Wanted to go to Pat O'Briens on a Friday night. What is the best time to go without it being too crowded? Was thinking about eating in the restuarant there. Good or bad idea? Is the food good? Have read that we should try their signature Hurricane. What's in it? Don't care for pineapple or orange juice in my drinks.

Last time I went was right about when they opened at 10am (we were live in Ohio so it was really 11am for us). It was a nice way to start the day and it was pretty much empty so we got to chat w/the bartender. Had one Hurricane there, the glasses we washed and packed up for us, then we got another to go in a plastic cup (no open container law in New Orleans). I'm not usually much of a drinker but when in Rome . . . .

I'm not sure exactly what is in them but it tasted kind of like a subtle fruit punch. Reminds me of college days of "hairy buffalo" parties w/tubs of drink made with everclear because they are quite potent but you really can't taste the alcohol - you've been warned!

I'm not sure about the food at Pat's - never eaten there. So many good places to eat in New Orleans, I'd limit consumption at Pat O'Brien's to Hurricanes. Have fun!!

I've never had the food at Pat O'Briens. I'm not sure I've even met anyone who has ever had the food at Pat O'Briens. If you're looking to have some munchies in between your drinks, I'm sure it is fine. But, if you are looking for real food, then New Orleans has numerous other options which I would suspect make for a better meal.

My suggestion is have food and a few drinks at the Napolean House on Chartres and St. Louis, then head to Pat O'Briens. (The Napolean House definately qualifies as one of the 5 best bars in the country, IMHO.)

In terms of a Hurricane, if you don't like drinks with juice, then skip it.

I agree... I have not and do not know anyone who has eaten at Pat O's. I would visit the piano and patio bars, maybe SHARE a hurricane with a group just in case but then you can say you drank it!, and go somewhere else for food. If you're looking for casual in the area, try Alex Patout's. Two restaurants next to each other on Bourbon. Good gumbo, appetizers and entrees and also have live cajun music most times of the day.

To clarify NOLady, Alex Patout's restaurants are Cajun Cabin & Cajun Bistro.

You should skip Hurricane's if you don't like fruit juice in your drinks.

1.5 ounces light rum
1.5 ounces dark rum
1 ounce orange juice
1 ounce fresh lime juice (NOT Rose's or RealLime)
1/4 cup passion fruit juice, or 1 tablespoon passion fruit syrup
1 teaspoon superfine sugar
1 teaspoon grenadine
Cherries with stems, and orange slice to garnish
Ice cubes

GoTravel: is that really Pat O'Briens recipe? I thought it was a top secret thing.

KVR: The hurricanes sneak up on you. They go down easy....but 20 minutes later....whoa! Of course, I probably (no, definitely) had more than one!

A weekend night (especially if a convention is in town) gets pretty jam packed. We not only got out of PO's, but straight back to our hotel. We like to party, but I was downright claustrophobic! We did start out our 1st day at PO's when we arrived in the morning. Like another poster said, no one was there and we could talk to the bartender.

Have a great time in New Orleans!

Hurricanes and Hand Grenades. Taste similar after the first three. Same effect, also. One drink two drink, three drink, floor.

Your question about when is O'Briens crowded is not easy to answer. If you're in N.O. for any of the major events throughout the year, it will also depend on the weather. If raining, then the patio dining becomes less popular.

During Jazz Fest 2004, we were there at 6:30 and it was a 45 minute wait for a table for six (near the fire/fountain) on the patio. Maybe a table for two was more possible?

We ate light food at a table in the bar - and yes, there are far better restaurants in our trip report - but this was a one-time experience, and after 3 hurricanes, you can't really taste food, anyway!!!

The glasses can be turned in for a $3 credit, if you don't want to carry glasses in a cardboard box in a plastic bag to the restaurant or, next bar, or wherever.

KVR.. you don't really taste the orange juice in the Hurricanes. Look at the recipe: approx 9 oz of liquid and 1/3 of that is rum, 4 oz are passion fruit (which is what I tasted most... then the rum hit me later!) If you are afraid you won't like it, have someone give you a taste of theirs and then you can decide if you want your own.

I bought PO's liquid hurricane mix and made them at home. A note to anyone planning on drinking hurricanes on an empty stomach while cooking dinner -- DON'T DO IT unless you don't care what you will end up eating! After doing this one evening, I was banned from drinking while cooking LOL!!!

I call them Slur-A-Canes, but it is a must if you go to New Orleans. I would go early evening around 5 or 6 pm have a hurricane, get your picture made out on the patio, and maybe eat an appitizer. I ate dinner there once, because we were hungry and didn't want to leave. Much better food elsewhere in New Orleans. Leave for dinner and then maybe come back to the piano bar later.

Thanks for all the replies. As long as the Hurricanes don't have pineapple juice, will probably share with DH.

Thinking about dinner at the Acme Oyster House instead. Staying at the Holiday Inn French Quarter. Will that be out of the way to go there and eat and then to Pat O'Brien's?

What time does the music start in the piano bar?

So I guess I'm one of the few that's eaten there! The food was fine, not bad not spectacular. The price is right, though...we had 2 dinners & 2 huge drinks for about $30. The setting was the hoghlight, though. I loved the patio area.

I don't like hurricanes either - blech.

The joy of the French Quarter is that nothing is really 'out of the way'. It's meant for wandering. But, I wouldn't wander any further away from the river than Rue Dauphine at night, unless you're with a really large group.

Jean

I was underwhelmed by Pat O'Briens. It was a Saturday night, very crowded, lots of very drunk people, and a woman spilled her beer all over me. Guess I should give it another chance... But I have my souvenior glass so that's all that matters!

"It was a Saturday night, very crowded, lots of very drunk people, and a woman spilled her beer all over me"

You realize that comment could apply to just about every bar in New Orleans, right?

Okay, I may as well voice my opinion, too. Pat O'Briens is a fun place to go for a drink. No more, no less.

A couple of years ago we had a cocktail party in their upstairs party room. Our guests (all tourists) loved the location, the place and the balcony. However, the food was AWFUL!

In other words, go for fun and drinks, but NOT for food...especially in New Orleans where food rules!!

Everything is within walking distance in the French Quarter area. ACME is a great choice for oysters. I think Pat O's may be a couple of blocks from ACME. I'm not quite sure when the piano bar starts up, but I think around 8 or 9.

Anybody here know how many beer steins are hanging from the ceiling in the bar at Pat O'Brien's?

OMG Ryan, not in the best mood lately, are you? Was that reply to bennie really necessary, or is it because her Sox *WON*!?

Pat O'Briens:
Great drinks, average food, fun patio = GOOD IDEA, GO!