Doors never closed at this Big Easy bar

[Canadian Socialist]

ROSIE DIMANNO

The sign behind the bar says "Never Closed."

That ain't no lie, cher.

At Johnny White's Sports Bar, the weathered oak doors were flung wide open yesterday, as they have been throughout the sweaty days and crazy nights since Hurricane Katrina pummelled this magnificent, gallant and eternally buoyant city.

This was, as far as I could find, the only such establishment in the French Quarter — possibly the only establishment in all of New Orleans — still doing business. It's not business as usual, but damn near close to it. An oasis of conviviality in a metropolis that is waterlogged, without power, and officially locked down. Locked down, as in martial law imposed. Locked down, as in short-tempered cops patrolling the city, bellowing out from their cruisers: "Get the hell off the street!"

But at the decidedly downscale Johnny White's, a clutch of regulars remain defiantly perched on their stools at the tiny, knife-scarred bar, joined here by an influx of hurricane refugees who have managed to wash ashore at a saloon that sailed through the storm with all its facilities intact. "The beer's warm," shrugs one bearded, funky-smelling patron. "But have one on me."
<snip>
http://tinyurl.com/a5ep4

Ah, The Big Easy! Someday, I will visit you, cher.

[Dem Agog]

1. what a nice read, further down...

the stranded people who are sick and ailing are truly the headlines, but in the midst of all that there are some folks trying to get back to normal, not looking for anything but to try to get opened back up.

we'll be heading back to new orleans as soon as they're ready for us... i promise that. i want a drink at johnny white's.

[Buns_of_Fire]

2. Vignettes like this convince me -- New Orleans ain't going anywhere

I admit, I had my doubts a few days ago. But now I realize that New Orleans isn't the buildings -- it's the people.

See you at Johnnie White's (as soon as they fix the beer cooler). :toast:

[tabasco]

3. I used to hang out in the French Quarter ...

a quarter-century ago.

I have decided to revisit and have a beer at this bar. It sounds like the kind of place I used to hang out. Not touristy, cheap beer, and good music.

New Orleans ain't going anywhere. She is part of our past and our future.

[bee]

4. Long live the spirit of New Orleans

:toast:

[DoYouEverWonder]

5. OMG, this is why I love New Orleans

I've hang out in some of those joints. Now I've got to go cry.

[KyndCulture]

6. Hastert rhymes with bastard! hahahahah AMEN!