Things overheard in a New Orleans bar

Another wild and crazy Mardi Gras season has come and gone, and for the first time in many years I was able to partake in some of the craziness in New Orleans.  In the Big Easy, Mardi Gras is more than a season, it’s a part of life, and there’s no better time to visit and embed yourself among the people who live there.   

Whether it’s carnival time or not, there’s no place like New Orleans, and that’s reflected in the bar conversations you overhear or take part in while you’re there.   And as you can imagine, Punky and I spent a fair amount of our wild weekend in New Orleans drinking establishments – some famous, some infamous and some tourists rarely find.  With that in mind, here are just a few memorable quotes you’ll (probably) only hear in a New Orleans bar:

• If it weren’t for the rats and cockroaches, a lot of these places would have fallen down a long time ago.

• What do you mean you don’t louche your absinthe? 

• I need to make room in my kitchen cabinets for all the cups I caught off of this year’s parade floats. 

• They’ve got great food, and the drag queens look ahhhmazing! 

• Try gigging for catfish instead of fishing for them.  That’s how I catch them.  If you’re really good, you can use your bare hands. 

• You want your Irish coffee hot, frozen or over ice?  Whipped cream?  Sprinkles on top?  I won’t judge. 

• I hope my relief gets here soon.  I need to start my 3 a.m. shift at (name redacted) in a few minutes.

• I don’t know … I kind of miss the old jukebox when you had no idea what song you just selected.   

• The bathroom’s out to the courtyard and to the left, if you can fit in it.

• Is this where the vampire tour starts?

• Now that’s what I consider a good breakfast drink!

And maybe the most obvious indicator you’re in New Orleans …

• I’m going to need a go-cup for that.