exudes the atmosphere of a neighborhood bar. On the walls hang framed pictures of loyal customers enjoying years spent at their favorite French Quarter establishment. Crowds of locals gather at the Piano Bar where dueling entertainers perform favorite sing-alongs, and they always play requests. Be sure to catch Eddie Gabriel's act: The 60-year veteran Pat O'Brien's employee plays an aluminum tray with thimbled fingers. He's been keeping time for the audience and entertainers six nights a week since he invented the act in 1945. The Patio Bar, Pat O'Brien's most popular bar, has a casual atmosphere and open-air seating. Glass and iron tables and lush foliage are crowned by Pat O'Brien's landmark Flaming Fountain, a stone and copper design hosting a brilliant flame amid streams of water. The Bourbon Bar, located at the Bourbon Street entrance, is a favorite of local patrons thanks to its familiar view through shuttered windows onto Bourbon Street. A visit to Pat O'Brien's is not complete without a world-famous Hurricane, now known as the signature drink of New Orleans. Served in a Pat O'Brien's logo glass and garnished with an orange slice and a cherry, the fruity red concoction was created during World War II when liquor such as whiskey was in low supply. The Pat O'Brien's Hurricane glass is one of the most sought-after souvenirs in New Orleans.