In September 2003, Tina and I were in New Orleans and we spent an evening in Pat O'Brien's Irish Bar in St. Peter's Street. Everything about the pub was exactly like all the small town session pubs that we had visited many times in Counties Mayo, Cork, Galway, Clare, Limerick and Kerry.
Just like all these west of Irelend pubs, it had a huge outdoor garden with masses of exotic plants that thrived in the oppressively humid sweltering heat. The large garden was dominated by a huge fire and water fountain that was surrounded by multi-coloured floodlights. There were huge koi carp in the pond underneath the fountain. You found a seat and then you were served jugs of beer and a couple of glasses by seriously hip waiters and waitresses. On one side of the garden was a large stage with a first class sound system. A tall black diva crooned cocktail jazz ballads to excellent piano accompaniment.
Everything about it reminded me of the craic that we have enjoyed on our visits to The Emerald Isle.
Click here to see us enjoying this totally authentic experience.