Category: Bars

Banks Street Bar

Did the Banks Street Bar new owner really fire every employee? Sounds like it. That sucks, but there are plenty of other jobs out there. Good luck to you all.

“The new owner is an asshole!”
Well, ok. That happens sometimes, sounds like a bit of fortune being put into a position to have to move onto better things. Lots of good employers out there looking for good help.

“He lives in a mansion and pays his employees shit!”
Ok, another reason to move on. If he has difficulty keeping good staff, he will have no choice but to increase wages. Supply and demand apply to human resources as well.

The business was sold and the new owner decided to clean house and start with fresh staff. Sometimes it’s easier to start with new staff and reorganize than trying to correct issues. Is it a mistake? Time will tell. His money, his choice.

Most employers would rather hire someone with little or no experience and train them in how to do things than hire someone with “years of experience.” If you buy a business, the old staff will be reluctant to any changes, falling back on: “But this is how we always do it.”

An inexperienced applicant with a good attitude will more likely get the position than the industry veteran who is sure that he knows how everything should be run. Perhaps the new owner has a slightly higher standard of performance than the previous.

Someone who buys an established business is purchasing the name, location, equipment and the like. They are not buying the staff. The last I checked the buying and selling of workers was illegal in most states.

Sorry you are looking for a new job. You are not entitled to that job or any other. Their business, their choice of who to employ. Every job is just a contract. “You do this, I’ll pay you that.” Either one of you break the terms of the contract, the other can walk away.

I’m laughing at the comments on social media. I can picture all of them as co-workers. The ones who make it a point to take a shit on company time and boast about it. “I got one over on the boss! 20 minutes on the bowl playing with my phone.” While your co-workers had to pick up the slack. So much for the worker’s collective.

We’ve all worked with such people. Those who steal from the boss and justify it with, “He doesn’t pay me what I am worth.” Those who spit in customers’ food and back-stab co-workers at the drop of a hat. Often, it’s easier to just tear down and build new than to try repairing what’s there.

An employer owes you nothing more than the agreed upon pay on schedule.

Restrictions lifted, back to abnormal

Starting this Memorial Day weekend, the restrictions on hours and occupancy have been lifted for bars, restaurants and live music venues in New Orleans. The past few weekends have been busy and we will probably see a great weekend. The weather is excellent and only about a 43% chance of showers on Saturday evening. With the shutdown becoming a thing of the past for now, those who were suffering from cabin fever will be coming out this weekend to see their shadows for the holiday.

Graph from NOLA READY

The state dropped the 1 AM closing rules along with the number of occupants. Posted on line are bunch of graphs and statistics that if any you claimed that you understood them, I would call you a liar. Whatever, can we just go back to earning a living now?

I spoke to the owner of Molly’s on Toulouse, they will be returning back to their original hours prior to the pandemic: 2 p.m. to 6 a.m. Monday through Thursday and 11 a.m. until 7 a.m. on the weekends. The outside tables that were added for cafe seating during the initial limited Phase 3 guidelines will probably be kept.

Molly’s on Tourlouse, open Mon-Thu 2 PM-6 AM, Fri-Sat 11 AM-7 AM and Sun 11 AM-6 AM.

There was even speculation for 24 hour operatios on the weekends if business and manpower allowed. Finding workers is a concern for many French Quarter businesses. Trying to entice workers to come back to work at the beginning of the slow season is the challenge. Fat and convenient unemployment benefits is causing a foot drag with the returning workforce.
(Shaddup, you know it’s true.)

Even our supply guy told me that they are busy as hell, and short handed. Nationally there are still many supply line interruptions and suppliers are short stocked as well. Add to this rising fuel costs that will contribute to higher costs for all involved.

Everyone is hoping for the best but don’t really expect it to be exactly like it was before the shutdown. Business owners are holding their breaths waiting for all of the cards to be dealt before they plan how to play them. Customers want to come back to make up for a lost year. Customers are also concerned about the economy and pending inflation as well.

This is the new normal, or new abnormal by a French Quarter metric.

Graph by Quarter Rat

French Quarter bars and restaurants open on Christmas – continually updated

Many local French Quarter bars and restaurants have remained open during Christmas in the past and, in fact, some consider it obligatory because of tradition. Reveillon, for instance, is a New Orleans French-Creole tradition that’s celebrated with luxurious holiday dinners during the Christmas and New Year’s holidays.

And some places choose to stay open because tourists. It’s the French Quarter. Many, but not all, hospitality industry workers here prefer to work, whether they feel compelled to do it or just love what they do, and some may even be expected to work on Christmas.

The COVID-19 pandemic and subsequent restrictions/shutdowns have severely impacted the operations of many businesses in the French Quarter and we’re left wondering what’s open or closed. Here’s an incomplete, but continually updated, list of bars and restaurants that are open on Christmas Eve and Day.

By the order of Louisiana Governor John Bel Edwards, all on-premise alcohol consumption at bars and restaurants must stop at 11 p.m., although bars must still close at 11 p.m. Open hours may vary.

This is an ongoing list and will be updated throughout the day/night. If you’re open, please contact Dave Minsky at dave@thequarterrat.com or Eric T. Styles at styles@thequarterrat.com.

UPDATED: Dec. 24, 2020, 5:21 p.m. CST

The Upper Quarter, 1000 Bienville St.
Will be open starting at 2 p.m. on Christmas Day for the Saints game.

The Alibi, 811 Iberville St.
This dive bar located on Iberville Street will be open until about 11 p.m. on Christmas Eve. It’ll reopen at 3 p.m. on Christmas Day in time for the Saints game and close at about 11 p.m.

Palm and Pine, 308 N. Rampart St.
This restaurant will be open for Christmas, with their last seating at 9:45 p.m.; closed for Christmas Day.

The Abbey Bar, 1123 Decatur St.
The bar will have poboys and fixings available. Bartenders Erica, followed by Erica, will be on hand pouring cocktails until 11 p.m.

Fahy’s Irish Pub, 540 Burgundy St.
Fahy’s will be open on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day.

Mr. B’s Bistro, 201 Royal St.
Open Christmas Eve from 11:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m.

The Jimani Lounge and Restaurant, 141 Chartes St.
The Jimani will be open on Christmas Day from 5 p.m. until about 11 p.m.

Molly’s on Toulouse, 732 Toulouse St.
Molly’s will be open Christmas Eve and Christmas Day.

Toulouse Dive Bar, 738 Toulouse St.
The Dive Bar on Toulouse Street, located next to Molly’s, will be open on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. Jessica will have homemade Christmas cookies and hot spiced apple cider for the Dive Bar Christmas day.

Copper Monkey Grill, 725 Conti St.
The Copper Monkey Grill (and bar) will be open on Christmas Eve from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. and on Christmas Day from 4 p.m. to 11 p.m.

MRB, 515 St. Philp St.
MRB’s will be open on Christmas Eve from 3 p.m. to 11 p.m. and on Christmas Day from noon to 11 p.m. with the Saints game ready to roll.

Turtle Bay, 1119 Decatur St.
Will be open from 11 a.m to 11 p.m. on Christmas Eve and Day.

Local 718, 718 Bourbon St.
Local 718, which replaced Johnny White’s on the corner of Bourbon Street and Orleans Avenue, will be giving out meals free of charge to locals and service industry workers from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m.

The Market Cafe, 1000 Decatur St.
Open Christmas Eve and Christmas Day from 8 a.m. to at least 4 or 5 p.m. (all times subject to change).

The Dungeon, 738 Toulouse St.
Will be open on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day from 3 p.m. to 11 p.m.

Cosimo’s, 1201 Burgundy St.
Cosimo’s bar, located on the corner of Burgundy and Governor Nicholls Street, will be open on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day from 3 p.m. to 11 p.m.

Cafe Lafitte in Exile, 901 Bourbon St.
Open on Christmas Eve from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. for a Christmas party.

ACME Oyster House, 724 Iberville St.
Open on Christmas Eve, but closes at 4 p.m.

Olde Nola Cookery, 205 Bourbon St.
Open Christmas Day from 11 a.m. until 2 a.m.

Arnaud’s and the French 75 Bar, 813 Beinville St.
Open for lunch from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. and dinner from 5 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. on Christmas Eve and open Christmas Day for dinner from 5 p.m. to 9:30 p.m.

Bourbon House, 144 Bourbon St.
Not open Christmas Day or Christmas Eve, Open Christmas Eve until 9 p.m.

Mambo’s, 411 Bourbon St.
Open Christmas Day from 11 a.m. to 2 a.m.

Good Friends Bar and Queens Head Pub, 740 Dauphine St.
This bar will be open normal business hours on Christmas Eve, from 1 p.m. to 11 p.m., and on Christmas Day from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m.

Betty’s Bar and Bistro, 700 Burgundy St.
Will be open Christmas Eve, Christmas Day from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m.

The Corner Pocket, 940 St. Louis St.
Corner Pocket will be open on Christmas Eve from noon to 11 p.m and on Christmas Day from 2 p.m. to 11 p.m.

Three Legged Dog, 400 Burgundy St.
Open Christmas Eve and Day from noon to 11 p.m.

American Sports Saloon, 1200 Decatur St.
American Sports Saloon, also know as the “ASS” bar, will be open on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day from 7 a.m. to 11 p.m.

Spirits on Bourbon, 615 Bourbon St.
Will be open 11 a.m to 11 p.m. Christmas Eve and Christmas Day.

Checkpoint Charlie’s, 501 Esplanade Ave.
Simply known as “Checkpoints,” this bar will be open both days, Christmas Eve and Day, from 8 a.m. to 11 p.m.

GrandPre’s, 834 N. Rampart St.
Open Christmas Even and Day from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m.

Longway Tavern, 719 Toulouse St.
Will be open on Christmas Eve from 4 p.m. to 11 p.m., but closed Christmas Day.

The Golden Lantern, 1239 Royal St.
Open Christmas Eve and Christmas Day from 8 a.m. to 11 p.m.

The Original Pierre Maspero’s, 440 Chartres St.
Open regular hours from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. on both days. You can make a reservation here.

Killer Poboys, 219 Dauphine St.
Open until 3 p.m. on Christmas Eve and closed for Christmas Day.

Crossing Bar, 439 Dauphine St.
Open both days from 8 a.m. to 11 p.m.

Buffa’s Bar and Restaurant, 1001 Esplanade Ave.
Buffa’s is still holding its annual Christmas Eve film festival, which runs from 2 p.m. to 9 p.m.

Cafe Maspero, 601 Decatur St.
Open 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Christmas Eve and 9 a.m to 8 p.m. on Christmas Day.

Curio Bistro, 301 Royal St.
Curio will be open Christmas Eve from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. and Christmas Day from 10 a.m. to 11 p.m.

Royal House, 441 Royal St.
Open regular hours on Christmas Even from 11 a.m to 10 p.m. and Christmas Day from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m.

The Court of Two Sisters, 613 Royal St.
Will be open regular business hours from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. on Christmas Even and Day.





























Fahy’s Irish Pub closed Dec. 5 for maintenance; reopens Dec. 6

(Photo: Dave Minsky | CC Flickr)
Fahy’s Irish Pub, located at 540 Burgundy St., will be closed Saturday, Dec. 5 for maintenance, the bar announced Friday on social media.

It’s the second day of a two-day closure, although the bar reopens Sunday, Dec. 6 in time for the Saints (9-2) v. Falcons (4-7) game, which starts at 1 p.m. EST, or 12 p.m. CST, in Atlanta.

Fahy’s, Bourbon Pub Parade reopen after COVID-19 shutdown

Golden Lantern Bar launches GoFundMe to prevent permanent closure due to COVID-19 restrictions

(Photo: Callie Reed | CC Flickr)
The Golden Lantern Bar, located at 1239 Royal St., has established a GoFundMe page to raise money as it struggles to avoid permanent shutdown due to the COVID-19 business restrictions.

The bar was forced to shutter entirely following coronavirus-related bar closures and the New Orleans city ban on to-go alcohol.

The bar weathered the initial storm, receiving a PPP loan, but only kept the establishment afloat for two and a half months. Much of the funds were spent on making the bar safer for patrons, including the purchases of thermometers, sanitizing stations and other items, according to the bar.

The GoFundMe, which was created on Aug. 12, has raised more than $7,300 out of a $60,000 goal.

Despite the Golden Lantern’s closure, bills still must be paid.

Opening in 1964, the gay-friendly Golden Lantern was the original home of Southern Decadence, according to the bar.

“The reality is, the bills (rent, insurance, utilities, taxes, etc) continue to pour in. Despite being closed, Entergy and SWBNO bills are somehow much higher than usual. Without income or additional resources available, The Golden Lantern is struggling to keep its head above water. With expenses over $20,000+ a month and no income expected any time soon, options are running out.”

Golden Lantern Bar

To donate, visit Golden Lantern Bar’s GoFundMe page.

Betty’s Bar and Bistro, formerly 700 Club, closes permanently due to COVID-19 restrictions